Kate snorted. “Are you kidding? I wanted to keep two residences for a while and see how it worked out, but the man never wanted to leave. He knows everyone in town. Gets his fresh bagels from Martha at the bakery, brings his laptop to the café and hangs with Jim, and opened up an account with Hector at the bookstore. Verily worked its magic, so we decided to keep this place until we get something a little bigger.”

“I’m so happy for you, Kate.” Gen blinked furiously. “You deserve this.”

“Please, no tears. We’ll never get through two weddings. Dual maids of honor, right? You first, of course. I’d never steal your August date.”

“David was stuck on August, but I couldn’t care less.” A shadow crossed over her face and she eased her way out of the chair. “Back to the hospital. Can I borrow that book on stuttering? One of my patients is having trouble and it would be good to get some solid information and tips. Hard to build a good relationship when she’s always nervous about opening her mouth.”

“Sure. Over there on the shelf.”

Gen walked over, scanned the titles, and plucked it from the shelf. “Got it. Hey, what’s this?” She pulled out a small purple book and studied it with curiosity. “A book of love spells? You holding out on me, Kate?”

Kate slid off her chair and crossed the room. “I forgot about that. I got it at the secondhand store, thinking maybe it would be fun for one of my clients.”

Gen stroked her hand over the violet fabric. “You didn’t do the spell, did you?”

Kate winced. “No. Yes. Well, after Slade and I split for the first time, or second, I can’t remember, I was lonely and thought, what the hell?”

Gen shook her head. “You are too cool. You own a magical gift and have the guts to create a spell. Guess it worked, huh?”

Kate paused. How odd. Of course, it was a complete coincidence that the casting of the spell led to love and an engagement. Right?

The list.

“Wait a minute, let me check something.” She raced to her bedroom, stuck her hand under the mattress, and pulled out the crinkled paper. Unfolding it, she read through the qualities she requested in a soul mate.

1. A sense of humor

2. Intelligence

3. Loyalty

4. Trustworthiness

5. Protective of family

6. Character

7. Fights for what he believes in

8. Loves dogs (Robert)

9. Loves TV and movies (comedies)

10. A man I experience the touch with

11. Great lover

12. A man willing to believe in love

Kate gasped. The list encompassed all the qualities her future husband exhibited. She shoved the paper back under the mattress and walked back to Gen.

“What’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Think I did. Let’s just say I think the spell worked, which is impossible because I don’t believe in Earth Mother or burning lists in fires or coincidence.”

Gen stared, then looked down at the book. “Can I have it?”

Kate laughed. “You already found Mr. Right.”

“I know. But maybe Izzy would get a kick out of it. She’s been so difficult to talk to lately, I thought we’d get a laugh. Maybe talk about the old days. Boys usually help the bonding experience.”

Kate hurt for her friend, who missed her twin deeply. “Of course, take it.”

“Thanks.”

A strange premonition misted her vision as Gen’s fingers closed around the book. Almost as if she sensed something big was going to happen, and the path would not be easy. A shiver worked down her spine. Gen was happily ignorant of her worry, patting Robert’s head and drifting out the door with a hearty good-bye.

Kate prayed David would give Gen everything beautiful. Her friend deserved a lifetime of happiness.

She stared down at her own ring, the gorgeous round stone simply and beautifully cut, sparkling on her finger like a million rays of joy. Finally. It had been so worth the journey to get here. With a light heart, Kate settled back into her recliner, with her dog and her remote, and waited for the man she loved to walk through the door.

epilogue

THE SUN STREAMED through the open windows and over my fur, warming my body like a heated blankie. I snuggled deeper into my bed and gave a big sigh. Bunny Squeak lay close to my paw, and the delicious scents of meat drifted in the air. Hmm, dinner. Mommy and Daddy were talking behind me. Laughing. Then the sound of slurping. Kissing they called it. I closed my eyes halfway and dozed for a bit.

I remember when I was able to run, really really fast. I had all my legs then, but I wasn’t happy. The bad people hurt me, and I tried to keep being better, but I was never good enough. The first time I saw Kate, I thought she was an angel. She picked me up from that hill and saved me. Her eyes were very big and very kind.

I didn’t think she’d want me. My legs were broken, and I knew I couldn’t run and play anymore. But she didn’t care. She got me a cool cart and taught me to run as fast as the wind, and she spent hours talking to me about important things. I always listened. I loved watching silly movies with her, and cuddling in bed, and staying with her when she cried. I hated when she cried, but then she’d hug me and laugh and things would be okay again.

I always wanted a daddy, for her and me, and now I have one. He gave me Bunny Squeak and walks me at the park and loves Mommy. He got me the best chair and now my butt feels so much better when I lie down. I finally have a real family, just like the other dogs at the park.

I’d rather have no legs and be with Mommy and Daddy. I never thought love existed or if it was really meant for me, but I was wrong.

I guess if you never give up and keep fighting, eventually you find the one meant for you. Or the ones.

“Robert?”

I picked up my head. Daddy’s arms linked around Mommy’s waist. He held up two bags of treats. “Peanut butter or bacon?”

I barked once.

“Bacon it is.”

Daddy walked over, patted me on the head, and gave me my treat. I munched on the crunchy treat, pulled Bunny Squeak closer, and felt happy. I guess sometimes you can’t give up hope, even if you are broken.

I hope other dogs and other humans realize it and take their shot.

With a big sigh, I dropped my head back on the mat and slept.

acknowledgments

THANKS TO MY editor, Lauren McKenna, for getting me to the finish line and making this story shine. Also to the team at Gallery for all your support and expertise.

Thanks to my agent, Kevan Lyon, for all her support.

Finally, everyone who knows me realizes I dream of happy ever afters for ALL my characters—both human and canine. Thankfully, the story of Robert is based on truth.

My local shelter, Pets Alive, posted a picture of Robert, who was slated to be euthanized. His legs had been crushed when he’d been thrown from a car. He was a paraplegic and needed critical surgery. He was on death row.

But something in his face spoke to the shelter volunteer. A look that haunted all of us, captured in a photo and posted on the Internet. This dog hoped. He believed. And though he’d been beaten, abused, and neglected, something within him longed for something better.

This was the look that saved him. Pets Alive took him, gave him surgery, fit him with a cart to walk again, and now Robert is adopted and living happily ever after. He even has his own Facebook page, Rockin’ Robert. I like to check in on him, see his happy, lolling grin, posing outside with his cart, and know one angelic soul was saved.

Robert taught me the most important lesson in life: Disabled doesn’t mean disposable. Everyone should be given a second or third chance. And no one should ever give up.

Thank you, Robert and Pets Alive, for reminding me of what’s important. Here’s the link if you’d like to visit Robert and see what he’s up to:

https://www.facebook.com/RobertPetsAlive