Nothing matched the joy of puppy hugs and kisses.

Karly nuzzled the husky mix before setting the pup in the basin of water. The happy little guy had been transported in from New Mexico. The Colorado climate suited his thick coat, and she hoped finding him a forever home wouldn’t be too hard. While her kennel was full, Karly couldn’t resist accepting the full-of-energy, blue-eyed pup she’d temporarily named Krane, her namesake.

Her heart swelled, and tears stung her eyes when she thought about how Krane had been hours away from being euthanized. Lavender and vanilla wafted through the air from the soap used to remove the dog’s nervous scent gland smell.

“Karly?” Mara Gaccione appeared in the doorway. “Are you okay?” Buddy, Mara’s service dog, led her into the utility room.

“Are you sure you’re blind? ’Cause you sure see a lot.” Karly lifted Krane out of the soapy water to give him a good rinse under the sink hose.

“Yes, I’m blind, not deaf. When I hear sniffles, I get concerned. Deciphering whether you have a cold or are upset isn't as easy, so I ask.” Buddy moved in to take a sniff at Krane’s behind, and the puppy turned to give him a nip on the nose. “Maybe my news will cheer you up.”

Karly set the freshly washed puppy on the counter to give him a good toweling. “Don’t tell me…you got a new car.”

“Funny. Although, I did hear car manufacturers have developed a driverless car. Can you just imagine me driving a car? Everyone in town would run screaming from the streets.”

“Don’t you dare tell Lizzy Cranston. I’m surprised that old biddy hasn’t bought a tank to run everyone off the road. As it is, she flips everyone the bird, even when she’s the one who’s run the stop sign.”

Mara lifted her apron off the hook, placing it over her head. “For pushing eighty, she sure is a spry one.”

“She’s something, all right. Tell me…what’s your news?”

The blush of excitement spreading across her friend’s face provided a warning, but not quickly enough.

“Joe and I are pregnant.” Her friend’s voice lilted with excitement.

“Ohhh…that’s…wonderful news.” Mara’s exuberant confession drove a stake through Karly’s bruised and battered heart.

The turmoil she’d experienced the past two days after learning the truth about Thad’s leaving broke through the dam of control and spilled. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t breathe. The vast emptiness in her womb ached.

“Karly? Did I say something wrong?”

“No. No. I’m thrilled for you and Joe. Really. You both deserve so much happiness.”

She rubbed her nose with the back of her hand and returned Krane to one of six holding boxes on the far wall.

Mara was having a baby. A child she could hold and love. Something Karly would never have.

“Give me a hug.” Karly wrapped her arms around her friend. “You know what this means.”

“No, what?” Mara arched back.

“I get to shop for cute little outfits. That’s what.” Karly squeezed Mara’s arms. “If anyone deserves happiness, it’s you two. Oh…” she turned on the tap of excitement, “…and we get to have a baby shower. We should have it here, and invite everyone. We’ll get Jenna to make the cake. I bet if you give Gwen a list of stuff you need, she’ll find everything on her thrift shop runs. She finds the most amazing things.”

“Yes, but—”

“And I can come over and help paint the nursery. Brianne and I can get everything organized just the way you want it. I’m so thrilled for you. How is Brianne feeling about having a new brother or sister?”

“Not good. It scares her. She almost broke my heart when she asked me if we were still going to want her after the baby was born.”

“Both of your lives changed after her mom hit your dad’s car. Both of your worlds were shattered.”

“I would hope by now Brianne would know, deep down, that we love her. She’s as much my child as the one I’m carrying.” Mara swatted at a tear hovering on the edge of her cheek. “Look at me getting all emotional.”

“Why don’t I stop by and take her out for lunch? I enjoy her company, and it might help her feel better. I’ll assure her she’s loved. There are lots of people in this town who adore her.”

Mara’s chin lifted, and her eyes stared forward. “It might make you both feel better. You’re sad. I can feel it.”

“No. No. Not sad.” Karly tried stepping away, but her friend held tight for a few more seconds before releasing her.

“Please, tell me what’s happening.”

