space to Gabe. The poor dog was curled up in Gabe’s arms with his head on the boy’s shoulder. Anthony DeLuca walked over and stood in front of his son. “Where did this dog come from?” he said.
Gabe glared up at him. “He’s scared.”
“Well, he doesn’t belong here,” Anthony said. “You know our rule about dogs.”
Theo was surprised when Shelby spoke up. “Mr. DeLuca, I’m your neighbor across the street, Shelby, Alice Meyer’s granddaughter.”
“She’s my friend too,” Logan said, standing up to his father.
“Is this your dog?” Mr. DeLuca asked Shelby.
She shook her head. “No, but I know where he lives, and I would be happy to take him home right now.”
“I’ll go with her,” Gabe said.
“And me,” Logan echoed.
Theo wished he could intervene and help them out, but he had no idea what to say. Alice gripped his hand as they waited for Anthony DeLuca to make a decision.
Anthony looked around and forced a smile to his guests. “Everything is fine here. Enjoy yourselves.”
People backed away and conversations echoed in the air.
“Logan can go,” Anthony finally said. “But it’s dark out there, so come right back.”
“The dog feels safe with me,” Gabe protested. “I’m going too.”
Their father shook his head and sighed. “Just be quick. You boys are supposed to be helping at the party.”
Logan opened his mouth to say something and then closed it. Theo had a pretty good idea what he wanted to say. There was more hired help at this party than Theo had seen in any restaurant in town. The dog looked terrified, which made Theo think about Wally again.
Anthony turned back to his guests as if nothing had happened. Theo was glad when Alice spoke up. “Shelby, please let us know as soon as you return, and if you need anything, we’re here.”
Theo nodded in agreement and was graced by a grateful smile from Shelby.
Logan held up his cell phone and turned on the flashlight app. “We’ll be fine.”
“And right back,” Gabe said.
Theo and Alice watched them walk down to the footpath that led to summer homes along the lake.
“That was nice of them to take that dog home,” Alice said.
Eleanor and her husband approached them. "Well, you've got quite the granddaughter there,” Eleanor said. “She even knows the stray dogs in town!”
"Yes," said Alice. "I'm very proud of her."
“We both are,” Theo chimed in.
"It's nice to have some family nearby, isn't it?” Eleanor said wistfully. She gazed up at her husband. "I sometimes miss ours, but we do love it here, don’t we?"
Her husband nodded. "I think I could use a glass of wine about now.”
“And one of those char-grilled burgers. The aroma is driving me crazy,” Eleanor said.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” asked her husband.
"Getting hungry myself," Theo said. He looked to Alice. “Shall we join them?”
They walked over to the buffet table and picked up plates and buns. Anthony DeLuca was nearby flipping the burgers. He looked almost like a regular guy when he was in his shorts grilling.
"What kind would you like?” Anthony asked as they held up their plates. “I've got medium rare or well done.”
"I'll have the well done," Theo said.
Alice groaned. "Medium rare for me.”
They walked over and put all the fixings and sides on. At the end of the table was a punch bowl of sangria, with limes and fresh berries floating on the surface. Alice filled up her cup with the fragrant drink.
"I think I'll have a beer," Theo said, reaching into one of the many overstocked coolers.
Behind them, Eleanor and her husband had started a conversation with another couple. They seemed to know everyone in town, Theo thought. Probably because of her political experience and being quite the socialite.
Plates full, glasses in hand, Theo suggested they go back to their table under the trees. "It’s a real treat to eat food that someone else cooks for a change, and homemade to boot,” Theo said.
"Well, we can fix that," Alice said. "You can come over for dinner anytime. In fact, why don't you come over the night after we do the grand opening? The three of us, and the dogs, can celebrate with a special dinner."
"I'd love to," Theo said.
Alice held up her cup for a toast. "It's a date.”
A barge containing fireworks floated a few hundred feet from the DeLucas’ deck. After a quick announcement, the show began. Whistling fireworks shot up into the sky in an astounding array of colors. Theo looked over to Alice’s joy-filled face, lit up by the lights