Page 16 of Loving Hard on the Highway

“It’s all taken care of,” the vet said. “We get some pretty generous donations for these things.”

I was relieved that the vet hadn’t said it was me. I didn’t want Gabbie to feel any obligation.

“That’s amazing,” she murmured, as though that meant everything. Maybe it did. “Faith in humanity restored.”

I reached out then, one hand steadily rubbing Ollie’s head, the other inadvertently brushing against Gabbie’s arm. She didn’t move away but moved in closer.

“You’ve got yourself a labradoodle,” the assistant chimed in.

“I can’t believe someone abandoned him.” Gabbie shook her head.

“Their loss,” I said as Ollie licked my finger. “He’s got us now.”

Gabbie looked at me and smiled. It was a soft, surprised smile that made her cheeks flush.

And just like that, in a clinic surrounded by pets, their owners, and quiet worry, something small and specific settled between us.

We left the vet clinic with a small carrying kennel, a stash of puppy food, a couple of chew toys, and a puppy collar with a tag that read “Ollie” on the front and my phone number on the back.

We went to Kathy’s Diner for some much needed breakfast before hitting the road. Gabbie had Ollie tucked in her bag, with his little head poking out, as if this were the most natural thing for the two of them.

“Now this is something,” I said as we stepped into the 50s style diner, with its red retro seats and checkerboard floor, complete with old vinyl hanging on the wall.

“How’s life treating you, sugar?” a waitress withKathyon the tag asked shortly after we found our seats. The pink 50s style outfit was perfectly on brand.

“I hope it’s okay to have him in here,” Gabbie said.

“Oh, he’s fine,” Kathy smiled. “If anyone complains, just tell them the owner said to come see her. Now what’s good?”

Gabbie was relieved. “I’ll have anything with blueberries—muffins or pancakes. I need my fix.”

“I can fix you up a short stack of blueberry pancakes, sugar. Anything else?” Kathy asked.

“Bacon and a side of hash browns.”

“And I’ll take the Hearty Breakfast,” I added. “And an unseasoned chicken breast for Ollie.”

“Don’t you all make the perfect little family?” She grinned at Ollie before heading off to the counter.

I wasn’t about to dispute what she said, because I low-key liked the idea. A crazy thought since I’d only known Gabbie for one weekend. But she really was enchanting.

We were halfway through our breakfast when I brought something up that I had found fascinating.

“I found something last night after you fell asleep,” I said, handing her my phone.

Her jaw dropped, and she smiled when she saw the InView video of Water’s Edge playing live at the Rosetta Valley WIFE Festival last summer. She hit play, and there was the songHolding On, being sung by her brother-in-law, Mateo. It wasn’t the best recording, but it was the entire song.

“Oh, my gosh!” Gabbie lit up. “I hadn’t realized the band uploaded to social media. My sister never mentioned it.”

She listened to the entire song, humming and partially singing along, with the most peaceful smile on her face. “I can’t wait to get back home. They have festivals like this in Rosetta all the time.”

“I know. My brother is always trying to get me to go with him and his daughter. I would have if I’d known the music was this good.”

Gabbie handed me back the phone when the song ended. I scrolled, then hit play, handing it back to her.

“I also found this after going down a rabbit hole.” I gave her a sly smile.

She returned a curious glance, then went wide-eyed when she saw an even rougher video from five years ago. She was singing with none other than a rising star named Faye Quinn.

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