Avery laughed. “I think a dog would be great. Can you give us some time to get settled and then we can figure out the best kind that works for us?”

  “Yay,” Josie said, doing a fist pump. “Can I name it?”

  “Sure,” she said. “And you’ll have responsibilities too. It’s not just a toy to cuddle with.”

  “I know,” Josie said. “But I want a puppy on my bed too.”

  Carter looked at Avery and saw the roll of her eyes. “I suppose I should figure out if there are breeders on this island or anyone who is having puppies. My guess is a big fat no.”

  “Someone’s dog is always getting into trouble,” he said. “If you don’t care the breed you get.”

  “I’ll figure it out. Mixed breeds and full breeds have their pros and cons. As I’m sure you know.”

  He did. He’d searched far and wide to find Dopey and had to drive to Virginia to get him. He went back to the same breeder for Doc too.

  “Not as much as you by any means,” he said.

  He looked over and saw Josie start to yawn.

  “Are you ready to go, Josie? I know it’s been a long day,” Avery said. “We arrived early this morning, unpacked, ate, got groceries and have been running nonstop.”

  “Your first night on the Amore Island,” he said. “Hope it’s a peaceful one.”

  She smiled at him again. At least she didn’t think his words were silly. “Thank you once again. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you.”

  “You will,” he said and watched the two of them leave, then went back to work. He’d get these sinks in for her and then come back tomorrow and make sure the rest of the place was set to go. It was the last of the work he’d seen to be completed or what he signed up to do.

  Now he had to figure out how to get this woman out of his head while he worked. Something he’d never had a problem with before.

  4

  Quiet Awkward Way

  “This is a cute place,” Laine said the next day. It was eight in the morning and Laine’s shop opened at ten, but she stopped over to visit.

  “It is,” Avery said. “Not as large as my last place and the room for Josie is not as big, but she is happy she is getting the whole upstairs.”

  “That does make up for it. She’s still sleeping?” Laine asked.

  “Yes. She normally gets up earlier but is hard to get out of bed. She’d rather lie there and watch TV or read. Yesterday was a crazy long day for her and I’m letting her go for now. We’ll go get her paint for her room later and get that knocked out, then she can put all her clothes and other things away.”

  “I’m sorry again about Colleen,” Laine said. “I remember her being so full of life and fun to be around when she visited you in college.”

  “Yeah,” she said. She and Colleen had gone to different colleges for obvious reasons. It’s not like there were a lot of veterinary colleges around and Colleen went where she got the most financial aid.

  Avery had student loans, but they weren’t crazy high, as her mother helped out to an extent.

  “You look good,” Laine said.

  “Thanks,” she said. “Life is so different than I thought it’d be at this point in my life.”

  “You thought you’d be married by now, I know,” Laine said.

  “At thirty-two, yeah. Or at least close to it. But I’ve got a child to raise so I guess that is close enough.”

  “You were closer than me and then Kurt turned out to be such an asshole,” Laine said.

  “Don’t remind me,” she said. “I wish I hadn’t wasted three years of my life with him.”

  “He didn’t want kids?” Laine asked.

  The two of them were in the kitchen where they walked through. She started to make coffee for her and her friend.

  “He wanted them,” she said. “But only his kids. He said he didn’t sign up to raise someone else's.”

  “Asshole,” Laine said, fixing her coffee with cream when Avery handed it over.

  “Colleen never liked him so I guess in the end it worked out.”

  Her best friend always said there was something about Kurt she didn’t care for but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Avery should have listened more carefully.

  “Now you’re here on the island and starting over,” Laine said. “Not that the circumstances of you getting to this point were wonderful, but I am glad you’re here. I think you’ll love it here. It’s a nice quiet lifestyle.”

  “I need it,” she said. “This past year, it was too much.”

  “How is your mother doing?”

  “Great,” she said. “I still feel guilty moving and leaving the care of my grandmother to her now, but she pushed me to go. I know she has it covered.”

  “Like mother, like daughter,” Laine said. “I’m thrilled you let me help out. I know how much you hate having anyone do anything for you. You never said why, but I know your mother is the same way.”

  Her grandmother needed full-time care for many health issues. Though her grandmother was fully aware of what was going on, she’d had a massive stroke years ago and couldn’t get around on her own.

  Her mother had retired from the State a few years ago to care for her mother. Her childhood home had been equipped for wheelchair access as her grandmother could only walk for so long. A few steps here and there.

  She’d always been raised to care for those you love and it was never a doubt in her mind Josie would have to come first in her life after Colleen’s death.

  Kurt couldn’t and wouldn’t accept that and it was better they ended things when they had.

  “My father was kind of a dick,” Avery said. “He was selfish and didn’t ever help my mother out with anything. I know they fought about it. My mother ended up doing it all on her own and she’d told him he might as well leave as he served no purpose if she was supporting him.”

  Probably not the best memories to have as a kid, but it was what she had.

  “You get your strength from her,” Laine said. “But that doesn’t mean you need to get your stubbornness from her.”

  “I know. She’d agree too, but it’s the pot calling the kettle there.”

