by Cat Clayton
“I don’t know. It was just a suggestion,” Gertie said and shrugged. “What’s on the agenda today?”
Daniel leaned over, peering at the book. “Five washes and two of them are full grooms, one Daniel’s Delight and one Lil’ Stinker. You up for getting your hands wet, Ms. Gertie?”
“Sure. Got nothing better to do. Whatcha gonna pay me?” she said, smacking the palms of her hands and rubbing them together.
Always about the money. “We’ll talk about it later. Let’s see how we get through the rest of this week first.” I imagined it might be challenging to wash dogs in those boots, but it didn’t look like she’d brought along a change of shoes with her. “Trade shoes with me.” I kicked off my new, blingy flip-flops.
Gertie folded her arms, pouted for a second, and then sat down to take the boots off. “Fine,” she said. “But while we do that let’s talk about the distinctive loud roar outside my window the night before last, oh... about midnight.” She waggled her eyebrows and grinned. She tossed me the boots and the pair of socks she’d borrowed from my suitcase.
Sheesh, she’s good. I shrugged. I knew dodging her wouldn’t work, but I would not wave a white flag and surrender.
“I do not understand what you’re referring to,” I said.
“Uh, huh.” She crossed her stubby legs and pumped her foot. “I see. Well, I peeked out my window when I heard the commotion and saw that fine specimen Officer Jackson dropping you off.” She winked. “You got something to say for yourself?”
Yeah, Chiquita. I heard it, too. What’s up with consorting with the enemy? Cuff, who’d been quietly basking in the sun, peered at me.
“I’d like to know too, Little Red.” Daniel winked.
I glared at him. “You should know! You’re the one who left me stranded with him after the party!” I crossed my arms in defense. “He took me home. End of story. And don’t call me Little Red.”
“You’re little and you have red hair, and for the record, I didn’t leave you stranded,” Daniel said, sporting a mischievous grin.
Gertie shook a finger in my direction. “I know when you’re fibbing,” she said.
“I am not lying! We conversed, and he drove me home. That’s it!” I couldn’t look at either of them or they’d both see right through me. They’d both see I was totally crushing on him.
“Conversed,” Daniel said and nudged Gertie’s arm.
Gertie hooted. “Did y’all converse with your lips? And tongue?”
“Oh my gosh! Y’all are terrible! All we did was talk.” So much for holding them at bay. We were in wide open waters now. Two sharks circling a small sailboat named Steely.
Daniel play-slapped me on the shoulder. “Girl, you’re blushing.” He hopped up from his stool. “We must table this convo for later.” He sighed. “Look at the mop heading our way. I got a call this morning. Patches had a run-in with a skunk. Hold your noses, everyone!”
I followed his glance out the window. Patches, a black and white border collie, yanked her owner, Ms. Jinks, our town librarian, across the street directly to our front door. They both entered panting.
Dressed in faded blue jean overalls tucked into red Ropers, a white t-shirt, fuzzy blonde hair pulled up into an unruly bun, Petunia Jinks wasn’t your typical librarian. She also organized the town’s community garden behind the library.
“Hi y’all!” I said as the duo entered. I received a bushy tail wag in response from the happy pup who looked like she’d gone swimming in a mud pit and reeked to high Heavens.
Cuff took one sniff of Patches. Phew! She needs the Lil’ Stinker package! He laid his head down, covering his nose with both front paws.
“Let’s get to work, Ms. Gertie.” Daniel led Patches and Gertie back to the washroom.
Pinching her nose, Gertie waddled behind him. “Danny Boy, you can call me Gigi.” She’d talk his ear off back there, for sure. Better him than me.
I flipped the switch for the ceiling fan and lit the lemon meringue pie scented candle on the corner of the counter. Ms. Jinks checked her cell phone. Like the White Rabbit, she was always in a hurry.
“Ms. Steely,” she said in a musical voice. “I’ve got to get back to the library. With the summer heat, the children’s area is packed today, and I’ve left the sprinklers going on the new trees I planted this spring. I sure wish I could hire a few high school kids to assist me in the summers. But you know, city budget cuts and all.”