“Don't mind me.” Karly scrubbed the washbasin with a scouring pad, whirling in smaller and smaller circles, her arm moving faster and faster. I’ve gotta stop crying every time my friends get pregnant. Just because I can’t shouldn’t matter. But, dang it, it does. She blew out a long breath to push out the self-pity. “I'm just hormonal this week. I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure that’s all it is?” Mara placed a hand on her forearm. “When I stopped at Dreamy Delights to get muffins for Joe’s staff meeting, Jenna said Thad finally stopped by to see you. How did that go?”

What the farts? Jenna’s gossiping now? She doesn’t gossip...or does she? That’s just plain dog poop.

Karly turned and sat on one of the transportation kennels and pressed her fingers into her temple to stop the sudden pounding in her head. “You’re the fourth person who’s asked me that question in the past two days. People shouldn’t be so quick to hitch Thad and me together again, ’cause it ain’t gonna happen.”

“People care, that’s all.”

“And I appreciate that people care, but some people are just being nosy and should mind their own business.” Anger bubbled up and out before she could flatten the feeling. “I wish my brother hadn’t asked me to look in on him. I could have done an outstanding job of ignoring him.”

“Yep, always the overachiever.” Mara reached out to touch her shoulder and connect. “Don’t be mad at Kenny. He feels responsible because Thad saved his life so many times.”

“If Kenny hadn’t fallen, then Thad wouldn’t have had to drag him to safety, and I wouldn’t feel like I owed Thad.”

“You stopping by Thad’s wasn’t just about Kenny. A couple of months ago, you played me a video from Thad’s Facebook page.”

Only because he hadn’t locked it down.

“You’ve been checking up on him,” Mara persisted. “Which means you still feel something for the guy.”

“I only look when Kenny’s tagged.” Karly twisted her ponytail, wrapping it around and around and around her finger.

“Uh-huh.” The skin tightening across Mara’s mouth while it curled up at the ends didn’t help.

Best friends can be soooo annoying.

“Okay. Have me arrested. I look sometimes, because I get curious, but it doesn’t mean anything.”

“If you say so.” Mara reached for Buddy’s ears and gave them a good scratch. “Everyone always thought you two would eventually get married.”

“Marriage isn’t for me.” At least not anymore.

Mara huffed out a smirk. “I used to think no one would ever love me now that I’m blind, but then Joey came along.”

“But you wanted to get married. I don’t.” Or can’t, might be more accurate. Who would want someone who can’t have kids? “I’ve got a good life. I’m surrounded by good friends, and I’ve got my fur-babies.”

“You sound as if these animals are enough.”

“There’s something to be said for unconditional love.”

“Yes, but in your case, you don’t even get that. Not long-term, anyway. Your animals come and go every day. At least with Buddy, I get him for his lifetime.”

She flicked away the idea like a flea. “I’ll make it work.”

“And, if you can’t keep this place? Then what?”

Her morning coffee churned in her stomach with a surge of nausea. “I guess I’ll just have to make certain I don’t have to close my business. Besides, what else would I do?”

“That’s my point. You can’t work all the time. Is Thad the reason you stopped dating?”

No other man could play her heartstrings like Thad. The music he created was magical.

A surge of bitterness burned her throat. “He was my best friend, and he just left,” just when I needed him most. He destroyed my trust. “Besides, there’s no one in this town I’d want to date. All the good ones are taken.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I’d still be single if Joey hadn’t returned.” Mara fiddled with the strings on her apron. “Thad did leave rather suddenly. He just seemed to vanish.”

“Can you believe he dumped me because his jealous sister couldn't keep her lying mouth shut?”

“What does Sarah have to do with Thad’s leaving?”

“Nothing. But he dumped me later, as soon as she told him I was fooling around with Brad Clairemont.”

“Brad? Nooo. That’s awful.” Mara placed a hand over her heart. “Why would he believe such a thing? Brad’s good at taking care of animals, but nice to people? Not so much. Everyone knows he’s a jerk.”

“Everyone but Thad.” Karly rubbed her left ring finger where Thad’s wedding ring would have been creating a happy, well-worn groove all these years. She’d expected to have a houseful of kids, animals, and love by twenty-eight. At least she had a bunch of animals to keep her distracted. “It boils down to trust. He just didn't believe in me.” Or my love.

