Page 71 of Make You Mine

Violet approached me, shifting the baby in her arms. “It’s so pretty in here, Piper. I’m happy for you! Jake is working, he said to congratulate you and keep you away from Dana.”

One of my grandma’s friends walked up, joining our impromptu circle. “Hey, sugar! When are we going to see you with Cody at the dog park? We miss you.”

I forced a smile. “Soon, I hope. Things have been busy lately, with the bakery opening and everything.”

She nodded understandingly, her eyes scanning the room. “I totally get it. This place is going to be great, Piper. Everyone in town will love it. I’m going to grab a sample. It smells so good in here.”

“Gah! I’m sorry,” Violet whispered. “Jake will have this all handled soon, I know it.”

“I hope so. He told me he’s filed papers and thinks I have a good chance—oh shit.”

Richard appeared at the door with Cody, and my eyes welled with tears. “Violet. Oh. Look. It’s Cody.” Tears filled my eyes, and I blinked several times to get them to stop. “What’s wrong with me?” I laughed to cover my emotional response. “He’s okay. I know I don’t have to worry, but?—”

“Call him,” she bit out.

“What?” I swiped a hand beneath my eye, sending Paige and my sisters a tremulous smile as they headed my way.

Dana rushed from behind the counter, making sure I saw her as she headed to greet Richard and Cody. “Thank you, Richie! You brought my baby to see my big opening day!”

“Her baby?That witch,” Paige muttered, wrapping an arm around my waist.

“Herbig opening day?” Lucy snarked. “I’m bringing Larry by later for a snack.”

“Do it, Piper. Call Cody,” Violet repeated.

“Oh yeah,” Grandma agreed. “Call him now. Or I will.”

As friendly as ever, Cody stood at Richard’s side, looking around the room with his tail wagging furiously as he recognized many of his human friends from the dog park.

“Cody,” I called, smiling when he started excitedly barking. “Cody!”

He barked louder, started whining, and tugged at the leash. He yipped frantically until he got away and made a beeline for me, the leash trailing behind him.

My heart leapt at his enthusiasm. He was my doggie soul mate, and I had missed him so much. I knelt, holding my arms wide as he bounded toward me. He jumped, wiggling and bopping around me, licking my face with his tail wagging so fast it was a blur.

“I missed you, too, boy!” I laughed, hugging him tightly as the room filled with warm laughter.

“Guess we’ll be seeing you tomorrow at the dog park, sugar!” Grandma’s friend hollered.

“You sure will,” I called back. There was no way I would let him go home with Richard. It was my damn turn now.

“It was so nice of you to keep Cody while Piper set up the bakery,” My mother said, sidling up to Richard’s side. “Especially after everything that happened. I love how you’re keeping it classy.”

“Uh, yeah. It was no big deal,” he muttered, exchanging a glance with Dana.

At that moment, Ren returned to my side. “Hey, Cody.” He knelt next to me to pet him.

Cody barked happily at Ren. As he scratched behind his ears, I stood up and brushed off my knees, feeling a calmness in my heart that had been gone for far too long. I’d missed him so much.

Ren rose to his feet, giving Cody one last pat as he picked up the leash and held it firm, signaling to Richard not to argue. “We’ve got him now,” he addressed Richard. “It’s time for you two to relax. Take it easy.”

“Yeah.” I smiled at Dana. “Thank you for watching him for me. And thank you for making opening day so lovely.”

“We’ve got it from here,” Lucy chimed in.

“Yeah,” Eliza added. “Why don’t you two take the rest of the day off?”

“Go get some lunch or something,” Cara suggested. “The Pennywhistle has spotteddickon special—it’s a British theme today. I think you’d love it.”

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