“What about getting a few volunteers?” I asked her. It seemed many folks were working on a tight budget these days, and I wondered what Buckleville could do to boost the economy in our small town. Daniel thought our recent crimes would attract visitors, but I guessed it was having the opposite effect on everyone, including the city.
She wiped the sweat from her brow with a handkerchief from her front pocket. “I wish. Seems nobody wants to work for free these days, especially the kids. No. They’d rather hang out at The Perk Spot all day, drinking frou-frou coffees, listening to their music and playing on the Internet.” She fanned her face with her hand. “Can I pick Patches up later?” She checked her phone again.
“No problem. We have Patches down for a full groom with the Lil’ Stinker package. We’ll get her smelling better in no time. It’ll be about an hour and a half. If you can’t get back then, let us know. We’ll put her in a holding kennel.”
Or she could lounge with me here on the floor. The sun feels amazing.
I glanced over at Cuff basking in the sun and smiled. “I have an idea for student volunteers. You could get them to work three-hour shifts, then offer them free Wi-Fi time, charging stations for laptops and phones, and set up a small coffee corner. Make it a place only for the teens, a hangout spot, so to speak.”
“Wow, what a great idea, thanks!” Ms. Jinks said, stepping over Cuff. “I’ll be back later.” In a flash, she scurried out the door and down the street toward the library.
I admired her energy and passion.
I headed to the back where Daniel and Gertie had Patches in the wash station and peeked in the doorway. Like snowflakes, bubbles drifted about the room, popping as they hit the floor.
“Hey, do y’all mind if I run out for a bit?” I asked.
“Yeah, we got this,” Daniel said. “Right, Gigi?”
Gertie flashed me a soapy thumbs up.
“When will you be back?” Daniel asked, his arms coated in suds.
“I guess about an hour. I will check and see if Nick is at the house. If not, I’ll make a quick run out there and grab a few more of my things.” I wasn’t sure how long I’d be out of the house, and I needed more clothes. I’d been hasty packing when I left the other night.
“Okie dokie. See ya,” Daniel said.
I tried leaving Cuff, but as I headed for the back door, he came to a skidding halt, nearly crashing into the wall. Please! He rolled over, exposing his pink belly. Take me with you. I beg you! I miss the big guy! Pllleeeaaase!
I didn’t have the heart to argue. I mean, how could I? The dogs didn’t deserve to be separated. It wasn’t their fault.
I dialed Nick’s number on my cell phone, but it went straight to voicemail. I guessed I’d take the chance and drive out to the house. If he was there, I’d turn around.
I’m missing the big dude. Cuff’s thought popped into my head, as he panted in the passenger seat.
“I know, Cuff. I’m trying. But my hands are tied,” I said, as I passed the police department on my left. Out of habit, I looked. What the—
Nick, who wasn’t supposed to be at the station due to time off, had the blonde bimbo pinned against his truck. He was inspecting the back of her throat. With his tongue. Yanking the steering wheel to the left, I downshifted the Bug into second gear, my tires squealing as I tore into the parking lot. The two of them caught sight of me and scurried into the back door of the station.
Shaking with enough force to erupt Mauna Loa in Hawaii, I killed the engine, gulping shallow breaths. When I got my hands around her straggly lit
tle neck, I’d squeeze the life—
What do you think you’re doing? Cuff put his two front paws up on the dashboard, bug-eying the station.
“He was making out with her! The nerve of him!” I pounded the steering wheel with both fists, picturing both their smug faces. “Let’s go. I’m not leaving you in the car; it’s too hot.”
Cuff scuttled after me as I stormed around the front of the building, my heart jack-hammering inside my ribcage.
“Oh hi, Ms. Steely. What can I do for you today?” Lenora, the front receptionist stood and greeted me, stealing a quick glance behind her. Beanpole thin and guilt-ridden, steel-gray eyes, she turned back to me. “If you’re here to speak to the chief, I’ll go find him. You can wait over there.” Lenora pointed to the row of chairs along the wall of windows.
“I’m here to see Nick, please.” I stood with my hands on my hips, tapping my foot, anger intensifying by the second.
