**Chapter 35: A New Home**

As the car pulled into the driveway, Ashley's eyes widened with curiosity. The house was a cozy two-story with a big backyard and a swing set. John expertly steered the car into the garage, and Ashley felt a sense of excitement building up inside her. As they stepped out of the car, a fluffy bundle of energy came bounding towards them, tail wagging furiously. "Boes, be gentle!" Emily squealed, laughing. Ashley's eyes landed on the adorable dog, and she couldn't help but coo, "Aww, who's this?" Boes, a golden retriever with a patchy brown coat, jumped up on Ashley, nuzzling her gently. "Ashley, this is Boes," Emily chimed in, beaming with pride. Ashley smiled, reaching out to pet the dog's soft fur. Boes licked her hand, and Ashley giggled. The family led Ashley inside, and she was immediately struck by the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the house. The living room was filled with comfortable furniture and colorful decorations, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafted from the kitchen. Karen showed Ashley to her room, which was a cozy space with a big window and a comfortable bed. Ashley's eyes widened as she took in the room, which was filled with all sorts of knick-knacks and mementos. "Thank you so much," Ashley said, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Thank you for taking me in." Karen smiled warmly and hugged Ashley. "We're so glad you're here, Ashley. You're part of the family now." Ashley smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Karen and her family. She looked around the room again, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. It was going to take some getting used to, but for now, she was just happy to have a place to call home. Ben poked his head into the room, holding out a big box. "Hey, Ashley, I brought you some stuff to help you get settled in. It's not much, but I thought you might like it." Ashley smiled, taking the box from Ben. "Thanks, Ben. That's really sweet of you." As they unpacked Ashley's belongings and got her settled in, the family chatted and laughed together. Ashley felt like she was already starting to feel at home, and she knew that she had a lot to be grateful for.