Lonely In Longtree by Jill Stengl

thrashed her legs in an effort to hop out of the swing. “Dog!” she cried in excitement.
    A large brindle-and-white hound sniffed at a nearby tree. Marva recognized it as Monte’s pet. “I’m not sure if it’s friendly, Trixie. Better just talk to it from here.”
    But the little girl touched her feet to the ground and started running. “Trixie!” Marva trotted after her with Ginny bouncing on her shoulder.
    A throng of children, including Joey, had already gathered around the dog. Its tail whipped their legs as it tried to lick every face. When Trixie approached, the dog gave her a slurp from chin to forehead, and she sat down abruptly, knocked off balance. Marva expected her to cry, but instead she laughed in delight.
    Although the dog seemed friendly enough, its increasing excitement worried Marva. It could unintentionally knock a small child flat. She bent over to catch Trixie’s arm and pull her to a safe distance. The dog gave a little hop, and its warm tongue slopped over Marva’s lips and cheek.
    â€œEeww! Eeww! Oh bleah!” She staggered back, wiping her sleeve across her face. The children laughed, entirely unsympathetic, and continued to pat the dog.
    A shrill whistle split the air. The dog’s ears pricked; its head cocked. An instant later it vaulted Trixie in one bound and swished past Marva’s skirts.
    She spun around to see Monte, Myles, and Beulah approaching, all three wearing wide smiles. The dog capered around Monte’s feet, tongue lolling.
    â€œMama!” Trixie scrambled up and ran to greet Beulah, who scooped up her disheveled child.
    â€œAre you hungry, sweetie pie? It’s nearly time for supper.”
    â€œI hungry.” Trixie pointed at the dog. “Dog.”
    â€œYes, dear, it certainly is a dog. A rambunctious dog.”
    â€œRalph loves children,” Monte said quickly. “And pretty women.” He met Marva’s gaze, and she saw a twinkle in his eyes. He had definitely witnessed Ralph’s display of affection.
    â€œWe’ll have to clean up all these children before supper, but we’ll meet you in the dining room,” Myles told his brother. The two men thumped each other on the shoulders and parted ways. Monte and his dog headed toward the shore.
    â€œI can’t thank you enough for this, Marva,” Beulah said as Myles took the fussing Ginny from Marva’s arms. Joey clung to his father’s leg and jabbered about dogs. Myles smoothed his son’s sand-crusted forehead and smiled absently at his talk.
    â€œDid you have a good talk with. . .with your brother?” She wasn’t sure what to call him, though in her thoughts he was Monte.
    â€œVery good,” Myles said. “He’s an amazing man. What a blessing to see the changes God has made in his life! And he’s just as startled by the changes God has worked in me. The last he knew me, I was a bitter young man.”
    â€œHow nice.” Marva’s arm felt weak and light, empty of Ginny’s weight. A damp spot where the baby drooled on her shoulder felt cold. “I believe I’ll go freshen up, too. See you at dinner.”
    What kind of friend was she to begrudge Myles and Beulah this special time with Monte? The children were not particularly difficult to watch.
    To her surprise, Monte joined her on the path to the lodge. “I know Myles and Beulah have thanked you for watching their children these past few days, but I want to add my own thanks. You’re a generous woman to give of your time for our benefit.”
    More guilt heaped on her conscience. “I’m glad I could help.”
    He held the door open for her. “Thank you,” Marva said. In Monte Van Huysen’s dark eyes, she read admiration, gratitude, and. . .something more?
    â€œI’ll see you at supper, Miss Obermeier.”
    An idea took shape in her mind. If she was ever to find Lucky, she needed to visit other