You need to count to ten. Cuff sat next to my feet. Chiquita? Did you hear me?
I ignored him.
“One moment, sweetheart.” Lenora checked her roster. “I’ll go check, but he’s not on the schedule this week.” She shuffled off, pushing through the swinging doors. The doors rocked back and forth before they came to a squeaky halt.
Oh, he’s here all right. With his paws wrapped around that slut’s body.
A minute later, Nick waltzed through the doors, straightening the collar of his black golf shirt.
Rage boiled in my veins, my pulse ticking up several notches. I could literally strangle him.
“Hey,” he said, running a hand through his hair, as if I hadn’t witnessed him mugging down with that woman.
“Oh, cut the crap. You know I saw you!” The nerves in my shoulders seized, and I felt my patience unraveling. Thank God there was a counter between us because I wanted to reach over and wipe off the smeared ruby lipstick from the side of his mouth. With my fist.
Attacking a police officer is not a wise idea, Chiquita. Cuff thought, trying to keep my sanity intact.
Nick glanced around the room at all the prying sets of eyes.
“Settle down, Steely. Quit making a big deal out of nothing,” he said. Ice laced his voice.
Instead of giving us privacy, Lenora took her rightful place back at the front counter.
The few citizens who sat in the lobby seemed mesmerized at the action unfolding in front of them. All I could do was envision the two of them kissing. My mind replayed it over and over, causing my heart to explode.
“Oh, I see. So, our splitting up means nothing to you? And how can you sit there and act so indifferent? I may have a killer stalking me and you toss me out?” I slammed both hands down on the counter, causing poor Lenora to jump. I bet if I leaped high enough I could scale this counter in a single bound.
Who do you think you are? Superwoman?
I think Cuff was referring to Superman, but I didn’t have time to argue comic book characters with my dog.
“Look, obviously you’re upset,” Nick said. “But this is not the time or place to have this discussion. So, if you’ll excuse me.” He pivoted on his black snakeskin boots and turned away.
“Nick Campbell, don’t you walk away from me!” I leaned over the counter, unleashing my best Texas twang. “You get ur butt back here!”
“Check you later.” Nick flipped up a hand, and he disappeared through the doors.
“Nick!” I said louder than intended.
For your own good, let this go, Chiquita.
“Arrugh!” I spun around with Cuff hot on my heels.
Wait for me!
I pushed through the front doors and stomped around the building to the back lot, only to find Nick and the blonde talking outside. He seemed to console her. The son of a gun knew I’d parked back here! Was he that stupid?
“You have some nerve, Nick Campbell!” I yelled.
“Oh, please! Why don’t you move on already?” the little twit said.
I lost it and took off at full speed.
Chiquitaaaaaaaa!
Careful not to break an ankle in the spiked boots, I charged forward, waving my arms like a wild banshee, my blood boiling inside my veins, my vision flashing a blinding white. “You’re a home-wrecker!” I screamed in her face. I turned to Nick. “And your two-timing butt can go to hell!”
Nick’s rough hands were on me, quick and firm.
“Don’t touch me!” I yelled, yanking out of his grip. I reared back and slapped his cheek with all my might.
Nick winced. Three scratches appeared instantly where my nails had swiped him, his face flushed. “Are you insane?” He grabbed both of my wrists and flipped me around, my back to his chest and he held me in his vise-like grip.
The bimbo started crying.
“What’re you crying for, you big baby! I’m the one who’s being dumped here, not you!” I saw red. Bright, screaming red. I struggled. Flailed. Thrashed. “Let me go right this instant!”
“Hold still.” Nick squeezed even tighter. “Dammit, woman!”
“I hate you!” I yelled. “And you don’t get to tell me what to do!”
Don’t kill me, Chiquita, but you’re using the stupid squeaky voice, again. it’s really not very flattering.
“Shut up!” I screamed. Frustration boiled inside of me.
Nick released me with a befuddled expression, his blue eyes still raging. “No. I will not shut up. Now, calm down!”
Brandon bolted through the back door. “What the hell’s going on out here?” He inspected Nick’s cheek. “Damn, did she hit you?”
