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leaped to his feet, tail wagging hard enough to whap Tovah’s legs as she filled his bowl. In his eagerness to get to the food, Max stepped all over her feet, his nails digging in.
    “Ouch, Max!” She limped out of the way, but the damage wasn’t permanent. He hadn’t even scratched her. “Crazy mutt, watch what you’re doing.”
    Tovah couldn’t compete with food. Stepping around the dog, she took from the freezer one of the challahs she baked eight or ten at a time and laid it out to thaw. She was just getting ready to head upstairs for a quick shower when the doorbell rang.
    It was the Realtor from next door. She smiled brightly when Tovah cracked open the door. She looked tired, despite the wide grin. “Ms. Connelly?”
    “Yes?” It shouldn’t be a surprise she knew Tovah’s name. Realtors made it their business to know neighborhoods. Still, Tovah was wary.
    “Beth Richards.” The Realtor held out a hand that Tovah reached to take automatically.
    Max nudged open the door and tried to make an escape, but Tovah grabbed his collar. Max, spotting freedom, pulled. She braced herself against his weight. The rubber-backed mat beneath her moved. She stepped down, hard, and had to reach for the doorframe to catch herself before she could trip. The whole debacle took only a few seconds, but it felt like forever until she could say, “Can I help you with something?”
    Beth Richards handed Tovah a card with her picture and information on it. “I’m the agent for the house next door.”
    Tovah smiled politely. Max wouldn’t be deterred. She released his collar to let him into the yard. He wouldn’t run past the invisible fence. With a yelp, he surged past the Realtor, almost knocking her over, too.
    “Sorry,” Tovah said. “He’s a big puppy.”
    Beth Richards blinked. “Yes. St. Bernard?”
    “Yep.” Tovah looked at the card in her hand. “The Smiths moved out three months ago. I guess you’re having some trouble?”
    “It’s only a matter of finding the right family for the property, that’s all.” The Realtor sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than anyone.
    “And…is there something I can help you with?” Tovah looked past her to the yard, where Max had flopped happily into the grass and was woofing at a squirrel. “If it’s about the dog, he stays in my yard. I know he can be intimidating, but—”
    “Oh, no. The dog’s fine.” Richards smoothed a hank of fur off her skirt. “Really. It’s just that I was wondering if you’d mind keeping my card handy. In case you meet someone who’s in the market for a house like the property next door.”
    “Oh, sure. Of course.” Tovah hadn’t expected that. “I don’t know anyone looking right now, but of course I’ll keep you in mind.”
    “Thanks.” Richards had pasted her smile back on. She glanced over Tovah’s shoulder, down the hall. “You’ve done some nice things to your place.”
    “Thanks. A matter of necessity, really.”
    The Realtor looked at the wheelchair ramp on the side of the front porch. “Ah. The door was replaced to accommodate a chair?”
    She was good. Tovah could practically hear the gears turning inside her head as she assessed the “upgrades.” “Yes.”
    “Did you do extensive work inside, too? Properties with accommodations for the disabled are quite valuable.” Richards nodded firmly. “If you’re ever looking to sell—”
    “I’ll keep you in mind.” Tovah’s smile wasn’t as bright as Richards’s. “But I don’t plan on moving any time soon. Really.”
    “Right. Of course.” The Realtor backed up, looking at the new doorframe, which, with its glass side panels, was much nicer than the original had been. “Well, thanks for keeping me in mind. If you come across anyone looking, please pass my card along.”
    “I’ll do that. Max!” Tovah gestured. “Come inside!”
    Max lumbered to his feet and up the ramp. Both women moved aside to let him pass. The Realtor scraped