Cadie reached over and lightly touched the soft gray fur and Moby pushed his head up into her hand. Cadie scratched under his white chin and he purred. “What did I do to deserve your company?” she whispered softly, and he blinked, stretched out to his full length, and kept purring. A moment later, the back door opened and Cadie heard the clicking of paws on the wooden floor. Then she heard Levi reminding Aidan to be quiet. “It’s okay,” she called. “I’m awake.” Hearing her voice, Tuck bounded into the room and launched onto the bed, sending Moby scurrying. “You’re such a big lug,” Cadie said, laughing as he stood over her, licking her face. “Hop down, Tuck,” Levi scolded, following him into the room. “Sorry, Mom,” he said, pulling him off the bed. “It’s okay, hon. He’s fine. Really.” Levi shook his head. “No, it’s not—his feet are wet and sandy, and now your sheets are wet and sandy too.” “They’ll dry,” she said, reaching for his hand, but he pulled away.
