Page 93 of 15 Summers Later

“What about them?”

“We can’t take them to the grocery store. Could you leave them at Leona’s place?”

“Oh yes. Her dog Oscar does a good job of watching over them.”

“Right. Oscar. I can’t believe he’s still around. He was old when you and I first met.”

“Still going strong. I’m sure Grandma can keep an eye on them until she’s done here. We can go ask her, to make sure.”

He smiled at her. It was tentative but definitely a smile. A little effervescent bubble of joy floated through her.

“While you finish helping Leona, I’ll pick up some fresh produce at the market, unless it’s all picked over by now.”

She made a face. “When it comes to the farmers market, the early bird really does get the worm—or at least the best choice of produce. But I’m sure there will be some good stuff left. Now the trick will be getting Gracie to hold still so I can put her leash on again.”

“Gracie. Here, girl,” he called.

The corgi immediately waddled over to him as if she had been obeying his commands all her life. He hooked the leash on, held it in one hand and reached the other out to help Ava off the bench.

When he didn’t immediately let go of her hand, Ava felt that bubble of joy expand in her chest.

They walked toward her grandmother’s stall, each of them walking one of the dogs.

When they arrived, they found one of Leona’s friends had taken Ava’s place running the charge app on the tablet.

“We’re doing fine here,” Leona assured them. “Don’t worry. Enjoy the market with your husband.”

Ava wanted to protest that she had come that day to help her grandmother, but she knew by Leona’s firm tone that arguing with her would be pointless.

“Thanks, Grandma.” She kissed her wrinkled cheek. While Ava had found this separation from Cullen excruciating, at least she had been able to spend priceless time with her grandmother.

She wished she could say she had been able to renew her relationship with her sister as well. After their trip into the mountains, Ava had nurtured high hopes that she and Madi might be able to slip back into their once-comfortable relationship. Things hadn’t quite worked out that way. Her sister seemed determined to maintain a sturdy barrier between them. Granted, her schedule was hectic at best. Madi was still working at both the vet clinic and the animal rescue and seemed to put in long hours at both every day.

“Is he okay to go with us?” Cullen asked, pointing to Beau.

“We are supposed to walk him every day to help stretch his leg. Nothing too strenuous, but I would say walking around the market would be perfect.”

They quickly filled up the bags he had brought along, buying fresh peppers, zucchini and cucumbers from one stand and new potatoes and onions from another.

It felt very much like old times to Ava, even if their conversation didn’t quite flow as effortlessly as usual.

“I hope you have plenty of room to take all this stuff back to camp,” she said, gesturing to the reusable shopping bags he carried.

“That’s always the challenge, but we somehow have been able to make it work.”

“Are you tired of camp food yet?”

“Not really. To be honest, I don’t pay much attention to what I’m eating. The work is too interesting.”

He was doing exactly what he always dreamed about, immersing himself in the challenge and joy of scientific discovery.

“Has it been difficult living in the mountains for weeks at a time?” she asked.

“Sometimes,” he admitted. “The nights can be long up there. But I have plenty of books to read on my e-reader and I keep reminding myself of all we’re accomplishing.”

While she had learned to enjoy camping in small portions since marrying Cullen, spending longer than three or four days in a tent left her edgy and anxious, desperate for a hot shower and a soft bed.

How had she and Madi endured months in the mountains? Ava had hated it. The flies, the cold nights, the lack of privacy and basic sanitation needs.

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