Chapter 3 #2
We worked in silence for a while, the cupboards going up fast in the small space.
“I need to build the lower ones tomorrow,” I muttered. “I can install those myself. Any chance you can come back later tomorrow afternoon and we’ll put in the counter?”
“Sure,” he agreed easily. “Linda’s working.”
“I’ll buy you lunch if you want,” I offered. “For today’s help.”
“Sounds good.”
Casey came in, holding a small swatch. “Will this be okay for the cupboards?”
I looked at the soft sage color. “It’ll play off nice with the cream you’ve painted,” she offered. “I can finish off the last wall by the window.”
“Fine.”
“Great.”
“The counters are butcher block,” Mark informed her—the kiss-ass he was.
“That’ll look good,” she said, sounding pleased. “Can you tell me where a furniture place is?”
Mark spoke before I could. “King’s on Main is good. My wife works there. Ask for Linda.”
“Awesome. Thanks.”
She left, and Mark leaned on the counter. “She’s pretty. Seems great.”
“Trouble.”
“How so?”
I shrugged. “Instinct.”
“She related to Lou?”
“In some way,” I replied. “I haven’t dug too deep.”
“And I doubt you will,” he said. “She seems nice, though.” He looked at the boxes she had carried in. “Independent. I doubt she’ll cause you much trouble.”
I didn’t know how to tell him she already had. Just not the kind of trouble he was thinking.
“Come on, I’m starving.”
Mark and I finished lunch, and I felt better. He didn’t bring up Casey, and neither did I. After, I drove to the vet, and Miller was pleased to see me, dancing around, panting, his tongue hanging out. I got down on my knee, ruffling his fur and talking to him.
“Who’s the best boy? Did you miss me? Did ya? I missed you.”
Dr. Connelly laughed. “He was a good boy. We found that a small piece of the thorn in his paw was still embedded, and that’s what caused the infection. We got it out, cleaned it well, and he’s doing much better.”
I stood, taking the bill. “Great. Thanks.”
“He needs a pill twice a day and to come back to have the bandage changed. We’ll check it out again. Meanwhile, if he gets lethargic or starts trying to get at the bandage, bring him in. Or if you notice a lack of appetite—or anything that seems off.”
“Will do.”
We drove home, Miller letting his head hang out of the window, enjoying the fresh air.
I had his leash tethered so he couldn’t get out, and he was strapped in for safety.
He was a great dog. I had rescued him as a pup, a fluffy little bundle of furry golden retriever.
He had been trapped in a burning house with his siblings, and I’d gone back in and gotten them out.
When the owner screamed she was missing one pup, I’d run back in, searching under the bed where she had yelled he liked to hide.
I barely made it out before the roof collapsed. My chief gave me shit for days.
The owner gifted me Miller.
He’d been my steady companion for three years. He came with me on my shifts and was well cared for at the station. Other than the firefighters, he was friendly with others, but more reticent than retrievers usually were. I didn’t mind. Even at the dog park, he preferred my company to other dogs.
We were made for each other.
He grew tired of looking out the window and sat in the passenger seat, facing me. I rubbed his neck, happy to have him with me again. He lifted his head, pushing his cold nose into my hand.
“I’m glad you’re back, buddy. I missed you. Cold nose and all.”
He let out a low noise and rested his head on his paws. “No more going off the trail when we go for a run. I hate seeing you hurt.” I scratched between his ears. “I’m sorry I missed a piece of the thorn. I thought I had it all.”
His tail thumped as if he was telling me it was okay. I felt terrible for overlooking a fragment and his getting an infection. I was grateful for a good vet and being able to get him treatment quickly.
“I got you a treat for when we get home.”
He lifted his head at the word treat. He loved those.
“Cheese,” I added.
His ears perked up and I chuckled. That was his favorite treat. I finished the drive with my hand resting on his neck, relieved he was back.
At the house, I saw Casey’s SUV had returned. I parked at the side and went in the back, Miller following me. His ears went up at the sounds from the other side of the wall. I stroked his fur in comfort.
“New tenant. She’s got a cat.”
I swore his ears went back.
“No worries, bud. He’ll stay over there, and you’re safe here.”
I grabbed a soda and sat down on the sofa, Miller crawling up beside me. I took a drink as I rubbed his head. “We should have an early night.”
His tail thumped.
“I need to go over and build the cupboards in the morning.” I yawned. “I’ll do that first thing.”
I got another thump.
I frowned, listening to the noises next door. Casey was moving things around, and I idly wondered what she had bought.
Then I wondered why I was curious.
There was another loud noise next door, and I could hear her voice and some curse words. I started to get up, then forced myself to sit.
Whatever she was doing was none of my business.
I didn’t care. And she didn’t want my help.
I wondered why that rankled.
Then I wondered if, somehow, I was fucked.
The laughter in my head told me I was.