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So much more.
Inside he was hurting, trying to navigate this situation with his mom. Ashley could help, but the hard work would have to be done by the two of them.
“I can talk to him, but I can’t make any promises.”
35
JoJo
Part Irish Setter
Likes: Eye contact
Dislikes: That woman in the express checkout line with more than 10 items
“No, I completely understand. You really need to rest up.”
Ashley clicked off her phone and turned to Willa. “That’s two more down. Toby sprained his ankle skateboarding and Mabel has a cold.”
“Kind of sus.” Perry frowned beneath her colorful bangs. Today, they were pink, a la Frenchie from Grease. “Both of them out.”
“Well, I can’t make them come in. But now we’re three short.”
Willa looked up from her e-reader. “Aunt Maeve said she’d stop by. But Aunt Vera is on a date.”
“On a Saturday morning?” Ashley shook her head. “Forget I said that. I don’t want to know what your aunt gets up to at this time of the day.”
“Like what?”
“Never mind.”
Sometimes she forgot how young her daughter was, especially as she seemed to possess a world-weary wisdom in her lovely blue eyes. But not today.
Since the Bunking with Butterflies event last weekend, she seemed to have retrieved some of her old vivacity. Ashley loved seeing her daughter like this, and she had Dex to thank.
Willa snuck a look out the window. “The line’s getting longer.”
The perils of having a celebrity volunteer in their ranks. Ashley hoped that people were interested in the animals and not just the connections at the shelter. She’d already fielded a call from Cora this morning, who was back from her cruise and hanging in Florida, reminding Ashley of all the things already on her list.
Were the puppies bathed?
Did she have enough adoption applications?
Oh, and don’t forget that the Rebels PR people will be by to take photos.
Ashley knew all these things, but knowing didn’t make it any easier. And now she was three volunteers down.
Her phone buzzed again.
Dex
Can you let me in the back?
She headed to the back entrance and opened the door. “Hi!”
“Hey.” He wrapped her up close and kissed her as if it was a perfectly natural thing to do. Like he was her boyfriend.
“I missed you,” he murmured against her lips.
