Page 95 of The Good Luck Cafe
“Doug is going to be the official dog walker for the Somerset Rental Cottages, and he’s going to be great at it. He’s going to be fine, Mom. Really.”
Her shoulders rounded. “Maybe I won’t be fine though. I’ll have an empty nest.”
“I’ll be right next door.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “You okay?”
She sniffled. “I was planning to yell at you, but I couldn’t because I know you’re right.”
Gil chuckled. “You want to tour Doug’s new home with us? I mean, it’s not official yet, but I think the place is a good fit for him.”
She leaned into his hug. “Yeah. I wouldn’t miss it. Maybe he’ll let me spruce the place up.”
Gil pulled back and gave her a questioning look. “You didn’t offer to spruce up my first place.”
“Well, I guess the secret is out. Doug is my favorite.”
Gil’s mouth fell open. “I knew it!”
“No, you didn’t.” She punched him softly. “You’re both my favorite. Do you want me to come next door and spruce up your house for you? Or do you have another woman in your life who can give the place a lady’s touch?” She raised her brows.
Gil let go of the hug and returned to drinking his coffee. “No comment,” he said, slipping back into mayor mode.
“Well, if you do, you should invite her over for dinner with the family. That would be nice. I would like to get to know Moira better.”
Gil sipped his coffee, smiling behind the rim. “Maybe I will invite her sometime.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Moira didn’t make rash decisions, but she had followed an impulse this morning and ended up at the animal shelter where she’d heard that Beth Chimes volunteered when she wasn’t running her private ranch. Apparently, the animal shelter worked closely with the ranch to ensure all the animals had a fair shot of finding their forever families.
Moira wanted to check on Beth one more time. She’d also kind of wanted to make sure that Molly had truly gotten adopted and wasn’t on the market for a new home after all. Moira hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the little puppy.
The woman at the front desk had sent her straight back when she’d told her that she wanted to volunteer with Beth.
Beth looked up with surprise as Moira entered the room. “Hi, Moira. What are you doing here?”
Moira shrugged. “You told me I was welcome to come help out anytime. I woke up today and just thought I’d come see if you needed anything.”
Beth tilted her head. “We’re always shorthanded. I was going to bathe all the dogs today and take them on walks.” She gestured at the kennels in the room. There were about fifteen or so, full of dogs and cats rustling around and checking out the room’s newest visitor.
Moira’s gaze ping-ponged from one to the next, but she didn’t see Molly. That was probably for the best. She didn’t know anything about caring for a dog. But she guessed she’d learn today. She made a show of rolling up her sleeves as she turned back to Beth. “I’m here to help.”
“These dogs can’t vote, you know. Most candidates would be volunteering where there are people who can sway the numbers.”
Moira supposed that was true. “Someone once told me that dogs make you a better human. I guess I figure a better human makes you a better mayor.” She shrugged. “Also, if I’m being honest, I was just looking for Molly.”
Beth offered a sympathizing look. “I’m sorry. She’s not here. She and her new owner are very happy with one another. You still want to spend your Saturday helping out?”
Moira nodded. “Absolutely.”
Beth narrowed her eyes. “You work at the emergency dispatch, right?”
Anuh-ohbubbled up in Moira’s chest. “That’s right. I’m one of several dispatchers.” She felt Beth’s eyes boring into her.
“You called me the other day, looking for a Cavalier. When I asked if I could put you on a list, you said no. Is that because you didn’t want me to know who you were? Because you were checking on me?”
Moira didn’t answer immediately. Instead she stood there, staring back at Beth at a loss for words.
Beth’s gaze dropped momentarily. “You were checking on me because I called the dispatch the other day.”
