Page 23 of Coyote
“That sounds like my idea of heaven. You’re lucky to have your daughter. Kids are precious and having one forces you to step up your game in a serious way. I used to think differently, but seeing how Breaker has changed since the kids came along, made me start to think differently. I guess I grew up. Dedicating yourself to something bigger than yourself is a character-building experience.”
“Is that another Storm saying?”
I laughed, “Nope. That is a Coyote special. I occasionally do have an independent thought of my own.”
“Of that I have no doubt. Your business ideas are outstanding. I have a feeling your grand opening is going to have a huge turnout.”
“I hope so. I like to keep busy. It would be a shame if I opened, and just sat there looking stupid all day.”
“That’s not going to happen. Everyone I’ve talked to is eager to try a new place.”
“Griffinsford, only has two or three commercial vehicle repair shops. People are tired of waiting to get their car in to be seen. Out of all the business endeavors I could think of, opening my own shop made the most sense.”
Since we had finished eating by this point, I cleared off the table and made us some coffee. We piled up on my sofa and got comfortable for a long talk. I don’t know if it was the smell of dinner or hearing a female voice that did it, but I heard a familiar tippy-tap of claws. Before I had a chance to say anything, Bethany let out a shriek as a cold nose touched her foot.
“What was that?”
I bent down, picked Ruby up and sat her on the sofa between us. “This is Ruby, she’s just visiting for a few days until I find her a home.”
Bethany watched me run my hand over Ruby’s head and down her back. The little chihuahua had been standoffish with me since I brought her home, but now she was squirming and wagging her tail. She turned to look at me over her shoulder and made a noise that seemed to express happiness or contentment.
“Mi pequeño cariño,” I said as I scrubbed the back of her neck, remembering how Manny said that his abuela mainly spoke to her in Spanish. Despite being Puerto Rican, I was ashamed to admit my Spanish was no better than a third graders.
“Why does she need a home?” Bethany murmured.
“I was doing a job for my friend a few days ago, helping him clear out his grandmother’s house—she passed last week. He’d been looking after her dog, but his youngest is allergic so I said I’d take her and try and find a home. This is the friendliest I’ve seen her, maybe she prefers women?”
Bethany reached her hand over for Ruby to smell. She sniffed at her hand, clearly thinking it was petting time and shoved her head into her palm. Bethany laughed, tickled at being accepted so readily.
“Don’t you want to keep her? It looks to me like she’s found a new home already.”
“About that,” I answered as I stroked the dog’s head. “I don’t know if it’s fair on her, I’m out all day and Ruby’s used to having constant company.”
The chihuahua wiggled with pleasure.
“She’s absolutely adorable, I think you’ve found a friend there. Nessa would love her, she’s always on at me to get a pet dog.”
I perked up at that, “Well, if you’re looking, I know a super sweet, middle-aged chihuahua who’s house broken and looking for a forever home.”
“I’d hate to break up a happy family, I think she’s fallen in love with you,” Bethany said, and I had to admit the little dog seemed at home snuggled in the crook of my arm. Maybe I could take her as a ride along partner and keep a bed in my shop for her.
We spent the rest of the evening curled on the sofa, just me, Bethany, and Ruby and it seemed so homey. It was like we had never been apart, and the conversation just flowed.
Chapter Ten
Coyote
The evening stretched forward as we talked, petted Ruby, and slowly moved closer to each other on the sofa. I’ve not felt so lighthearted and happy since Bethany was last part of my life. Ruby, being more used to living with an old lady who preferred early nights, had lost interest in being fussed over and had taken herself off to bed, so we were snuggled up in the corner of the sofa together, kissing and whispering like teenagers.
Well, there was more kissing than talking going on by this stage. And lots of touching in general.
When things started to get hot, I asked, “Do you want to head upstairs. I have a comfortable bed.”
She smiled at me and teased, “You’re coming up in the world. No more bumpy mattresses for you, right?”
“I don’t know how you put up with me back then,” I joked. “While it’s better now, a few years ago the clubhouse was more like a frat house.”
“It was a bit wild, then again, I couldn’t complain as I was staying in the back room of Grit’s gym. I guess we’ve both moved up in the world.”