“Maybe. Maybe not. Guys can get some silly notions in their heads sometimes. Joe thought I wouldn’t marry him unless he was rich. How silly is that?” The lines of Mara’s face deepened with concern. “Pretty dumb, if you ask me.” Mara puffed out an annoyed, protective breath on her friend’s behalf, straight enough to hit a target.

“Thad and I were so close, we could almost finish each other's sentences. I thought he got me.”

Mara took a step closer and placed her hand on Karly’s forearm. “When emotions are running high, we tend towards the illogical.”

“Or the stupid.”

“Maybe you should give that trust thing another try. It’s never too late.”

Just the thought gave Karly a thumping headache. In high school, Thad was the first person to tramp into her half-awake brain every morning. Would he be late for school again, would he have finished his homework, would he pass her a love note in class? Every time she saw him walking down the hall, her heart did a hippity-skip and a cartwheel. She’d given him every ounce of love she had—even disobeyed her parents when they demanded she stop seeing him.

“It’s too late for us. I forgave him a long time ago, but the trust just isn't there anymore.”

“That's too bad.” Mara’s hand squeezed her arm, the sympathy warming Karly’s skin. “That baritone, rusty voice of his makes my woman parts sizzle.”

“Mara, you’re married.”

“Yes, but I’m not dead. If Thad looks anything like he did in high school, I’m surprised you’re not taking advantage of what he’s offering. You’re both single. So why not?” Mara blushed. “Jenna said she’d make up a batch of her special dark chocolate frosting, if you’re interested in smearing some on Thad and licking it off.”

“Mara!”

“Well?”

Not going there.

Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” filled the room. Isn’t that just perfect? Karly’s breath oozed out in a stream of frustration. Couldn’t something other than that song have played? Really?

“Tell Jenna I appreciate her offer, but I…” Karly reached in her back pocket for her vibrating cell phone. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?” She took a deep breath, waiting for the perpetual judgment to begin.

“I just came by to see you.” Her mother’s voice squeaked it was so polished. “Where are you? Oh, there you are. Never mind.” The phone disconnected before Karly said a word.

“Hello, Mara dear.” Her mother patted her friend’s arm like she was one of the animals in the kennel, then moved away from Buddy before Mara’s dog could give her a sniff. “I came to talk to my favorite daughter.”

“Ma, Mara knows I’m your only daughter.”

“Yes. I’m sure she does. Mara, would you excuse us a moment? I have something important I need to discuss with Karly.”

“Sure, Mrs. Krane. I’ll get started on feeding the cats.” Mara moved through the back door faster than Buddy could lead. Karly would have given anything to follow her friend out of the room and avoid hearing the inevitable constructive criticism that wasn’t in the least constructive.

“Didn’t you have a nail appointment this morning?” Karly replaced her phone in her back pocket, summoning her last remaining bit of pleasantness.

“I’ve got fabulous news.” Her mother set her knockoff designer purse on the counter. “There’s an opening at Elkridge Lodge for a part-time manager. I rushed over to bring you the job application.”

Karly stared at the packet of pages with lines and boxes requiring information, the Elkridge Lodge and Spa logo emblazoned at the top. A bitter resentment shimmied down her spine, and she had to swallow several times to get her churning stomach to settle. “Mom. I have a job. My business takes all my time. I don’t need another job.”

“This job would be a steady income.” Her tone managed to mix with a slight degree of irritation and an even heavier percentage of patronizing.

“I get by. I’ve never asked you for money, have I?” She prayed for patience, knowing the repeating lecture loop was about to repeat itself again. Marriage and babies. That’s what was expected of the only daughter of Karen Krane.

“I know you want to play and have fun,” her mother continued, “but one of these days you’ll have to wake up. This place doesn’t make enough to provide you with comforts. You should be setting money aside for other things, like retirement.”

Play? I’m working my butt off. And retirement?

“Mom, I appreciate—”

“You have to plan, Karly, hun.” Her mother droned on about family and being fiscally responsible, even though Karly had never asked for a penny to start her business. Yep, she had a good grasp on what it took to keep food on the table, a roof over her head, and kibble in the animals’ bowls.