  “Let’s talk about more cheerful topics. What colors are you putting in this place?”

  She laughed. “Josie is picking out her bedroom colors. Well, just her bedroom. The extra room we are doing one wall in blackboard paint and then she’s going to put murals on the other three walls.”

  Laine clapped her hands quietly. “A girl after my own heart.”

  “Yes. I told you she likes to paint and draw. I’d like to sign her up for lessons with you if I can.”

  “Of course,” Laine said. “I’ve got a kids’ class that starts in September one night a week or we can do one-on-one lessons.”

  “How about both if she is interested?” she asked. “I think she’d benefit from the group one to meet kids. The one-on-one because I think she needs that in her life too.”

  “Then that is what we’ll do,” Laine said. “And what about down here for you? Did you decide on colors?”

  “I’m leaving it white,” she said. Laine wrinkled her nose. “I’m going to add color with artwork. Maybe a picture of yours here or there.” Laine laughed. “I also told Josie we will frame what she does and hang it up.”

  “That’s so sweet,” Laine said. “I’ve got a housewarming gift for you. It’s not done yet. Part of me wanted to see the colors in the house before it was complete, but I guess it doesn’t matter if it’s all staying white.”

  “Not really,” she said. “And thank you.”

  “When are you going to the clinic? I expected you’d be there today.”

  “We went last night for a bit. I need to focus on getting Josie set up in the house today. I met Carter last night. Scared the crap out of me when I saw the truck and the door unlocked.”

  “Ohhhhh,” Laine said. “What did you think of him?”

  It was the look in Laine’s eye that had her laughing. “He’s kind of cute in a quiet awkward way.”

  “He is,” Laine said. “Totally not my type. I like my men a little more outgoing. I’ve talked to Carter a few times when he’s done work on my car. You get the facts and nothing more.”

  She wouldn’t say that Carter didn’t know Laine’s name. No reason to do that.

  “I can appreciate that,” Avery said. “I was probably talking more than I should have, but he walked me around. I can’t believe the amount of work it looks as if the island put into the building.”

  “I’m sure it made you uncomfortable and you feel indebted.”

  “A little,” she said. “But I told myself if they want me to start working right away, it needed to be done before that.”

  “Thank Carter,” Laine said. “I’m on the town board, you know that. But he pushed hard. He got the Bond Trust to put a lot of money in for the bigger ticket items, then organized the group and work to be done.”

  “Really?” she asked. “For a stranger?” Talk about going above and beyond.

  “He loves his dog. Did you meet Dopey?”

  “I did. A beautiful dog. He says he’s got a puppy named Doc at home.”

  Laine started to laugh. “I’m not surprised he got another one. Dopey hangs out at the garage with him all day. He’s loose and the customers are used to him. I’d think a puppy would be too much there.”

  “I bet he has the puppy with him too. I think he works a lot and is not the type to leave a puppy home alone. Unless he’s married or living with someone.”

  She wasn’t sure why that popped into her head.

  “Nope,” Laine said. “Single as can be. As a business owner on the island, and he has a lot of clients, I’m sure he doesn’t have a lot of time for a woman or what time he has he spends with his dogs.”

  “It happens,” Avery said. “I know that feeling. I barely have time to breathe and when I do I’m caring for Josie now. I’m going to have to learn to run a business on top of it. Though I always wanted my own practice I didn’t think it would happen like this and almost starting from scratch.”

  She did have that fear, but Dr. Mullins was going to sit down with her on Wednesday after all the clients were taken care of.

  “You’ll figure it out. I would say I can help you, but I’m not sure how much. Billing and stuff for you is much different than what I deal with.”

  “I’ve got software that I’m familiar with,” she said. “I already purchased it and three laptops. I’m going to spend time hooking that up and getting the new staff to log in the existing patients as it happens and then set new ones up. Carter assured me there are a lot more pets on the island than what is at the clinic now.”

  “Most definitely,” Laine said. “A lot are used to the way of life having to go off island for things and just do it. It will be nice to not have to if they don’t want to though.”

  “It will work out,” she said. “I have to put one foot in front of the other and let it play out.”

  “The best attitude to have,” Laine said. “What do you want to know about the island? You haven’t asked me much and I’m surprised.”

  “I know,” she said. “I normally plan things out more, but when you reached out, I’d had a bad day and decided I needed to do it.”

  “A bad day with Kurt?” Laine asked.

  “No. We were done at that point. I told you that,” she said. “Months prior.”

  “Anything you want to share?” Laine asked.

  “Nothing specific. Just still grieving Colleen. Trying to get through to Josie. It’s coming along. The lawsuit. Everything at once. It’s like there hasn’t been a break and maybe I was having a meltdown myself.”

  She knew there was a big part of her that didn’t give herself a break. She was going nonstop without doing one thing for herself.

  Nothing. Not a spa day. No shopping. Not getting her nails done or a pedicure.

  A glass of wine would be a splurge at this point in her life.

  All those things she’d done with Colleen for the two of them to pamper themselves and disconnect with life. She couldn’t bring herself to do them alone.

