Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twlight. No copyright infringement is intended but Prince, PJ, Mack, and the plot is mine.

Thank you to all of you trusting me to take you on this ride. I know things are still a bit blurry, but hopefully this chapter gives a few more answers.

Chapter 3

"You in here, Bella?"

Harry's voice bellows through the living room and out the sliding glass door to the patio where I'm sitting, watching Mack and Scarlett chase imaginary something or others around the back yard. I don't bother to tell him where I am, he'll find me. And find me he does a few moments later.

"Well don't you look comfortable?" I look up at him, grinning, but he's not talking to me. He's talking to Prince who is lying beside my chair on a giant pillow.

He grunts, but it's one full of love more than annoyance and drops into the chair on the other side of Prince. "Damn dog, he'd follow you into a burning building. You know that, right?"

I glance down at Prince who has rolled over onto his back, balls out for the world to see. "Yeah, well I'm not sure how much good that would do." We both laugh.

"How did PJ's training go?"

Harry shakes his head. "That fool is a goofball just like his daddy," he says glancing down at Prince. "He's coming along though. He'll be ready by Nationals in two months."

"I'm so excited for him to get in the ring and show everyone what he can do."

Harry looks at me. "I know you are, Bella. I know this whole process has been longer than you want it to be, but trust me. This is all going to be for the best."

I wave him off. "Of course, I trust you. Without you I'd just be some crazy lady with too many dogs."

"Speaking of," he drawls in that way when he has something to say he's not sure how I'll take. "A friend of mine reached out to me last night. He has a female he's looking to sell. She just had her first heat. He's going a different direction with his program, but he wants her to go somewhere she'll be treated well."

"You think she'd work with what we've got?"

He nods. "She'd definitely be a good outcross with PJ or even Deuce or Simon. Simon will be almost sixteen months old by the time she has her next heat. That would be a really nice pairing."

I shrug. "If you think it works, do what you need to do to make it happen."

We're both quiet for a bit, watching the dogs play.

A few minutes pass then he says, "There's been a lot that has happened over the past year, Bella, but I want you to know, what you're doing is a really good thing."

I look at him, a little stunned because Harry normally doesn't say things like that. "Um, thank you. I wouldn't be able to do any of it without you and Peter. Jasper, too."

"I wasn't talking about the dog's little girl, though you impress me every day with your dedication and professionalism when it comes to the business side of it all. I mean what you've done with Leah and Maria."

"Oh," is all I manage to say, overwhelmed.

I wait a few moments then say, "I know you don't understand why I've done some of the things I've done. No one does and I get that. It doesn't make much sense to me either, especially after some of the things Edward has done. All I can tell you is I love Leah and Maria like they were my own, have since I first met them, so to me, there really wasn't any other choice but to help."

He chuckles, though I can tell there's some exasperation mixed in there. "Girl there's helping, then there's you. What you've done goes way beyond just helping."

I shrug because what can I say? "I suppose you're right. But letting Leah come live here was a no brainer. She asked, begged me to come back. I know Rose was struggling with having Leah live with her. Leah was unhappy and I won't lie, I missed her like crazy."

"I know you did. Don't get me wrong," he goes on after a pause. "I adore Leah. She's a good kid and she loves dogs almost as much as you and I do. I just wonder if she'll ever truly realize and know what a sacrifice you've made for her? What all you had to go through?"

Looking away I swallow past the lump that's formed in my throat. I feel warm breath through my jeans and look down to see Prince leaning against my leg, as if he knows I'm upset. He always seems to know. "I hope not," I answer him softly, but truthfully.

"Bella."

I raise my hand at him. "Harry, look. I know you're worried about me. Everyone is. I'm okay, most of the time anyway. I have you and Peter, Leah and Maria, and all the dogs. Things are good. I didn't plan on any of this," I spread my arms to encompass everything around me. "But look what we've managed to do in a little over a year. It's been a hell of a year, I'll give you that, but I'm proud of where I am now. Where we all are."

