like
taking candy from a baby. He’s been too busy to even start on his room, and
I’ve been working like a dog, almost done with the second coat of paint in
mine. The curtains are on the rod and new switch plates and outlet covers have
been purchased, both ready to go up as soon as the paint’s dry. I’d decided
against the softball theme and am going with a tranquil space, different hues
of light purples, sage greens and lots of candles. It’s gonna be great!
Finished up with the rinsing, I do a quick
walk-through, flipping off the lights and locking the door behind me. I turn to
walk the whole ten steps to Bennett’s, letting out a screamed “Oh!” as I catch
myself with one hand on the bricks, looking down to see what I’ve tripped over.
Looking right back up at me is one very miserable, very pregnant dog. Bassett hound?
Beagle? I don’t know, but she’s definitely in no mood to move, belly dragging
the ground.
“Are you lost, sweetie?” I bend down, gently
petting her head. “Huh? You have a collar, somebody must be missing you.”
“Charlie!” The yell is followed by a sharp whistle.
“Charlie, come ‘ere, girl!” rings through the evening air.
Charlie? This dog is most definitely female.
“Over here!” I yell.
“Oh, hi,” says a man whose good looks even the
enclosing darkness can’t hide. “Charlie,” he too squats down closer to the
hound, “girl, how’d you get out? You can’t have those puppies on a stranger’s
porch.” He chuckles lightly, giving Charlie a scratch behind the ears, her tail
wagging slightly.
I giggle at the poor dog’s obvious discomfort at
something as simple as a flick of the tail and the man looks up at me.
“I’m sorry,” he shakes his head, embarrassed. “I’m
Tucker Lucas, I live next door there.” He points to the right with a shift of
his head and offers me his hand. “Did you just move in?”
“Yeah, well, almost,” I babble. “I mean yes, I’m
moving in, getting things ready. I’m Laney Walker.” I extend my hand to his. “Nice
to meet you.”
“You too.” He smiles, his white teeth glowing in
the dusk. “Sorry about Charlie here. She’s getting stir crazy waiting for the
puppies.”
“What kind of dog is she?”
“She’s a beagle. Although she’s not too miniature
right now,” he laughs.
“She’s precious, but miserable I’m sure.” I stand, glancing
around awkwardly and running my hands down my pant legs, out of things to say.
“Um, so very nice to meet you, Laney, and welcome
to the neighborhood. You’ll love it here, everyone’s real friendly. Come on,
Charlie,” he hoists the grunting dog into his arms, “say goodbye to Laney.”
“Bye, Charlie.” I grin at the sweet animal and rub
her head. “Night, Tucker.”
“Night, neighbor.”
I watch him walk away, smirking as he lugs the mama
across the lawn, then turn and head to Bennett’s door. “Knock knock!” I call
out as I open the door.
“Hey!” Bennett pops in front of me, her face
concerned. “What took you so long?”
“I met our neighbor. His pregnant dog wandered up
on my porch.”
“ His ?” She wiggles her eyebrows and grins.
“Yeah?” I give her a questioning look, not quite
catching what she’s throwing.
“Describe.” She rolls her fingertips together, a
curious smile twisting her mouth.
“I don’t know, short, bald, probably seventy,
seventy-five. Why?”
“Oh.” Her shoulders slump and she frowns.
Seriously? Has she seen her boyfriend lately? He’s
almost as hot as his little brother, thus the reason I could care less that our
neighbor is, in fact, very easy on the eyes. And when I say easy on the eyes, I
mean God was good to him, but he’s got nothing on the youngest Kendrick man.
“I’m kidding you, Ben. He’s cute, probably thirty,
blond hair. Seemed very nice.” I shrug, heading to the kitchen in search of the
wine I had planned. “Why do you care anyway? You and Tate okay?”
“Of course we