“Of course.” She grabbed the leash, opened the crate, and took Penny out, walking her and the couple over to a fenced area where they could interact with the dog.

  Linc walked along with them but stayed out of the fenced area so it wouldn’t be crowded. Hazel noticed him frowning the entire time the couple played with Penny, until he finally walked away. She looked for him but didn’t see where he’d disappeared to.

  She wondered what had upset him? The couple—Cecilia and Kyle—were wonderful. They were both dog lovers and had recently gotten married and purchased their first house. They had a nice big backyard and were so excited about adopting a dog together. Cecilia had grown up with golden retrievers, so she was ecstatic when she saw Penny.

  They played with her for about thirty minutes, then wanted to walk around the parking lot with her, so Hazel leashed her and strolled with the couple.

  Cecilia and Kyle were lovely and sweet and obviously had taken a liking to Penny. They’d probably make amazing dog parents, providing they passed the home and reference checks.

  And if so, Hazel would lose another dog. The pack would lose another dog. But Penny would have a forever home. Which was awesome and fulfilling and would make everyone happy.

  She sighed, then continued to smile as the couple walked Penny around the grounds.

  When they got back to the penned area, Sandy was waiting for them.

  “I’m sorry to have to tell you both that someone has put in an application for Penelope ahead of you.”

  “Oh no,” Cecilia said, clearly disappointed. “We were definitely going to apply to adopt her.”

  “You can still do that,” Sandy explained, “and if the first application falls through, we’ll consider yours. In the meantime, we have another retriever I think you’d really love.”

  “All right.” Cecilia reluctantly handed Penny’s leash over to Hazel, and Cecilia and Kyle wandered off with Sandy.

  Just then, Linc made his way back over to her.

  “Where’d you disappear to?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “Wandered around to look at all the dogs. How’s it going?”

  “It’s going . . . weirdly. This couple really liked Penny, but before they could put in an application, someone else did. Only I didn’t show her to anyone else.”

  “Huh. That is weird. Maybe someone who met her at one of the other events?”

  “Maybe. But unlikely. I think I’ll go check out the applications.”

  But before she could, another person came by to inquire about Freddie, who wagged his tail and barked incessantly with glee. Linc offered to take Penny while she worked with the woman, who ultimately decided Freddie was too much for her and wandered off. And then someone else came by—a woman and man with a little girl who was just dying to hold Lilith.

  Lilith was not thrilled and gave some growls, which immediately turned off the little girl, who turned her attention to one of Sandy’s mixed-breed puppies.

  “You did that on purpose, Lilith,” Hazel said, reaching into the crate to scratch Lilith’s ears.

  “She’s very smart,” Linc said. “She knows a good thing when she sees one. She’s got an awesome backyard with a pool, great shade, and people who love her.”

  “Uh-huh. I told her from the very beginning this was a temporary situation.”

  Linc cocked his head to the side. “Right. You’re doing a stellar job trying to place these dogs with other families.”

  “Shut up. I’m doing my best here. It’s not my fault that Lilith is growly and Freddie is barky and Penny is—well, I guess we might be saying goodbye to Penny.” She fought the tears welling up in her eyes. But they were happy tears. They always were.

  Linc scooped his arm around her. “She’s not gone yet. Just because someone fills out an application doesn’t mean it’s an automatic yes, right?”

  “That’s very true. But oftentimes if people put in the effort to come to these events, they tend to be well qualified. I’d say we have about a ninety percent success rate with applicants.”

  “That’s great. And if Penny gets adopted, another amazing dog will come along for you to rescue and give lots of love to, right?”

  She laid her head on his shoulder. “Of course, you’re right. I have to stop getting so attached.”

  “Nothing wrong with getting attached. It’s what makes you who you are. If you didn’t care about these dogs then it wouldn’t hurt so much when you had to let them go. And if you didn’t have a heart as big as the state of Florida, you wouldn’t be as good at this fostering gig. But you do, so I guess the pain of losing them is part of it.”

  He’d summed up her entire heart in one statement. And complimented her as well. No wonder she—well, she sure appreciated the bejeebus out of him.

  “I’m going to go inside and get us some pizza and drinks. How does that sound?”

  “It sounds amazing. Thanks.”

  Linc went into the restaurant, so Hazel milled about, mingling with the visitors. She knew all of Sandy’s dogs, and she was familiar with one of the other rescue organizations that was there tonight, so she got a chance to talk up a lot of the dogs—and cats.

  But what she really wanted to do was see who had applied to adopt Penny, because it turned out that Cecilia and Kyle had fallen in love with Peg, Sandy’s golden retriever, and ended up filling out an application on her instead of on Penny. Which meant if the person or persons who had applied for Penny was approved, she’d lose her sweet golden.

  Which was fine, of course. Totally fine. That’s what she was here for, after all. She’d gotten used to the revolving door of foster dogs. And if Penny got adopted, Hazel would be okay, because she’d know her sweet pup was going to be happy in her new home. Well, hopefully. She’d have to meet the people who wanted to adopt Penny first.

