Shelby could hear a voice whispering to her, "Stay where you are loved." She opened her eyes and could feel the tears forming. But they were happy tears.
“I’ve been afraid to really hope I’d get to stay here at the lake.” Shelby wiped away tears. “Choosing what brought me joy never felt right before. I do love my mother, but this time it’s different.”
"Let’s make a pact,” Mindy said. “I'll help you and you'll help me. I'm going to call my parents tonight and tell them. I can only imagine what they’re going to say. Then I’ll email my boss and tell him I'll work remotely. If that's not acceptable, I'll train my replacement."
"Good for you,” Shelby said. "I'm working on a plan for my grandmother to get temporary legal custody so I can go to school here. We’ll do whatever it takes.”
"We deserve to be happy," Mindy said, giving Shelby a high five. “On that note, I think I’d like to go back home and rest awhile.” She pushed herself up from the bench. “When we get back, you can take Karma on a long run and wear her out."
"I hope you’ll be joining us for that sometime soon," Shelby said.
After she brought Mindy home, Shelby and Karma took to the lake path, picking up their pace as they went. Colorful wildflowers releasing their sweet smell were sprinkled alongside the trail. Overhead, leaves danced in the breeze as it whipped through Shelby’s hair. Karma panted, her head high to catch the wind as they traversed the wooden bridge into the denser woods that wound behind the lake. Without a doubt, this was home.
Chapter 33
Theo woke up thinking about his wonderful time with Alice when they’d volunteered together a few days ago. He’d loved having her there watching him instruct the photo class. Sharing the soda after was the cherry on top. He laughed to himself at the pun.
As he went through his morning routine, his mind drifted to Trevor. The last time he’d seen him, he’d seemed a little withdrawn, and Trevor hadn't been to the last dog park meeting a few days ago. Eleanor had given Mindy a ride that day. Theo hadn't seen him around lately, not for an ice cream meet-up or even walking Buddy. Over the years since they’d first met, Theo had watched that young man plunge in and climb out of his PTSD symptoms. Something in his gut didn't feel right.
"Come on, Wally. Let's go and take a little walk over and visit your pal Buddy."
He leashed up the dog and they walked the five blocks down to Trevor's cabin. Theo knocked on the door and waited. When no one answered, his stomach knotted. Everything had been going so well. Then, the door creaked open. Trevor, unshaven and blurry-eyed, stood at the opening.
"Did I wake you?" Theo said.
Trevor pushed his mussed hair back from his forehead. "I’ve not been sleeping well.” Buddy joined Trevor at the door and Wally’s tail wagged furiously. “Do you want to come in?"
"If you don't mind."
“No problem,” Trevor said.
Inside, dishes were splayed across the coffee table and clothes crumpled over a chair. Buddy’s eyes never left Trevor as he wandered a bit aimlessly through the living room and then turned toward the kitchen.
"You want something to drink?" Trevor said. "I could probably use some coffee."
"I’ll just have water,” Theo said. “I’ve had my morning coffee.”
"Hope you don’t mind if I make myself a cup."
“Of course,” Theo said. He took a seat on one of the comfortable leather sofas. Wally lay at his feet. Buddy followed Trevor around the kitchen as he made coffee, never leaving his side. When Trevor handed him the glass of water, Theo noticed the man's hands shaking and he didn’t make eye contact. It was obvious Trevor wasn’t doing well, and Theo was glad he'd come over.
Trevor tossed some clothes aside, took a seat, and sipped his coffee. Buddy kept by his side.
"So what's going on?" Theo said, trying to sound casual.
"Not much. Working. Been busy with a new website design client."
"We haven't seen you around lately. Eleanor went over to pick Mindy up last time for the dog park gathering." At the sound of Mindy's name, he noticed Trevor twitch. "You and Mindy still doing okay?"
"What do you mean, doing okay?" Trevor snapped. "We were never really doing anything."
"Sorry. You two seemed to get along so well, and she's a great woman."