gave her. You have to try it. She even makes her own mayo for it.”
“I will,” she said, piling it on her plate. It was made with red potatoes, eggs, and plenty of mayo as promised.
They took a seat at a small table under some trees where it was a bit quieter. It had a clear view of the lake. The outdoor lights reflected across the dark water with a dreamlike quality.
“I see your dad made it,” she said.
Logan nodded but said nothing.
Shelby dug into the creamy potato salad and was not disappointed. “There are so many people here,” she said. “I’ve never seen most of them.”
“My dad invites some of his important clients to entertain, and my parents’ friends often drive or fly up from the Bay Area for this event. They’re fairly easy to spot from the locals.”
Shelby grinned. Many of the guests were quite well dressed, and champagne was being served on trays going by, as well as crab-stuffed appetizers and shrimp puffs. Not your usual Fourth of July party. She turned when she heard her grandmother’s sweet laugh behind them. Theo, in a crisp button-down shirt, sat alongside Alice. Shoulder to shoulder, they were obviously enjoying each other’s company. It looked like Theo had his hand over Alice's as they talked.
“Looks like they’re falling for each other,” Logan said with a wink.
Shelby’s heart warmed seeing them both happy again. She looked around at the beautiful scene that she was lucky enough to be a part of. She was with Logan. The charcoal-colored sky indicated that the fireworks were going to start soon, and they’d already started in her heart. Happiness was no longer throwing its shadow over her; it was shining its light.
“You look lovely tonight,” Theo said to Alice. She seemed to have a glow about her now, and he hoped he had a little to do with that.
“Well, thanks. You look pretty good yourself.”
Theo could feel himself blush. It had been a long time since a woman had given him a compliment. When he’d first arrived tonight, he’d walked around and said hello to many of the other guests. But the party had really started when Alice arrived, and he was happy they could get some more alone time.
The fireworks across the lake were gaining volume and Theo heard dogs barking anxiously in the distance. "I'm a little worried about Wally tonight," Theo said. "He hates loud noises.”
“Poor baby,” she said. “We don’t have to stay long. Scarlett isn’t fazed by anything. But if you want to leave soon…”
“Wally will be all right for a couple hours. I put him in his cozy kennel where he feels safe and added a few of his favorite treats to tempt him. And I’m enjoying sitting right here with you.”
A smile lit Alice’s face. “Me too. Did Wally get his appetite back yet?”
“I don't want to worry anyone. Dogs can be fussy, but he's hardly eaten at all the last few days but a few treats. Today even that didn’t interest him.”
"Have you thought about bringing him to the vet?" Alice asked.
Theo’s heart dropped at the thought that anything might be wrong with Wally. "Some,” he said. “It might be all the excitement around the house. I think I’ll wait until after the grand opening party for the dog park. Sometimes he seems fine, and others not. I know he's an old man, like me,” he said with a smile.
Alice laughed. “Well, you let me know. I’m happy to go with you if you want."
“Thanks for the offer,” Theo said. “I hope Trevor is fairing all right tonight. I haven’t seen Mindy either.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Alice said. “The fireworks must be hard on veterans. Mindy told me she wasn’t up to a big gathering either.”
“Trevor told me he has a routine for times like this and some exceptional headphones. I offered to bring some food by, but he said he had it covered.”
Suddenly, a shaggy brown and white dog with its tail between his legs galloped furiously up to the deck. A firework went off and the dog howled before cowering under a table. Theo rose to assist the dog, but before he could get to it, Gabe rushed in and pulled the dog into his arms. Shelby and Logan were not far behind and ran to Gabe’s side. Theo and Alice joined them.
“I wonder who that dog belongs to?” Alice said. “Let’s go see if we can help.”