“Are you still okay with this?”
She looked over her shoulder at Olive, then back at me, her eyes glistening with rare emotion. “Yes. I think it’s probably the best thing for everyone concerned.” By that, she meant Vicky. And thank goodness Bentley had come to that conclusion, because no one at Novel Idea could imagine not having Vicky on staff. “Besides,” Bentley continued. “Olive needs a lot of attention, maybe kids to play with her, and I . . . well, I live a pretty sterile life, if you haven’t noticed. Business, business, and more business. Not exactly a nurturing, loving environment.”
I hesitated. Not sure what to say. Over the past week, I’d come to know a different facet of Bentley. A caring, sensitive side. In many ways, it was easier before when I only knew the cutthroat business side of her. I wasn’t quite sure how to relate to the new Bentley.
“But,” she concluded. “This time with Olive has opened my eyes to something I believe is very important and given birth to a new and lucrative venture for our agency.”
Aw . . . the old Bentley was back. “Oh, and what might that be?”
Her eyes took on that old familiar gleam, the one that sparkled with dollar signs. “A benefit for dogs like Olive, rescue animals. We’ll combine it with a campaign for that author Franklin’s always talking about, the one who wrote Get a New Leash on Life. And what’s that new mystery series you just signed last summer?”
“The Trendy Tails Mysteries?”
“That’s the one. Catchy title, by the way.” She swept her hand through the air as she imagined all the possibilities. “We’ll call our event something like . . . like . . . Oh, I don’t know. I’m putting you in charge, so you can come up with the event name. But make it good. We’re going big. Think . . . uh, what’s that big dog show that’s always on television?”
“The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show?”
“Exactly!” Bentley enthused. “But it doesn’t just have to be show dogs; we could incorporate something for working dogs, service dogs . . .”
“Police dogs?” I threw out. Although I don’t know why I was encouraging her. This event was getting bigger by the second.
“Now you’re thinking. And we’ll donate part of our proceeds to help benefit dogs like Olive.”
I reached across and placed my hand over hers, giving it a quick squeeze. “Another brilliant idea,” I told her. “Come on, let’s go introduce Olive to her new home.”
As soon as we stepped out of the car, the front door of the home flew open and several children came running out—their faces lit up with excitement. Right behind the children came Ms. Jensen, the new director of the Home for Women in Transition. She reached out and grasped Bentley’s hand. “Ms. Duke. We can’t thank you enough for your generosity. Your donation means so much to us.”
My head snapped to Bentley. Donation? I shook my head in wonderment. My boss never ceased to surprise me.
The woman continued, “And this . . .” She waved her hand to where the children were huddled around Olive, giggling and laughing with joy. “What a wonderful idea. I wish I had thought of it. A dog. Just the thing these children need to distract them from the troubles they’ve faced. A spot of joy in their lives.”
Bentley nodded, her gaze fixed on the children as they took turns holding and nuzzling Olive. I moved closer and whispered in her ear. “Look at Olive. She seems happy.”
Bentley nodded, a lone tear falling down her cheek. “Yes. It looks like Olive has found a happy ending for her story.”
I nodded. Bentley’s comment reminded me that we all have our own stories, each and every one of us. And if we’re lucky, we have a host of supporting characters to see us through the many plot twists in our lives. I was truly blessed to have a wonderful fiancé and many good friends to fill that role. And who could ask for a better sidekick than the Amazing Althea? With them by my side, I was ready to turn the page on a new chapter in my life. One that would include bringing more captivating stories to readers and promising careers to budding authors, as well as supporting my own loving family—Mama and Trey and my work family, too—no matter what story they’d choose to write for themselves. I looked down at the ring on my hand, its glimmer almost matching the lightness I felt in my heart. Best of all, I’d have Sean by my side to see me through each new scene and every new event.
I could hardly wait to see what the rest of my story would bring.
Turn the page for a preview of the newest book in Susan Furlong’s Georgia Peach mystery series
REST IN PEACH
Coming soon from Berkley Prime Crime