Page 49 of Easton Island: A Wedding to Remember

“I have a box of almost new toys for Can-dee that Chester and I dug out of the attic.” Morgan opened the hatch and handed Grace a box.

She ran around the side to grab the housewarming gift, leaving her perplexed pup wondering why he was being left behind again. “I’ll be right back,” she promised.

Quinn stood on the edge of her sidewalk. “I see Chester is champing at the bit.”

“He’s excited to see you.” Morgan handed her the bag. “This is your official housewarming gift.”

Her friend reached inside and removed the custom cutting board. “It’s beautiful.”

“Do you like it?”

“I love it.” Quinn gently turned it over. “The colors remind me of Easton Island, the trees and the water.”

“Me too.”

She hugged her friend. “I’ll cherish it forever. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Morgan jabbed her finger toward her SUV. Chester’s small head peered out through the side window, watching their every move. “I better go get Chester. Do you think Can-dee and he will hit it off?”

Quinn lifted both hands, her palms pointed up. “There’s only one way to find out.”

Chapter 20

Chester flew up the porch steps, moving as fast as his little legs would carry him. Quinn lowered onto one knee, catching the pup in her arms.

She giggled as he wiggled and squirmed, his small pink tongue licking her hand and arm. “You act like you haven’t seen me in weeks. It’s only been hours.”

“But a lot longer in dog hours,” Morgan joked.

Quinn scratched his back. “Did Morgan tell you we have a surprise?”

Grace and Ariel waited nearby, keeping a firm grip on Can-dee, who warily watched Chester greet Quinn.

Woof.She let out a timid bark.

Chester froze. His ears shot up. The pup’s head swiveled back and forth, trying to figure out where the bark came from.

Quinn kept a steady hand on him and scooched to the side, giving Chester an unobstructed view of her living room and Can-dee.

The two looked at each other, unmoving, as if frozen in place.

“Well?” Morgan nudged her pup. “Why don’t you go over and say hello?”

Chester took off like a rocket, skittering across the floor.

Can-dee stood still, watching while he began prancing in front of her.

Woof. Woof.Chester barked loudly, a bark Morgan recognized when he was excited, like when neighbor Beatricebrought Mr. Pickles, her rabbit, over to play, or when he found a new piece of driftwood to add to his collection.

It was the same bark…a bundle of enthusiasm rolled up into one energetic ball of fur.

Can-dee slunk down, her front paws sliding forward…so close she was almost touching Chester. The two dogs, now paw to paw and at eye level, stared at each other.

Morgan held her breath, wondering what was going through their minds. It was almost like looking in the mirror.

In the blink of an eye, Chester sprang to his feet. He playfully batted at her. She batted back.

Can-dee ran to her new box of toys. Digging through the heap, she grabbed hold of a stuffed elephant and shook it before tossing it in the air.

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