Page 16 of Bluebell Promises

Ben chuckled. “You’d be surprised. I’ve met many, many Gregs in my line of work.”

“Dogs named Greg?”

Ben shook his head. “I remember a bearded dragon named Greg. A few snakes. One kitten.”

“Huh.” Wren looked thoughtful. “I guess you learn a lot about people by the way they treat their pets.”

“I could write a book about it,” he said.

“I would read that book.” Wren smiled.

They hovered at the exit. Ben reached for the door to open it for her and the Frenchie, who remained unnamed. “By the way,” he said. “I think I’m coming to your family party this weekend. I guess I’ll see you again?”

“Oh!” Wren’s eyes widened. “You know, they just told me about it. Maybe you’re more in the family than I am.”

Ben chuckled, although he sensed the darkness beneath what she said. “I don’t think that’s true,” he said.

“Ah, well,” Wren said, fixing her face into a smile. “I have Pierre now.”

“Pierre?” Ben was momentarily confused until Wren gestured down at the little dog.

“A Frenchie named Pierre,” Wren said, winking. “Do you think it fits him?”

“I think it’s perfect,” Ben said, laughing, although he had to admit he never would have named that little dog Pierre. Naming anything was difficult, though. It trapped them in an identity.

After Wren left, Ben turned back and caught his secretary, Sammy, watching him. She gave him a look that said, I see what you’re up to.

“How are you, Sammy?” Ben asked, cutting past the desk to get back to his office.

“Do you know that woman?” Sammy asked.

“She’s my brother’s girlfriend’s sister,” Ben said. “We’re basically family.”

“Uh-huh.” But Sammy didn’t sound like she believed him for a second.

9

That night, splayed on her bed with the Frenchie named Pierre at the end of her feet, Wren edited the photographs she’d taken of Bluebell Cove’s coastline and sent them off to her prospective editor. After that, she lay back, tapping her belly until Pierre came up and lay on her stomach. She gazed into his eyes, her heart opening at the tenderness she saw there. “Hi, buddy,” she whispered. “I’m going to take care of you till your owners are found.”

Pierre looked thrilled to see her. She stroked his head and rubbed behind his ears and felt a sense of wonder. All her life, she’d been focused on traveling, on running as fast as she could from commitment. She’d thought of people who had pets as irresponsible or silly, since the pets kept them grounded in one place. But the love that spilled out of this little animal told her something else.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on her door. “Come in,” Wren called.

Lily opened the door. “Oh my gosh,” she said. “You got a dog?”

Wren pulled herself up and smiled nervously. She hadn’t yet told Ivy about Pierre. “I found him. He was injured, so I took him to the vet, and we’re waiting to hear from his owners.”

Lily came over and sat at the edge of the bed to give Pierre the attention he deserved. Pierre took to her right away. “He’s so sweet,” Lily breathed. “Mom never let us get a dog growing up, but I always wanted to.”

“I never wanted a dog,” Wren said, laughing.

“But he found you nonetheless,” Lily said. “I came up to tell you dinner’s ready, if you want any. I made it. Chicken tacos with guacamole. Elliott and Mom are eating out somewhere, but Tyler and Sophie are downstairs. Bring the dog!”

Wren padded downstairs, keeping an eye on Pierre as he greeted everyone happily. Her nieces and nephew fell in love with him instantly, and when Celia came over to say hello, she dropped to her knees and let Pierre kiss her right on the mouth. “What is Ivy going to say about this?” Celia cooed nervously.

“I’ll tell her,” Wren said. “She can’t turn him out on the street, though, right?”

Celia nodded. “Right.”