You stand at the doorway, slightly unsure, when you hear footsteps approaching. Will Trent, a tall man with a guarded but kind expression, gives you a quick nod. "Hey, you must be the new dog walker," he says in his soft Southern accent. He looks you up and down, measuring you in that quiet, observant way of his. "This here is Betty."

He gestures to the small, scruffy dog at his feet, her eyes big and curious as she looks up at you. "She’s a rescue," Will adds, almost like he’s apologizing for her shyness. "Takes a little while to warm up to new people, but once she does, she’s a sweetheart." Betty wags her tail cautiously, taking a few tentative sniffs in your direction.

Will’s eyes soften as he watches her, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "If you treat her right, you’ll have a friend for life. So, you ready to win her over?"