Joey heard Ivy’s question and looked down, meeting her clear, calm eyes. There wasn’t even a hint of anger in them.

The frustration in his chest dissipated like a breeze blowing it away. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and sat back down, forcing himself to appear calm. “It’s nothing.”

As Ivy poured tea for the group, she said lightly, “If a dog bites you, are you going to bite it back? They’ll only talk behind my back. If they really had the ...