They finally drove into the small town of Harland Creek just as the sun was setting. Once they were on Main Street, Elana pulled over and parked in front of a floral shop.
“What are you doing?” Grandma Cecilia glared.
“Grandma, the directions don’t go any further. I’m going to stop and ask for directions before we get lost. Stay here. I’ll be right back.” Elana got out of the van and shut the door behind her. She walked up to the floral shop but stopped when she noticed theClosedsign. She continued walking down the sidewalk until she spotted a hair salon with two women milling about inside.
Elana glanced at the name of the salon and cringed. “Who would name their beauty salon S&M?”
One of the women, an older woman with short hair, noticed her staring at them through the door and came over and opened it.
“Can I help you, honey?” She smiled.
“I certainly hope so. I’m looking for directions to a dog rescue. I don’t know the name or who owns it…”
The woman brightened. “You’re talking about the dog rescue Ethan runs.”
Elana nodded. “Yes, his name is Ethan. Can you tell me how to get there? It doesn’t show up on my GPS.”
The older woman laughed. “You won’t find it on GPS because the place is barely a year old. Come inside and let me grab a piece of paper and write down directions. I’m Sylvia, by the way.” She stepped aside so Elana could enter.
She smiled. “I’m Elana. I’m guessing you are the owner of S&M? Does the S stand for Sylvia?”
Sylvia beamed. “Yes, it does. And the M stands for Maggie, my friend. She is in the back, closing everything down for the day.” She pulled a notepad out of a drawer of the front desk. She scribbled some directions down and then explained them. Tearing off the piece of paper, she handed it to Elana.
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.” Elana walked toward the door.
“Of course. Welcome to Harland Creek.” Sylvia gave her a wave as she left.
When Elana got back to the van, her grandmother shoved her sunglasses back in her bag. “Did you find out where this place is?”
Elana took one last look at the written directions and then handed them to Grandma Cecilia. “Yes. It’s out of town off a dirt road. So when we get close, help me look for it.”
Within fifteen minutes, they arrived at a cabin located off the road. There were kennels near the house, and a very well-built man was shirtless and feeding the dogs.
“Hubba, hubba.” Grandma Cecilia waggled her eyebrows.
Elana snorted. “Easy. Don’t make me rat you out to your online boyfriend.”
Grandma Cecilia shrugged. “No harm in looking. Come on.” She opened her door and got out.
Elana braced herself and slid out of the van.
The man feeding the dogs wiped his hands off and grabbed his shirt off the fence. He pulled the T-shirt over his head and made his way over to them with a German shepherd at his side.
“Ethan Rodriguez?” Grandma cocked her head.
A smile played on his lips. “You must be Cecilia Taylor.” He stuck out his hand.
Grandma Cecilia shoved his hand away and pulled him into a big hug. He laughed and wrapped his arms around her.
Elana felt her eyes grow wide.
“I’m so glad to finally meet you, Ethan.” She turned to Elana. “This is my beautiful granddaughter, Elana.”
Elana stepped forward and held out her hand. “Hi, Ethan. Nice to meet you.”
They shook hands, and the door to the cabin opened. Out stepped a beautiful blonde woman who looked like she could have stepped off the cover of a high-fashion magazine.
Ethan turned and smiled up at her. “Baby, we have company.”
