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It made me wonder if the event was the right place for her if she was already getting worked up.

When I picked her up, placing her against my chest, she was shaking. “Hey there, pretty girl. It’s okay. I know you aren’t used to all these people, but I promise that it’s a good thing.” It didn’t seem to help settle the dog at all.

I looked up at Truman because I didn’t know what to do. She seemed terrified. It wasn't like he could leave the other dogs there on Main Street to take her back to the shelter.

“As much as I hate leaving her alone, I can take her back to my place. I have some big blankets she can cuddle with if you send me with some food.”

That seemed to do the trick. Truman smiled, nodding at me, handing me a small, sample-sized bag of dog food. He said that when he told the food company he used about this event, they’d sent over samples for him to give to prospective adoptive families so the dogs could be on the same diet.

I hurried to get Daisy back to my place. Once I had her indoors, she seemed to relax a lot more. I set out a bowl with the food, some water, and a pile of soft blankets I had in my closet. She instantly curled into them, falling asleep. Daisy looked so peaceful. Since I now had permission to take pictures of the dogs, I picked up my phone and took a quick shot of her. I texted Truman.

Truman: She’s already asleep?

Me: I think the festival might have been too much for her.

Truman: Thank you for looking out for her.

It made me feel all warm and gooey inside because it mattered to him. I wanted to help take care of his dogs. Maybe it was wishful thinking that one day they’d be our dogs. I was one hundred percent thinking at the speed of light. We barely knew each other, but it all felt right. Like I was always meant to land in Maple Lane Falls and run into Truman. That he was my person, because I’d never met anyone who’d respected me so much right out of the gate before.

After making sure that Daisy had everything she would need, I left and went back to the festival. By the time I made it back, almost everything was set up. I had to run to Truman’s table to grab my camera since I hadn’t taken it home with me.

He had a few other dogs with him that I didn’t know all that well, and of course, Hector. Something funny settled in my chest because, much like Daisy, I’d be heartbroken if I never got to see him again. The two dogs were as different as night and day, much like me and Truman, but maybe that was why I liked them so much. Daisy was the spunky little diva, while Hector was the giant love bug.

The festival opened with a grand ribbon cutting ceremony. It was amazing to see so many people pack into the street looking at what everyone had to offer. As much as I wanted to stay with Truman all night, I’d been hired to cover the entire event, not just the one booth. It was hard not to divide my attention, however.

The moment I walked away from Truman’s booth, all I could think about was him. Was he doing okay? Was anyone stopping by, asking about the dogs in his care? People were looking to adopt dogs at things like this, weren’t they?

I hadn’t been asked to feature just Truman, I needed to focus on the festival as a whole. No matter how much I wanted to. It took everything in me to pull myself from his booth and explore what everyone else had to offer.

There was a woman who had so many things she’d knitted that I wished I could spend all evening at her booth. She had anything from blankets to dolls for kids, and random things like pot holders and different knick-knacks.

“You’re the new girl in town, aren’t you?” another vendor asked as I snapped pictures of all the things on her tables.

“That would be me.”

Her smile was warm and welcoming, much like most people in town had been.

She handed me one of the baked goods she offered. “Please, take this. We’re so happy you’re here.”

Maybe it was just me. I’d read too many books where the outsider wasn’t so easily welcomed, but I loved that I was being granted access to the fold that was Maple Lane Falls. It made me wish I’d grown up in a similar place. New York had been fun, I’d loved my friends and all the opportunities there, but there was a part of my soul that called to the quiet welcoming that was the place I currently resided.

Chapter 12

Truman

“Excuse me?”

I jumped because I hadn’t honestly been paying attention to what was going on around me. All I was focused on was that it had been forty-five minutes since Allie had walked away to take pictures of the other vendors at the event. It wasn’t like I had any claim over her, but after the kisses we’d been sharing... damn... the girl felt like she was mine. We needed to define what was happening. While I wasn’t the person who normally needed labels, she made me crave them.

Hell, I’d never even craved a relationship. I was down for a roll in bed, and that was it. What was it about her that not only made me okay with the idea that it was off the table, but I was okay with that being a lifelong commitment?

Was I seriously considering forever?

“Sir?”

I shook my head, snapping out of my thoughts to pay attention to the young man who was standing in front of my table.

“What can I help you with?” I asked.