  Linc came back a while later with several pizzas and drinks for everyone working, so when they weren’t chatting with customers, they ate, which made Hazel so happy because she was starving. She ended up eating three slices of cheese pizza, then covered for Sandy, who hovered over the food table like she hadn’t eaten at all today, which she probably hadn’t.

  They wrapped up about nine and started loading the dogs and all the equipment into various cars, trucks, and vans. Once they had the pups loaded into the car and had the air conditioner running, Hazel left Linc to watch the dogs and walked over to Sandy’s van.

  “How did it go?” she asked.

  “Amazing. Six applications so far, and another two or three who said they’d come by the sanctuary this weekend.”

  “That’s outstanding.” She balanced on the balls of her feet, wanting to ask the question but knowing Sandy was likely anxious to get home. But she just couldn’t leave it alone. “So . . . you’ll let me know about Penny?”

  Sandy frowned. “Uh, sure. But . . . Linc talked to you about her, didn’t he?”

  “Linc. Why would Linc talk to me?”

  “Oh, uh, maybe you should ask him? Listen, I gotta go. We’ll chat tomorrow, okay?”

  Since Sandy was already climbing into the driver’s seat of her van, Hazel had no other choice but to nod. “Sure, we’ll talk.”

  She backed away and Sandy shut the door, effectively cutting off the approximately seventy-four questions she wanted to ask about why she should be talking to Linc about Penny.

  Then again, Linc was currently leaning against the side of the car looking at her, so maybe she should just ask him. She turned and made her way to the car, started to say something, then realized the pups were likely tired and hungry and this conversation could wait.

  “So, how was it?” he asked after they climbed into their seats and Hazel put the car into gear.

  “It was good. Lots of applications.”

  “That’s great news. Anything on your dogs?”

  “Just Penny. And why did Sandy tell me to ask you about her?”

  “Oh. Uh. Probably because I know the person who wants to adopt her. Pretty awesome guy.”

  “Really. Tell me more.”

  “I will when we get home. Any inquiries about the other dogs?”

  She wanted to ask more questions about the person who’d applied to adopt Penny, but that could wait. “Freddie and Lilith are an acquired taste, and a lot of people don’t have the patience or willingness to learn about and manage dogs who growl or bark.”

  He nodded. “That’s for sure. But they’re so lovable once you get past their barky, growly defenses. Too bad people are missing out on that.”

  He knew the dogs’ personalities so well. One of the things she lov—really liked about him.

  When they got home, she removed the pups’ harnesses and they immediately ran into the house, greeting Gordon and Mitzi, then the entire pack ran out into the backyard together.

  “I’m sure they’re happy to be home,” Linc said as he followed them outside. “Or, at least free to run the backyard.”

  He went to get them drinks from the guesthouse while Hazel put the harnesses and crates away. They met outside and sat at the table. She took a sip of the wine he’d poured for her, sighing in relief that today was over. And then it reminded her of something Sandy had said.

  “Okay, talk to me about the person who applied to adopt Penny.”

  He took a long swallow of his beer. “I put in an application to adopt her.”

  Hazel’s stomach did a weird flip-flop. “You what?”

  “Something came over me when that couple seemed like they wanted to adopt her. She and I have kind of bonded, ya know? I couldn’t imagine life without her.”

  And that weird flip-flop in her stomach gravitated to her heart. “You’re going to adopt Penny? How are you going to manage that with all the moving around you do?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll figure it out.”

  “And Sandy was okay with this?”

  “She said you’ll vouch for me and that’s good enough for her.”

  She gave him a stern look. “And what if I don’t?”

  “What if you don’t what?”

  “Vouch for you.”

  He laughed. “Seriously.”

  “I’m serious, Linc. I have genuine concerns about how you’re going to manage moving around the country and doing these home renovations with a sixty-pound golden retriever. And why wouldn’t you have talked to me about this first?”

  “Okay, I can see you’re upset about this, and you’re right, I should have discussed it with you first. It was totally impulse, brought about by the imminent thought of losing her. I acted without thinking, and I’m sorry for not talking to you about it.”

  All Linc’s talk about not wanting to lose her—her being Penny—made her feel some kind of way. Hazel wondered how he was going to feel when he walked away from her. Would it be easy for him, or would he have a crushing sense of loss? Because he sure had attached himself to Penny in a short period of time.

  Then again, who wouldn’t? And this wasn’t about her; it was about her dog. She needed to remember that.

  “So we should talk about how you’re going to handle traveling with Penny in tow, and how you’re going to live with her at your home base.”

  “My home base is a condo, and I’m hardly ever there. As far as Penny traveling with me, I’ll drive instead of fly wherever I’m going. Maybe I’ll buy an RV.”

  She cocked a brow. “You’re not serious.”

  “Why not?”

  “And then park it where?”

  “Wherever the hell I’m working. Or I’ll store it while I’m in whatever city I’m working in and rent a truck for the duration of my work there so Penny and I have a vehicle to ride around in.”

  She shot him a long look. “You have an answer for everything, don’t you?”