  She was feeling sorry for herself and her life and then guilty that she was.

  She supposed she was entitled to a meltdown from time to time. She hadn’t even grieved the end of her over-three-year relationship.

  What she felt was anger and it all built.

  “No one would fault or question that, Avery. Be kind to yourself.”

  “I know,” she said. She turned when she saw Josie standing behind her rubbing her eyes. “Hey, honey. Did we wake you?”

  “No. I had to go pee and I’m hungry,” Josie said. “Who are you?”

  Avery laughed. Josie was like her mother and never pulled punches with words.

  “I’m Laine. I’m the one who told Avery about the job here. I hope you enjoy living on the island.”

  “I think I will,” Josie said. “And Avery told me I can get a puppy.”

  Laine looked at her and winked. “I think that’d be wonderful.”

  “Josie, Laine is an artist. She owns a studio on the island. She paints and gives lessons and does group events. She also does pottery and ceramic classes.”

  “Can kids do those things?” Josie asked, hopping around as if she still had to pee.

  “Yes,” Laine said. “Avery was telling me you like to draw and paint. Can I see some of what you’ve done?”

  Josie turned and ran to her room without a word, her feet pounding on the stairs. “I take it that’s a yes,” she said. “I’m going to start making her pancakes. It’s her favorite. Would you like some?”

  “Who could turn down pancakes?” Laine said.

  Josie returned with two of her sketch pads. “Here are some,” Josie said. “One is only for black and white or pencil drawings. The other is color. I’ve got more upstairs that I painted and can go get them.”

  “Let’s look at these,” Laine said, lifting the cover. “Wow. You’ve got some serious talent.”

  Avery looked at Laine’s face and saw the shocked look. Her friend wasn’t just being nice, but being honest.

  “Really?” Josie asked. “My mom always told me I’d be famous someday.”

  “You can be or do anything you want,” she said to Josie.

  “I’m going to so that my mom is proud of me,” Josie said.

  Avery sniffled a little. “Your mother was so proud of you and you know she still is.”

  “Yes,” Josie said. “She always told me too.”

  “You know she constantly bragged about your artwork to me when we were getting our nails done.”

  Josie looked down at her fingers and toes. “Can we go and get them done? I’ve never had it before, but I think it’d be fun.”

  Avery wasn’t sure why it never occurred to her to bring Josie. It might be what they both needed.

  “Is there any place on the island for that?” she asked Laine.

  “Yes. In the strip mall not far from here there is one place. There are a few places that do it scattered about that are salons, but that is one of those walk-in places.”

  “Then I think that is what Josie and I need to do today after we pick out the paint for your room. What do you think, Josie?”

  “I think it’s fun living on this island,” Josie said. “Now I’m going to get my paintings for you to see too.”

  “Thank you,” she said to Laine when Josie ran out of the room again.

  “Avery, she’s got talent. Has she had any lessons?”

  “No,” she said. “She draws what comes to her.”

  “Damn,” Laine said. “I hope I can do her justice.”

  “I know you can,” she said. Laine was pretty famous in her own right but never boasted about her artwork being in galleries in Boston, New York City and LA.

  “You tell me when you’re ready to get started on lessons, but she is way more advanced than my kids’ groups.”

  “It’s more about socializing,” she said. “That is what she needs too.”

  “Got it,” Laine said.

  Josie brought down four pieces of large paper and set them on the table. “I did these a few weeks ago. My last few pieces living in Danbury.”

  Avery turned her head sharply. “That is why you did so many?”

  “I wanted to remember things that were important to me,” Josie said.

  “We’ll go back and you know it,” she said.

  “I know. But when I paint, I just feel...I don’t know. Happy.”

  Laine reached her hand out and pulled the painting of a meadow and flowers closer. “This is a very happy and cheerful picture. Is this a place you’ve been?”

  “My mom used to take me there. I wanted to remember it. Can I use that as a mural on the wall upstairs?” Josie asked.

  “Anything you want,” Avery said, her throat almost closing up with the emotions.

  “I’ve got paints that will work better than what you can get at the hardware store,” Laine said. “Why don’t I bring them over this week?”

  “Thank you,” Josie said. “Can I hug you? I like to hug, but my mom said I always have to ask first.”

  Laine opened her arms, her eyes a little misty too. You couldn’t help but fall in love with this little girl. “You can hug me, Josie.”

  Avery looked over at Laine and nodded her head. Now her friend knew why she would do anything to make Josie happy.

  5

  Had What It Took

  “You’re here early,” Carter said to his mother the next day.

  Dopey walked in and went to his normal spot, one of the three dog beds in the place. In the morning he was by the front door to greet people in the waiting room. Doc was on the leash and would go in her crate once he got to work, but for now she was trotting alongside of him.

  “I wanted to get a head start on everything,” his mother said. “You were slammed with calls yesterday and I was scheduling a bunch of things. I saw Alex did too. Since you’re here, my guess is you are ordering parts.”

  His mother knew how things went. She’d been running the office and paying the bills here since his grandfather had the garage. That was how his parents met. His grandfather hired his mother. Then his father took it over and now him.