Page 129 of Wag More Bark Less

“I’ll make Ethan help. Your shit’s heavy,” Violet added.

Everyone was staring at me, waiting to hear my decision. Mom was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, but she was smiling. Her comment about Christmas made more sense now. So, while this felt impulsive, I knew it wasn’t. It felt like the very thing I’d yearned for longer than I could remember.

Bluebell Springs was home.

Luke was home.

“Before I officially decide, I should mention two things,” I said to Luke.

“What’s that?”

“One: I broke the closet doorknob in the guest room. I meant to fix it, and even bought the spare from your dad’s store, but⁠—”

“I don’t care about the doorknob, Maggie.”

“Oh, well, in that case. The second thing: I love you too.”

“That’s a relief. Would’ve been awkward driving all this way with a trailer for you to say you just wanted to be friends.”

“Shut up.” I swatted him playfully, and Ellie let out a happy bark.

“Luke?”

“Yes, Maggie?”

“I’m ready to go home now.”

EPILOGUE

MAGGIE

Summertime in Bluebell Springs was second only to autumn. I loved the warm sun on my face and bare arms, the influx of tourists who gave the town an extra breath of life, and spending time on the lake without worrying that falling off my paddleboard would leave me shivering down to my bones.

I soaked in another beat of sunshine before slipping inside Frosted Peaks Bakery, where the temperature plummeted to instant goosebump levels.

“Here to pick up Walter’s cake?” Aspen, now one of my closest friends, asked from behind the counter. It still amazed me sometimes that I went from having zero female friendships I could count on to a whole gaggle of them. They’d effortlessly become such an integral part of my life these past few months that it was hard to remember life before them.

“I know I’m a little early, but I want to make sure I’m able to sneak in to the Legion Hall without him catching on.”

It was Walter’s ninety-fourth birthday, and the Legion members had voted—while he was in the restroom last meeting—to throw him a surprise birthday party. I was put in charge of the cake.

“No worries. I have it ready. Be right back.”

Aspen whisked into the back, where she kept her special orders. The line beside me moved forward but never seemed to stop growing. People traveled from neighboring towns to buy her cupcakes, and it was no mystery why. It didn’t matter the flavor—they were all to die for.

“Here you go,” she said, coming around the counter and handing me a square pink box with her custom logo on the top. “Hey, before you go, you free tomorrow night?”

“I think so. Why?”

She glanced back at the line behind her, then lowered her voice. “Emergency girls’ night.”

“What happened?”

“My dad broke his leg.”

I frowned in confusion. “Does that require margaritas?”

Aspen grimaced, leaning closer. “My brother’s coming home.”