Page 103 of 15 Summers Later

Neither Sierra nor Madi noticed him as they took the kittens from the girls and returned them to cages.

Sierra was the first to spy him. “Hi, Dad,” she said with a grin.

“Hi, kiddo. How are things going here?”

“Good so far,” Madi answered for Sierra. “So far we’ve met with two families interested in adopting a dog and three who would like a cat. They’ve filled out our paperwork and I’ve scheduled home visits this week.”

“All before 10 a.m.?”

She grinned with her half smile and Luke had to fight the overwhelming urge to kiss her right there in the middle of the farmers market, in front of his daughter and two other volunteers.

“It’s an encouraging sign. I was hoping we could find homes for ten animals and we’re already halfway there. Assuming all the paperwork and the home visits check out.”

“Nice. Well, in recognition of all that hard work, I brought some of your grandmother’s muffins for you and your volunteers.”

“Oh yum. I’m starving,” Madi exclaimed. She scooped up a banana nut muffin and so did Sierra. The other two volunteers grabbed a blueberry muffin each, giving their thanks in return.

“How can I help?”

“Food is always a lifesaver,” Madi said. “Other than that, I guess just be available if anyone has questions.”

He was chatting with Ed Hyer and Ada Duncan when he spotted a familiar older woman approaching their stall with a determined expression.

As he expected, she moved straight in his direction. “Dr. Gentry. Hello. I thought I saw you earlier but you were several stalls away. By the time I had paid for my cucumbers, you were gone. I’m afraid I don’t move very quickly these days.”

“Hello, Mrs. Thompson. How are you?”

Miriam Thompson was eighty years old and had six cats and two bad-tempered dachshunds she pushed around the neighborhood in a baby stroller.

“I’m fine. But my little Booboo is under the weather again.”

Booboo was her female dachshund, he knew. The dog didn’t seem to like anyone, no matter how hard Luke tried to make friends. “What’s happening with her?”

“She’s not eating, and the other day, she bit me for no reason, right here, on my hand.”

She thrust her arm, covered in age spots and blue veins, into his face. A bandage covered the spot between her index finger and her thumb.

“Oh dear. Did she draw blood?”

“A bit. Not much. But you know I’m on that blood thinner medication, so it bled forever. I thought I was going to need a transfusion by the time it finally stopped.”

“I’m sorry about your bite and about Booboo feeling under the weather. Why don’t you call Monday morning and make an appointment? Tell Evelyn I’ll find room in my schedule, even if it’s packed.”

“Can’t you come over and take a look earlier than that? Your dad used to come to the house whenever I had a problem with one of my babies.”

His father had lived down the street from Miriam and watched out for her as he did most of his neighbors, who often only wanted someone to pay attention to them.

Luke apparently shared that unfortunate habit. “My schedule is full today but maybe I could come by tomorrow morning. Would ten work?”

“Oh, splendidly. Thank you, my dear.”

As she kissed his cheek, the scent of lavender and roses drifted from her, reminding him of his own grandmother.

With a satisfied smile, she toddled off.

“You are a soft touch, Dr. Gentry,” Madi murmured after Miriam had wandered away with cane in one hand and her bag of cucumbers in the other.

He had to laugh. “Says the woman who runs the largest no-kill animal rescue for miles around.”

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