“She’s completely lost her fucking mind. You deal with her. I’m done,” Nick said, dragging the girl with him. They disappeared in the back door of the building.
Brandon nodded at me, reaching for my hand. “Come here. Let’s talk.” He gently pulled me over toward the Bug and he leaned against it. “Steely, hear me out. You can’t go around assaulting people.”
I tried to focus on Brandon’s face, squeezing back the tears, blurring my vision. “Brandon, he’s acting plain awful.”
“I understand. Listen, I know this sucks, but you’re gonna have to let things play out,” Brandon said, brushing a stray hair out of my eye. He could be kind when he tried.
“How can he just throw everything we had away? Not to mention how inappropriate his behavior is with that woman. She works under his supervision! Doesn’t that break some kind of rule?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Probably,” he said. “But violence isn’t the answer. If Nick ends things, you’re gonna have to deal with it. Let it go and be civil. And you can’t go around hitting people, especially cops, Steely. Not to mention Stacia’s aunt is going to have a hissy fit when she hears about this. C’mon, let’s go get you some water.”
I guessed Stacia must be the little twit’s name, but I couldn't care less who her aunt was or what she thought.
Brandon led us into the back door of the station, and Cuff and I followed him down the hallway. He motioned for me to sit on a bench. Cuff hopped up in my lap.
You okay, Chiquita?
“I’m fine.” I patted his head.
I tried to stop you. But you would not listen.
“I know. I’m sorry,” I told him.
A moment later, Brandon returned with a bottle of cold water from the station’s kitchen and handed it to me.
“I had Officer Jackson call your father for you. He’ll be here in a few minutes,” he said.
“You did what?” Crap. The last thing I needed was for Pop to show up and learn what I’d done to Nick. At the far end of the hallway, Nick popped his head out of his office and peered at me. Three bloody scratches trailed down his right cheek.
Ouch. I’d done a number on his face.
Chapter 19
Pop arrived with Gertie ten minutes later. Shame had set in, and my behavior mortified me.
Gertie shuffled up to me. “Heard you gave that no good Nick a piece of your mind, baby girl. Good for�
��”
“Mother, for once would you be quiet!” Pop growled.
Uh oh. Someone’s mad. Cuff squirmed in my arms.
Gertie gasped, pinching her lips, her hands falling limp at her sides. For the first time in my life, the tiny, rambunctious woman who’d dominated all our lives didn’t have a comeback.
Chief Becker and Officer Jackson rounded the corner and approached us. Great, just what I needed, an audience. Pop looked positively pissed, which he had every right to be.
“Thanks for coming to my rescue, Pop,” I said. I stood and rushed toward him, my arms outstretched.
Pop held up his hands, stopping me mid-stride.
Uh, oh. I thought.
“I did not come to rescue you, Steely Sue.” Pop peered at me over his glasses.
The usage of my middle name meant trouble.
Pop turned and addressed the chief and Officer Jackson. “Thank you for calling me. I appreciate it. Chief, I know I don’t need to tell you how to do your job, but that son-of-a-bitch Campbell should be reprimanded and punished for his indiscretions. If you don’t, I will.”
“I’ll take care of it, Randall,” the chief said. “But if you don’t mind me saying, do my department a favor and keep your daughter out of trouble.” Chief Becker pointed a finger at Gertie. “And now that she’s out, both of them, if you will. We don’t need anyone deliberately starting fires or any underground gambling in this town. We have enough on our hands.”
“Ugh!” Gertie said and put her hands on her hips. “Catching my hair on fire was an accident, thank you very much.”
“I was referring to the bathroom fire you set at Bluebonnet Hills,” the chief said.
“Oh,” Gertie replied and peered down at the floor.
“Let’s go, you two,” Pop said, directing us out the back door.
Gertie and I followed him straight outside without so much as a peep.
Pop spun around, his right eye twitched behind his glasses. I wondered if he’d taken his blood pressure lately, but I knew better than to ask. I set Cuff down on the gravel parking lot and he set off exploring. Pop put his hands on his hips and glared at the two of us.
