Page 50 of Easton Island: A Wedding to Remember

Chester leapt forward, easily catching it.

She worked her way through the box, tossing toys up, all of them donated by Morgan, letting Chester catch them.

Quinn clapped her hands. “We were right. These two know each other and are more than likely siblings.”

“I think it’s safe to let them play unsupervised.”

“Chester…Esther.” Quinn dropped to her knees. “Come here, girl.”

The dog promptly dropped the toy and trotted over, rubbing up against her leg. “She answers to the name.”

“Esther,” Ariel repeated. “It’s a great Biblical name.”

“Esther…Esther,” Quinn sing-songed. “I like it much better than Can-dee.”

“Me too.” Morgan patted her stomach. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to dig into our Mexican feast.”

The friends grabbed plates and began filling them with food. Along with Morgan’s tacos and chips and cheese were enchiladas, tostadas, tamales and Ariel’s homemade guacamole.

Grace dipped her chip in the queso and took a big bite. “Speaking of names…have you named your new home?”

“The cottage?” Quinn asked.

She nodded.

“No. Although I would like to call it something other than the Mentschler place.”

They took turns throwing out contenders, all of which, for one reason or another, missed the mark.

Quinn polished off the rest of her tostada. “I might have an idea.”

The women finished their food and stashed the leftovers in the fridge before following her out the back door and down the steps.

Esther, with Chester hot on her heels, dashed past. Side by side, the pups began sniffing around the flower bed, or what was left of it.

“The monarch butterflies love these flowers.” Quinn tapped the top of the blooming fall asters.

“Call it Monarch Cottage,” Morgan suggested.

Ariel snapped her fingers. “What about Monarch Meadow?”

“It’s not really a meadow.”

“More like a mini meadow,” Grace said. “I think it fits.”

“Monarch Meadow it is.” Quinn corralled the pups, coaxing them back inside. “The night is still young. I was thinking we could swing by Harbor Dockside. They have a new band playing tonight.”

“I wouldn’t mind taking a walk.” Grace lifted both hands over her head in a long stretch. “I need to burn off a taco or two.”

While Quinn tracked down the bar’s event calendar, Morgan, Grace and Ariel took turns freshening up in the bathroom.

Quinn was the last to take a break. She grabbed her jacket from the hook and caught up with her friends by the door. “The band is starting their first set in about fifteen minutes.”

“What happened to Chester and Esther?” Morgan asked.

Grace held a finger to her lips. “Over there.”

Tiptoeing around the couch, Morgan’s heart melted when she found Chester and Esther curled up side by side, their paws overlapping and fast asleep.

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