"I'm proud of you, too, I just worry. That asshole is going to come back at some point, we both know that. I don't want him to destroy what you've worked so hard for is all. Your reputation as an American Bully breeder is one of the best out there because you handle your business the way it's supposed to be done. Your dogs are top quality,"

"Because of you," I interrupt.

He tips his head in acknowledgement and keeps going. "The waiting list for one of your puppies is over a year long at this point. You have semen being shipped all over the world because everyone wants what we're producing here."

I pat Prince on the head. "Well, that's mostly thanks to this old guy here." I scratch behind his ear. "Six years old and still going strong, isn't that right handsome?" He licks my hand in agreement.

"He sure does love you," Harry muses. "About the only good thing Edward has done as far as I'm concerned is make sure Jasper got Prince back to you. Who knows what would have happened to him if he would have kept him?"

I look away because the thought of the what if always makes my stomach hurt. "I know. Edward has always known I'd take care of Prince though."

"He doesn't deserve that dog." Harry's words are harsh, but I can't help but agree.

"He did make him a Grand Champion though."

Harry snorts. "Bullshit. Prince did that just by being the dog he is. I'll give you Edward was a damn good promoter, but let's not kid ourselves, huh? Prince did most of the work."

I don't say anything back because I don't feel like arguing with Harry. He and I will never agree on this anyway. Harry has been around the dog world a hell of a lot longer than I have and is one of the most respected trainers and handlers in the country, so the man knows what he's talking about when it comes to dogs. He's a bit biased as far as Edward is concerned, however. With good reason I suppose but there's no changing his mind on this point, so I don't even try.

"I'm making spaghetti for dinner if you want to stay," I say, purposely changing the subject.

He narrows his eyes. "Homemade sauce?"

I roll my eyes at him. "Yes, of course. Leah's friend Leslie is having dinner with us, too. Oh, and Tanya will be here."

He sighs. I know how he feels about Tanya. "Bella,"

"She's Leah's mom, Harry. She's been trying so hard and doing really well. It'll be fine, you'll see."

"Okay, fine, if you say so," he says as he stands. "That's another subject for another day."

"Or maybe it doesn't have to be any day," I volley back as I stand as well and call for Mack and Scarlett.

"That woman should kiss your feet or clean your house or get on her hands and knees and bow before you for what you've done for her. I don't know anyone but you who would help the ex-wife of the boyfriend who cheated and stole from her. Only you would be crazy enough to do something like that for people who frankly don't deserve it."

I sigh telling him for the hundredth time, "I did it for Leah and Maria. I'm not excusing Tanya's behavior from before, but she's changed and she's trying to make amends for what she did. I respect that. As a mom myself, I'm just glad the girls have her back in their life."

"Make no mistake, girl, those two girls think of you and love you like their mother, not Tanya. I agree that's it's commendable Tanya is working hard to correct her mistakes, but if she ever even thinks of turning on you, she'll have to answer to me."

"Or Senna," I grin at him knowing that will make him smile. And it does. Harry loves my wild and crazy best friend as much as I do.

"Yeah, sic Senna after her," he chuckles evilly then whistles for the dogs who of course come running to him right away. "Is my girl coming to dinner, too?"

I shake my head as we go back into the house. "She's busy tonight but she'll be by this week sometime. Besides, I wouldn't torture Tanya that way. Senna isn't a big fan of Tanya."

"Or Edward."

"Or Edward," I agree. "So, I figure it's best she's not here anyway."

He nods but thankfully doesn't make any comment. "Okay then, I'll call my friend about the female and make arrangements to get her picked up. I'll call Dr. Wolfe and get an appointment made so she can look her over before I make the final arrangements. You can fill me in on your call with Carlos at dinner."

"Sounds good," I tell him grabbing pots and ingredients to get the sauce started. "Dinner will be about six thirty or so."

"Can't wait," he answers as he walks to the back door, dogs following him as he goes.

