CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Three New Best Friends
The horses had settled in beautifully.
Every morning, Luke and Emily fed them before work.
Every evening, they spent time brushing them, walking the pasture, and simply enjoying the peaceful life they had worked so hard to build.
Still…
Something was missing.
Emily looked across the yard one Saturday morning.
“You know what this place needs?”
Luke smiled.
“I have a feeling I know.”
“Dogs.”
“I knew it.”
? ? ?
A few hours later, they arrived at a local animal rescue.
The volunteer welcomed them with a smile.
“So, you’re looking for a dog?”
Luke laughed.
“Actually…”
Emily grinned.
“We’re thinking three.”
The volunteer blinked.
“Three?”
Luke shrugged.
“We have five acres.”
“And a lot of love to give,” Emily added.
The volunteer smiled.
“Well then… let’s go meet them.”
? ? ?
The first dog trotted into the room with tiny little legs moving as fast as they could.
A chocolate-and-tan dachshund immediately ran straight to Luke.
Without hesitation, the little dog flopped onto his back and demanded a belly rub.
Luke laughed.
“Well… aren’t you something?”
The volunteer smiled.
“His name is Oscar.”
Oscar let out a dramatic little whine.
Emily burst into laughter.
“He’s already talking.”
The volunteer nodded.
“He talks about everything.”
Luke scratched behind Oscar’s ears.
“I think he’s hired.”
? ? ?
Next came a large Akita.
She walked calmly into the room, looking more like a fluffy bear than a dog.
She quietly sat beside Emily and gently rested her head on her lap.
Emily smiled instantly.
“Oh…”
Luke looked over.
“I think she picked you.”
The volunteer nodded.
“Her name is Kira.”
Emily wrapped her arms around the giant dog.
“She’s just a sweetheart.”
Kira responded by licking Emily’s face.
Luke laughed.
“I think that’s a yes.”
? ? ?
Finally, a stocky little bulldog waddled into the room.
He stopped halfway across the floor.
Yawned.
Lay down.
And refused to move.
Luke stared at him.
“Is… is he okay?”
The volunteer laughed.
“Oh, he’s perfectly healthy.”
“He just doesn’t believe in unnecessary exercise.”
Emily couldn’t stop laughing.
The bulldog looked up, snorted once, and promptly fell asleep.
Luke smiled.
“I love him already.”
“His name’s Winston.”
Luke gently scratched Winston’s head.
“I think he’ll fit in just fine.”
? ? ?
By late afternoon, all three dogs were riding home.
Oscar stood with his front paws on the center console, whining at absolutely everything.
A passing motorcycle.
A mailbox.
A cow.
A butterfly.
Emily laughed until tears filled her eyes.
“I don’t think he’s been quiet for more than ten seconds.”
Luke grinned.
“I think he likes hearing himself.”
In the back seat, Kira calmly watched the scenery pass by.
Beside her, Winston snored loudly enough that Luke could hear him over the truck’s engine.
Emily looked back and smiled.
“I think he’s asleep.”
Luke laughed.
“I don’t think he ever fully woke up.”
? ? ?
When they arrived at the farmhouse, Luke opened the gate.
Oscar exploded out of the truck like a tiny rocket.
He ran in wide circles around the yard, barking and whining with excitement.
Kira followed at a dignified pace, carefully inspecting every corner of the property.
Winston climbed down slowly.
Stretched.
Looked around.
Walked ten feet.
Then flopped into the grass beneath a shade tree with a satisfied grunt.
Emily pointed toward him.
“That didn’t take long.”
Luke laughed.
“I think he found his favorite spot.”
? ? ?
The horses wandered over to the fence, curious about their new neighbors.
Oscar barked enthusiastically at them.
The gelding simply blinked.
Kira sat quietly, watching the horses with calm curiosity.
Winston barely opened one eye before deciding the situation wasn’t exciting enough to interrupt his nap.
Luke shook his head.
“We officially have the strangest family in Oregon.”
Emily slipped her hand into his.
“I wouldn’t change a single thing.”
As the sun began to set, Luke looked across the pasture.
Two horses grazed peacefully.
Oscar chased butterflies with endless enthusiasm.
Kira sat proudly near the porch, keeping watch over her family.
Winston snored beneath the old maple tree.
Luke smiled.
The farmhouse no longer echoed with emptiness.
It echoed with life.
With laughter.
With barking.
With hoofbeats.
And with the kind of love that turned a dream house into a forever home.