Page 60 of Years in the Making

“Good thing Bennett had the extension built this spring, eh?”

I look up at the barn and rub my neck nervously. “He may need to start thinking about another one at this rate.” It’s a beautiful setup, and I can’t think of anywhere better to be a dog. Hell, I can barely think of anywhere better to be as a human. When Bennett offered the apartment to me, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. I have my own space but get to socialize when I want, and he refuses to charge me rent. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and have to pinch myself. I never expected to land so steadily on my feet when I moved back to the country.

“He has promised to be better with the adoption side of things this year. Although I have yet to see that come into practice.” Marley rolls her eyes as she puts the lid on the bucket and carries it back towards the barn.

“I can do that,” I insist, jogging after her.

She throws an exhausted look over her shoulder, and I back off immediately.

Marley has an independent streak a milelong, and since her injury, she is almost militant in her need to prove she’s capable of doing things on her own. Nancy said it was because Bennett coddled her a bit too much when she had gotten hurt. Which I can imagine since Bennett is the biggest empath I’ve ever met.

“Have you had dinner yet?” Marley asks after she’s put everything away.

“I’m about to.”

“What are you having?”

I have no idea. I was going to spend the next half an hour rummaging through my kitchen with the intention of making something hot only to decide on a couple of sandwiches.

“Come over. Bennett’s got enough on the barbecue to feed the entire town.”

She doesn’t even wait for me to confirm, just walks back towards the house. Being fed wasn’t part of this arrangement, yet I find myself eating with Marley, Bennett, and occasionally Cass no fewer than three times a week. I usually say yes, but some days I just don’t have it in me to be in the presence of two people who only have eyes for one another. I’m happy for them, but they remind me of my parents, and even after all these years, it’s hard. I can’t help but grieve for their future when one has to let go while at the same time, I’m envious of them for having to face that one day.

After assuring Marley I’ll be over soon, I head up to my apartment to change into something a bit less single-guy-who-lives-in-a-barn. Once I’ve done that, I pull out the machine I have used regularly since I’ve been back home. I hate the squeeze of the cuff as the sensors read my blood pressure. Still normal after three readings.

Three years ago, shortly after giving birth, Zoe had been getting severe headaches at the back of her head while sick with a vicious cough. It was dismissed as neck muscle strain untilthey took her blood pressure. She was immediately sent for an MRI, and sure enough, there at the back of her brain was a small unruptured aneurysm. Something we had all silently feared could happen to one of us. A fear that had only grown in intensity since Mom. So far, the doctors have advised that no surgical intervention is needed, but Zoe has pleaded with me and Will to pay attention to our health. “You can get this cuff,” she’d said, sending us a picture of the portable blood pressure meter she had. “And maybe get in for a scan. Dr. Tascioni will requisition one, I’m positive.”

I take a picture of the average and then head down for dinner. I could tell myself it’s because I want to spend the evening with company, but I know if I stay home, I’m probably going to text Nellie again, and I’m trying damn hard not to come across as desperate.

“You do realize that Nellie is going to want to keep Kevin, right? This is going to be a trial run that they’ll both ace.” Marley’s reaction is about what I expected after I told them I was serious about taking Kevin along for the ride.

I’m well aware. I may not have spent much time engaging with Nellie since December but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been paying attention. Despite the Christmas puppies all looking alike, aside from Eggnog, she has always gravitated toward Kevin. Choosing him wasn’t a coincidence.

“Well, Bennett does keep talking about finding homes for the pups.” I lean back in my chair, and both Marley and I turn to Bennett with knowing looks.

“What?” he asks innocently. “It’s not my fault the applicants are subpar.”

“All of them?” Marley says.

“Every. Single. One,” Bennett enunciates before standing to clear the plates.

Marley looks over at me with narrowed eyes, and I give myhead a subtle shake. There have been countless adoption applications, and most of them were suitable. They just didn’t meet some impossible standard that Bennett has set. I’m sure the standard is that they aren’t clones of him and this place.

I stand and start gathering the serving dishes, but Marley bats me away. “You two stay out here. This is the one thing I get to do without an argument.”

“We can help bring stuff in, Mar,” Bennett says, lifting the plates out of her reach.

“Fine, but you put them down and get out of my kitchen.” She huffs.

“Yourkitchen?” Bennett asks.

“When it is time for dishes, it’s my kitchen. When it’s time to cook, it’s yours and when—” Bennett sets the plates down and covers her mouth with his hand so fast half the cutlery slides across the table. I watch as a blush creeps up his neck to his face, and when I look over at Marley her eyes are crinkled, giving away the giant smile she’s got underneath his hand.

“We’ll drop things off and leave,” he assures her but keeps his hand where it is for a second longer. When he drops it, he does so slowly as if he’s expecting whatever he was trying to keep in, to try and come out again.

Marley smiles up at him and then leads the way inside.

As promised, we set what we’re carrying down and then head right back outside.

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