Once he's gone and the rest of the dogs are either sleeping or in their playroom, I get the sauce underway. As I chop and mix and taste as I go, my mind keeps going over the things Harry said. None of it is wrong or even surprising as far as that goes. At least not about Tanya and Edward. I'm not sure I believe him about the girls and their feelings about me though. Oh, I know they both love me, and I know without a doubt I've given them the safety and stability they've needed for a long time now. Even before Kate and the drugs and everything else.

At one time, Tanya and Edward were good people and even better parents. The girls have told me about good times they had when they were younger; I've seen the videos on Facebook. Edward's live videos from the time he was showing and traveling with Prince is part of what made me fall in love with him. Or at least the version of him that they portrayed. Now I know better. Of course, that Edward, the one who was charismatic and funny, a little cocky but had the product to back up his words, is also part of the reason for his downfall. That environment coupled with his addictive personality were not a good mix. I didn't know him back then; I've only heard and seen what he was like. After being in this dog business for over a year now, I can understand, to a point at least, how both Edward and Tanya wound up where they did. It doesn't excuse anything, at all, and it doesn't make it okay in any way, but the gift of hindsight does give me a perspective I didn't have fourteen months ago. The therapy I've been getting weekly doesn't hurt either.

I glance at the clock pleased that I'll have enough time to get in a little work for Maggie before Leah and Leslie get home after practice. Another thing I never thought I'd be doing. My life is so different from where I was a year ago. As Dr. Sue tells me all the time, just because things are different doesn't make them bad or good. It's taken me months, and a lot of tears, to get where I am now. Where for the most part, I agree things have sure seemed to turn out like they were supposed to. I could do without the heartache and pain and betrayal, but maybe if I didn't have that I wouldn't have the dog business, or more importantly, Leah and Maria.

I've tried to stop with the what ifs and if only. I learned after Riley died there are some things I will never understand. I can only accept. Losing your husband and best friend tends to do that. Before I get myself worked up over Riley and what he must think of some of the choices I've made the past two years, I turn the sauce down to simmer and go find my laptop to put in a few hours work.

The front door opens hours later, and the sound of pounding footsteps and giggles startles me.

"Hey, you two," I smile when Leah and Leslie wander into my office. I make sure to save where I am in QuickBooks before shutting the laptop. "How was practice?"

They groan in turn, and I laugh. "That good, huh?"

Leslie nudges Leah and Leah rolls her eyes at her friend before she looks at me. "It was fine, just boring." Leslie giggles again and I'm sure there's more to that story than they're going to tell me but it's fine. Almost thirteen-year-olds deserve to have a few secrets.

"Did your mom text you when she was going to be here?" I ask Leah as we make our way to the kitchen. It smells delicious in here if I do say so myself. So good Leah heads straight for the sauce with her finger out, ready for a taste. "Quit it," I say as I smack her finger away from the pot. "Grab a handful of grapes or carrots if you're starving. Dinner won't be too much longer."

She huffs but goes to the fridge. Answering my question, she tells me, "Yeah, she should be here in about twenty minutes."

I glance at the clock. It's almost six which means she'll be here when she said she would be. A definite improvement from a few months ago when she'd show up whenever she got around to it.

"Okay then you two set the table and I'll put the salad together. While you and your mom visit, I'll cook the spaghetti and it should be done by the time you two are done and you show her the puppies. Sound like a plan?"

"Yep," Leah gives me a playful salute then the two of them go off to do what I asked.

Focusing on mixing the salad I don't hear the doorbell the first time. Leah is already at the door though, throwing it open and I hear a "Hey mom," in a happy voice that makes me smile. Saying a quick prayer for a pleasant dinner, I look up when Leah leads Tanya into the kitchen, chattering a mile a minute at her.

"Hey, Tanya," I greet her. "It's nice to see you."

So maybe a few more answers? I know there are more questions, too, but trust me, I'll get you all the answers you need. Be patient and trust me, okay? I promise not to drag out all the background/set-up longer than necessary. We're only in chapter 3, lol, it takes a little bit of time.

Thanks so much for reading, it means more than I could possibly tell you all! xo