Sophie felt her face go hot. "He's just protective."

Sophie looked at Barnaby, who was now snoring softly, his head in her lap. She typed back: Barnaby's scared too. But maybe tomorrow?

That spring, a new family moved in across the street. They had a boy named Leo, who was also twelve, and a golden retriever puppy named Maple. Maple was everything Barnaby was not: fluffy, eager, and clumsy in a way that made Sophie laugh.

Leo: Maple is freaking out. Can I bring her over? She calms down around Barnaby.