“Are you listening to me?” Her mother’s tone had taken on a persuasive passion. “You should take better care of yourself. Look at you.” Her mother reached to push Karly’s bangs to the side. Karly raised her hand to ward her off, hoping her mother didn’t pull out an anti-bacterial wipe next.

“Just for once, Mom,” she let the building resentment ease, “it’d be nice if you could be proud of me. Take a moment to see what I’m trying to build here.”

“Karly, hun. I am proud of you.”

The shocking statement numbed her brain. She didn’t know what to say. She just stared at her mom.

“Don’t look at me that way.” Her mother glanced at her fingertips, then rubbed at a nail polish chip. “It's just that you work too hard. When will you have time to find a good man?”

Here we go again.

“The only thing guys in this town know how to do is leave. Look at Dad, Keith, Kevin, Kenny…they all left.” And so did Thad.

Her mother’s eyes jolted open, then eased. “Oh, honey. Trust me, life gets lonely. You can find one who will stick.”

What if I don’t want one who sticks?

Her mother played with her conservative gold loop earring. “Did I tell you I signed us up for one of those dating sites?”

Oh, jeez. What next? “No, you didn’t. Is this one of those two-for-one deals?”

“Why don’t you come over tonight, and I’ll help you set up a profile.”

“Really, Mom,” Karly did her polite best to curb the welling frustration. “I don't need a man in my life.”

“Every woman needs to find a man and secure her future.” Her mother reached out to touch Karly’s cheek. “When am I going to get my grandbabies?”

Never. That familiar sting in her eyes returned. “Would you settle for furry grandbabies?”

Her mother's eyebrows lifted. “I suppose you find that funny.”

No. Just reality. If the topic hadn't been extremely serious, she might have laughed. “Puppies do have their appeal.”

“Your response is so typical, and becoming quite annoying.” Her mother reached into her purse to grab her drama red lipstick. “I could have sold the house and moved back to New York, but I’d be too far away from you and the boys. It doesn’t look like any of you are going to settle down anytime soon.” She dropped the lipstick tube back in and retrieved her cell phone. “Kevin and Kurt will be in town next week to fix the back fence. Make sure you mark your calendar. And if you video chat with Kenny—tell him to call his mother. The only one he ever talks to is you. Now give me a kiss.”

Karly dutifully leaned in and gave her mom what she wanted. She had learned to pick her battles. In her teens, she rebelled. In her early twenties, she defied. Now, she appeased…to a point.

Her mother picked up her purse and tapped the end of her sunglasses on her lips. Oh, no. Now what?

“Someone at the beauty salon told me Thad Lopez is back in town. I hope you're smart enough to avoid falling for his good looks this time. He did you and this town a favor by leaving.”

Slowly, Karly stepped back and forced her frazzled nerves to calm. “You never did like Thad.”

“Your father and I tried to protect you. Thad didn’t come from a stable family, and he lacked in so many ways. You should keep well away from that man. He’s nothing but trouble.”

And one of the reasons you always found me lacking.

“I have to go.” Her mother kissed her cheek, then proceeded to rub in the lipstick smear. “There, that’s a bit more color. Don’t forget. I’m having lunch with some of the ladies from the lodge, then I have a mani-pedi scheduled this afternoon.” Her mother twirled and headed for the door.

Still trying to fit in with the wealthy crowd, huh, Mom?

“Mom?” Her mother paused and turned while Karly approached. “You can take this with you. I don’t need it.” Karly held out the application form.

“Maybe you should think about it. The job pays good money.”

“I can recycle it if you would like.” The rise of her voice and her rigid inflexibility caused her mother’s manicured brow to rise. The silence loomed until her mother shrugged.

“You’ve always been such a stubborn girl.”

You never hear me. Her frustration maxed out. “Since I’ve been on my own for a good seven years, I hope someday soon you’ll see I’m no longer a child. I’ve grown up, Mom, even though I know you’ll always see me as your baby.”

“True. Very true. You should think about getting a haircut.” Her mom’s last statement trailed behind as she disappeared down the row of barking dogs.

So typical.

The husky puppy followed her every move with his big, sad eyes. “I bet you love me more than she does.”

She closed her eyes for a moment to find her quiet place, a place where she didn’t have to be the perfect daughter, sister, or friend.

A place she could just be.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t imagine such a place.