Chapter 5
For some reason, the dog’s attention seems to set Reeta on edge. Naomi, sensitive to shifts in mood, feels something like anger coming from Reeta. No, not anger really—more like rivalry, or combativeness. Almost like she knows the dog. But that’s silly, isn’t it?
Naomi says aloud, “You okay?”
Reeta looks at her, seeming startled by Naomi’s presence at her side.
“I am sorry. Of course, no worries. Why do you ask?”
Naomi measures her words carefully, not wanting to sound weird. She likes this woman from Lapland, and would like to build a friendship. Maybe more…
“You just seemed…really aware of the dog. That’s all. I thought maybe you were afraid of dogs.”
Again, Reeta chuckles, shaking her head no. “I like them well enough. Dogs have a kinship with humans that most people don’t wholly understand.”