  “Honestly? I’m thinking on the fly here. But I’ll figure it out, Hazel, and I promise that it’ll be good for Penny. You know I’d never do anything to hurt her.”

  She did know that. She trusted him. But still, she hesitated, and she didn’t know why. Was it because she didn’t want to give Penny up, or was it something else?

  “You could always interview me,” he said.

  “What?”

  “Don’t you interview people who want to adopt the dogs?”

  “Yes, of course, but it’s not like I don’t know you.”

  “But do you know everything? This could be your opportunity to ask serious, in-depth questions.”

  She laughed. “About you having a dog?”

  He shrugged. “About anything you want to know, I guess.”

  “Hmm.” She leaned back and took a drink of her wine. “This could be interesting.”

  He stretched out his legs, running his hands over Penny when she came to him. When Penny did a few circles and lay down underneath him, Hazel knew that the whole Linc-and-Penny thing was a done deal. That dog loved him as much as he loved her.

  But the Q and A was still open, so she might as well dig in.

  “Did you have pets growing up?”

  He nodded. “Two dogs, a cat, and a rabbit. Not all at the same time. Oh, and a turtle.”

  “Nice. Who took care of them?”

  “When my brothers and I were all really young, mostly my mom and dad. But as we grew up we were given more responsibility for animal care. Taking them on walks, making sure they had food and water, cleaning their bowls or cages, giving them plenty of playtime—which for a kid was easy.”

  “And who was your favorite?”

  He frowned. “Aww, come on, Hazel. That’s like asking a parent who their favorite kid is.”

  She laughed. “Good answer.”

  “Was that a trick question?”

  “Maybe.” She took another long swallow of her wine. “What do you do when you’re in the middle of a date with a new woman, and your dog decides to throw up on your fancy rug?”

  He arched a brow. “Have you had this happen?”

  “I have yet to experience a date with a woman, nor have I ever owned a fancy rug, but the throwing up part during a party definitely happened to one of my friends.”

  “Ouch. Hope the poor dog was okay.”

  “Correct answer. And, yes, the dog was fine. He had eaten some gunk from the backyard that he shouldn’t have. The timing wasn’t awesome, but everyone at the party laughed about it since they all had either pets or kids.”

  “It happens. I think if you are going to have pets—or kids, for that matter—then you have to toss the idea of perfection out the window. If you’ve ever had some weird idea of perfection.”

  “I take it you don’t have that idea.”

  He let out a short laugh. “No, I don’t. I believe if you’re expecting perfection in any aspect of your life, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Life happens, and often that means disasters or things don’t always turn out the way you want them to, so you have to be willing to roll with it.”

  “I agree. Though I do believe that it’s okay to dream, and want your life to turn out the way you envision it.”

  He picked up her hand and started teasing his fingers along the top of it. “You’re talking about more than the perfect party.”

  “Of course I am. I mean to be able to plan for a future and have grandiose dreams about what that future might entail. And if it doesn’t turn out to be exactly that, it’s okay. We all deviate from the road set out in front of us. Well, maybe not everyone. I imagine some people have a dream or outline for their lives and it turns out exactly as they planned.”

  He swept his thumb over the top of hers, making it difficult for her to concentrate. Not that she was complaining. His touch set her a little haywire, and concentration was overrated anyway. “You know, I don’t think there are that many people whose lives turn out exactly as they plan. I think everyone has to pivot, even if it’s just a little bit.”

  “You’re probably right about that.” She paused and thought for a minute while enjoying the way he continued to touch her. “Did you? Have to pivot, I mean?”

  “Sure. When I was little I wanted to be an astronaut. Then a firefighter. Then a wrestler. None of that happened for me.”

  She laughed. “How sad.”

  “Seriously. But I did decide when I started college that I was going premed.”

  Her brows shot up. “Really. What made you want to be a doctor?”

  “Television. I watched a lot of medical shows, and the doctors were so suave and cool, not to mention all that lifesaving shit they did. Then I got into medical documentaries and saw all the real medicine that was being practiced and decided I really wanted to do it.”

  “What changed your mind?”

  “Too much work. The one thing I was always good at was doing my homework, research-wise. I didn’t want to be paying off student loans for the rest of my life, and to be honest, I just didn’t feel as committed.”

  “Maybe the TV aspect of it was more attractive than the reality of it?”

  He snaked his fingers up her arm, and she wondered if he even realized the effect he was having on her. “You’re absolutely right about that. And, besides, I decided I wanted to make money, and help other people do the same. That’s when I got interested in finance and business, which is probably boring as hell to most people.”

  “I don’t know about that, Linc. I think most people are very interested in making money. I know it’s what motivates me to get out of bed every day. If I make money, I get to eat. The dogs eat. We get a place to sleep at night. See? Very interested in money.”

  “Ha. You’re probably right. Anyway, we’ve gotten off the topic of my interview.”

  “You passed.”

  He looked genuinely excited. “I did? When?”

  “When you answered the first question. But it was still fun, and I’ve gotten to know a lot more about you.”