Chapter 2 #2
We park in front of the pale butter ranch house with the dark roof.
An eggplant colored door matches shutters on either side of a wide window.
There is an usual vibe here. Like someone has put lots of love into the place.
The carved door handle looks heavy. A hodgepodge of baskets and pots show flowers in all sorts of colors.
Beautiful macramé hangs from rafters and hold huge ferns on either corner of the porch. Stunning.
The home sits facing a grassy field bordered by wildflowers. Everything is a bit overgrown. The wildness is beautiful though.
“I don’t know what to look at first.”
We exit the truck and Landon leads the way. A dog’s deep bark is followed by another’s whine of impatience. Then another higher pitched yap joins in the conversation.
“Is that Barney and friend?”
“Biscuit. We call them The B Boys. Have you met?”
“We have. And I’ve had a few conversations with your father. The dog loves me.”
Landon’s expression of surprise isn’t a shock. Ronnie has mentioned the oddity before.
“Then you are among the chosen few. He can be distant. Sometimes there is an attitude problem.”
Before there is time for a response, the squeak of the front screen door grabs my attention.
“I need to W-D that.”
Ronnie walks out eating from a paper plate. He wears a long loose over the head emerald green number. Something I haven’t seen in awhile. I think this is what they used to call a caftan. My grandmother had quite a few.
I want to smile at the contradiction of the image. Burley biker, flowing caftan. Good for you, Ronnie. It shows confidence in being exactly who he is. My brown Rat Terrier boyfriend Biscuit, and Barney The Wonder Dog, push past him. Apparently, this is the after two am crowd.
Landon takes my hand. While Barney heads our way, Biscuit stands guard for a moment assessing with his one eye who dares invade the property. When he catches my scent, all guards drop. He wiggles down the stairs, waving his tail in greeting. It’s you! It’s you!
“Steady!”
Landon’s one word warning has nothing to do with the little guy.
A lumbering, excited mix of a big chestnut colored boy comes at me.
The black patch angled on top of his head is in the shape of a beret.
It dips over one eye like a jaunty chapeaux.
I see a little drop of Setter mixed with lots of Boxer. And as stated, horse. Short hair.
The powerful wagging tail smacks his companion on the head pushing him aside and off his paws. Little Biscuit sends Barney a growling message, then he shakes off the hit. His pal pays no attention whatsoever and goes directly for my crotch. A sniff and then eyes and big paws are on me.
“Barney!” Landon growls.
“Hello, B Boys! I will greet you properly in a minute, Biscuit.”
“Down!”
Ronnie’s directive falls on deaf floppy ears. I am face to face with my new boyfriend and his breath smells of carrot. A sound comes from the depth of the dog as he introduces himself.
“Who’s the boy? You’re a big boo-boo boy!” I coo.
“Big boo-boo? That’s a first. Get down, Barney!”
Landon takes him by the collar and escorts him to the ground. But the dog is not going without letting me know it is not his idea. He strains at the hold and whines the rest of what he had to tell me.
I bend down and give the little guy his due. One eye looks lovingly at my face so I pick him up and give a cuddle.
“I didn’t forget you, handsome.”
“Welcome, Kim,” Ronnie adds, waving us forward. “I’m happy you’re gonna be with us tonight, honey.”
“Thank you for allowing me to.”
“You can stay however long you want. Mi casa es su casa.”
“Did you save some of that for us?” Landon adds, eyeing the dessert. “It’s his famous pineapple upside down cake. He makes it for me every visit.”
Savoring the last bite on his plate, Ronnie answers.
“You snooze you lose, boy. Come in. I have coffee brewing and I’m sure we can find something else good to eat.”
I set the dog down and follow Landon. Ascending the last step to the porch, Ronnie’s friendly face and warm welcome make me feel comforted.
He leans over to offer a cheek and a hug.
I readily accept and kiss the stubbled surface of a white beard.
The dogs are having none of his affection sent in my direction.
They push their way between us, jockeying for position.
“Boys! Leave her alone!”
Biscuit struts ahead, leading the way inside.
His backside is on full display by a lifted tail.
His friend follows and takes a sniff for good measure.
Biscuit’s head swerves and he shows his teeth.
Barney begins to run around the house in a frenzy of excitement.
There is an adult in this situation and a toddler. Landon lays down his law.
“Stop! Go lay down.”
Something in the tone connects with the big boy.
He stops in his tracks, circles in front of the club chair and plops down on all legs.
He looks at his human like a child does a parent when they have followed instructions for the first time.
The expression of joy never leaves his funny face.
I can feel how difficult it is for him to stay seated when a new person is in the house.
But he is so darn sweet, it is hard to stay frustrated with whatever he does.
Landon was right. I’d be laughing with this one too.
It is a cozy, warm slightly messy living room.
The worn burgundy leather couch sits in front of a fireplace.
Two mismatched fabric club chairs anchor the ends.
Looks like the place is well lived in and has been for awhile.
There is a settling of dust on the dark surfaces.
I see Landon’s eyes fall on the top of the closest side table.
Photographs take up an entire wall leading into what looks like the kitchen and dining area.
What catches my eye most are the books. The wall behind the couch displays hundreds of them ceiling to floor.
They look well used by a voracious reader.
Not many people have a library ladder, but he does. It is a good look.
“Love the books, Ronnie. I’m a reader too.”
“This one is worse than me. Tell her,” he says, pitching a thumb at Landon.
“Guilty. What do you like to read?”
“Just about anything well done. Mystery, romance, autobiographies.”
“Have you read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? It was published like fifteen years ago, but I hadn’t read it.”
“No. Is it good?”
“I’m almost halfway through. I really like it.”
Ronnie has reclaimed his seat on the couch, legs up. It looks as comfortable as an old friend’s hug. Biscuit jumps on his lap.
“Get the girl some coffee,” he says. “And there’s banana pudding in there if anyone wants it.”
Walking ahead, Landon signals me to follow.
“Let me show you your room, then if you want coffee we can relax a little before we hit the sack.”
I almost chuckle at the old-fashioned expression. It is a surprise coming from a man capable of spitting in someone’s face. I hadn’t noticed before how he chews on the inside of his cheek right before smiling.
“I don’t think I will be in the mood for anything but bed. Maybe a water. I just want to sleep. Is that okay?”
“Sure. Dad and I will be up for awhile if you change your mind.”
“You get a good sleep, honey. The world will right itself tomorrow,” Ronnie adds.
“Thanks again, guys. See you in the morning.”
Following Landon out of the room into the well-lit hallway, we arrive at the second door on the left. When he swings it open and turns on the light, I am treated to an unexpected view.
“Here you go. Come in, I’ll give you the tour.”
“This is very cool. The windows. I love it.”
An angled wide bed takes its place in the far corner. On either side tall narrow windows with beautiful leaded glass make an impression. I cannot see what they look out at though. Right now it is only darkness.
“This is where I do most of my reading. When I am here, it’s kind of an escape. Working at the bar isn’t really my thing,” he says, closing the curtains.
“This is your room?”
“Yeah, but believe me, I can sleep anywhere. Oh, and there’s towels and an extra blanket in the cupboard and a new toothbrush in the top drawer in the bathroom. If there is anything else you need, just let me know.”
“Thank you. Thank you, thank you. I will be asleep in no time and all this will be out of my head. Thanks to you and Lex and your dad.”
“Sometimes you need to rely on your friends. Even new ones.”
As he leaves the room, there is one final message.
“Good dreams, Kim.”