A gentle, white-bearded elderly man who ran the pet store would stop by every hour to care for them, replenishing their crate with cool water and tender food while speaking softly to the small pups.
As they strolled back home, Clara held the rose while the calm of the park lingered within them, certain that their romance would endure—through the gardens, the blooms, the tales they’d shared, and in the memories of their loved ones.