Letters from the Heart by Annie Bryant

“What am I supposed to say? Why are we all showing up at Avery’s on a Friday evening?”
    â€œImprovise. You’re good at that,” Katani told her.
    Maeve rang the doorbell, trying to think up a good story for Avery’s mother. To her surprise, a guy answered the door—a CUTE guy, in fact. He looked like he was about sixteen or seventeen, with sandy-brown hair and freckles.
    â€œHey,” Maeve said, staring. “Uh—is Avery here?”
    He nodded. “AVERY,” he yelled into the empty space of the room behind him.
    Avery came thudding down the stairs, two at a time. “Hey,” she said to Maeve, pushing her way past the cute guy. She looked closely at Maeve. “Why do you look like that? What are you staring at?”
    â€œWho’s he?” Maeve whispered.
    â€œScott, my brother ,” Avery said, disgusted. She paused, shaking her head at Maeve. “Don’t even START, Maeve. He’s OLD, for one thing. And he’s got a girlfriend. And he’s totally off-limits.”
    â€œI know. He’s way too old for me,” Maeve muttered. “I just didn’t realize that was Scott, okay? He’s a million times cuter than I remembered.”
    â€œYeah, he got his braces off,” Avery said with a shrug. “Come on, let’s go get Marty settled before my mom comes back.”
    Avery —Maeve thought with a sigh—wouldn’t know a cute guy if she tripped over one. Not even if she had one living under the same roof.
    Well, Maeve might just have to make up a few excuses to come over and help look in on Marty. After all, a weekend was an awfully long time to leave a poor helpless little dog like Marty out there in the Maddens’ carriage house!
    It took almost half an hour to get Marty’s bed set up in the corner. All the girls thought Avery had done an amazing job of getting the place ready for Marty. The place looked like a cool doggie apartment. She had piled up a ton of old blankets and had made a giant nest for him. She’d even laid out a row of new toys for him that she had bought with her allowance. The girls put his water bowl nearby, and his food dish, and hung his leash up on a hook.
    â€œThis looks great, Avery, but don’t you think it’s a little cold in here? Do you guys have a space heater?” Maeve asked. “I could go get it,” she volunteered, picturing Scott helping her trek through the big house to find it.
    â€œIt’s not safe to use a space heater. Those things cause fires. Besides, he’s a dog. He’ll be okay,” Katani said. “We’ll just tuck some extra blankets around him.”
    â€œUh-oh! My mom’s pulling into the driveway,” Avery said quickly. “We better get going before she finds us.”
    â€œAnd you’re sure she never uses the carriage house?” Katani asked for the dozenth time.
    â€œI’m positive! Look at the place. It’s just a giant-sized storage bin,” Avery exclaimed. “Marty is going to be FINE. I promise. I love him. I will take the absolute best care of him.I even bought a dog book. Look!” She held up a new paperback on the care and feeding of small dogs. “Now, go have a great time in New York, Charlotte. And the rest of you: DON’T WORRY.” She dropped down to give Marty one more hug. “I promise to shower him with so much attention that he’ll be spoiled rotten by the time Charlotte comes back for him on Sunday night!”
    Reluctantly, the girls gave Marty a last hug good-night. Maeve thought he looked awfully tiny sitting all alone in that big old carriage house.
    But Avery was firm. It was time for everyone to clear out. And time for Avery to indulge in her biggest dream—a weekend alone with her beloved borrowed, furry friend.
    CHAPTER 5
The Perfect Family
    O K, kids. We need to talk,” Maeve’s mom said, taking a deep breath.
    Here it was, dinnertime,