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  “So, the woman’s daughter is going to come get him?” Serena clarified.

  “I actually talked to her myself, and she was going to look for a new home for the dog. I told her that we might have one here in Lantern Beach.”

  Serena could hardly breathe as she tried to process what Cassidy had just said. “You mean . . .”

  Cassidy smiled. “That you can keep the dog if you want.”

  She let out a little squeal and hugged Nutty Buddy closer. “I would love to have this dog. He feels like my long-lost best friend.”

  Cassidy’s smile grew wider. “I thought you might feel that way.”

  “But I’m going to have to rename him.”

  Cassidy and Webster both groaned.

  “No, for real this time,” Serena said. “This is going to be the last time I do this.”

  “And what are you going to name him now?” Webster asked.

  She looked at the dog and rubbed his ears. “Scoops.”

  “Scoops?” Cassidy asked.

  Serena shrugged. “I thought it was fitting. I mean, I am the ice cream lady, but I am also a reporter who is out getting the scoop. Get it?”

  Cassidy and Webster groaned again. But then they chuckled.

  “I like it,” Webster said.

  “Do you know what? I like it too,” Cassidy said before standing. “I’m going to get going now. But if you need anything, let me know.”

  Serena nodded and waved goodbye.

  Then it was just her, Webster, and Scoops.

  “So, I know things kind of started off rocky between us,” Webster said.

  “You noticed?” She’d thought he was clueless.

  “I just pretended like I didn’t for the sake of peace. I know it’s weird when somebody new steps into a leadership position. But I’m hoping that you and I will work together. So far, I feel like we’re a good team.”

  Serena wanted to make a smart comeback. But she wouldn’t be true to herself if she did. “You know what? I think we might make a good team too. As long as Scoops is here to help us out.”

  Webster rubbed the dog’s head. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  Coming Next: Milkshake Up

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  Hidden Currents

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  About the Author

  USA Today has called Christy Barritt's books “scary, funny, passionate, and quirky.”

  Christy writes both mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean with underlying messages of faith. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, have been twice nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, and have finaled for both a Carol Award and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year.

  She is married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she's not trying to be. Christy is a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado.

  When she's not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident-prone she is.

  Find Christy online at:

  www.christybarritt.com

  www.facebook.com/christybarritt

  www.twitter.com/cbarritt

  Sign up for Christy’s newsletter to get information on all of her latest releases here: www.christybarritt.com/newsletter-sign-up/

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