Bayou Christmas (Cypress Cove #2) - Suzanne Jenkins Page 0,62
You know he’s on call constantly for whatever Alfonso has for him to do, and he doesn’t feel like he’s compensated appropriately.”
“And considering the amount of work he put in, the foundation, probably the road and parking lot, and that fancy spy system in the trailer, rightly so. I wouldn’t call him lazy.”
“He was lazy about the dog, that’s what I meant.”
“How did the conversation get started?”
“I bought Johanna and the pups over yesterday before I left for the hospital, and he was running wires for the security cameras. He recognized her right away and apologized. I just pointed out that due to his irresponsibility, there were six more pups to deal with.”
Maggie bit her tongue. It didn’t make any difference what her opinion was. Justin was ticked off, and he had to tell Steve so he could move on.
“What was his response?”
“He apologized again and said he hoped his work on the rescue would be enough penance. That just pissed me off.” He held up his hand when Maggie protested. “I didn’t say anything although I was angry enough that I could have slugged him.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. His wife is going to work at the rescue.”
“I know, and it’s why I kept my mouth shut.”
They arrived at the cottage, and Maggie wanted to sit on the porch. She got into a lounge chair and put her feet up, and Justin got an afghan from inside to lay over her. Brulee lay down so she could see the water and the trail, hopeful for four-legged visitors.
In a minute, Maggie fell asleep. At noon, a light rain began to fall, just enough pitter-patter to wake her up. She looked around, Brulee was stretched out snoring, and Justin sat at the little table with his laptop, drinking coffee.
“You’re awake. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you,” she said, stretching. “That was weird. I wasn’t even sleepy. I just said I was so we could leave.”
“It’s stress and excitement.” He stood up, leaning over to kiss her head. “I’m about ready to have some lunch. We have a selection of regional favorites prepared by my father’s cook. There are a bunch of food containers in there.”
“Surprise me,” she said, laughing. “Is this wrong that I’m letting you wait on me?”
“I’m taking care of you,” he said. “Big difference.”
“Shoot. I didn’t get you a gift for Christmas. I just realized that. I had planned on buying a watch that Gus told me about, a tide watch, he called it.”
“I’d love a tide watch,” Justin said. “You can get it later. All the sales start tomorrow. Do you want to come inside or eat out here?”
“I’ll wait out here while my man prepares my food,” she said, leaning back. “I’m so comfortable. I love my cottage.”
“Give me about fifteen minutes. Whatever it is just needs to be zapped in the microwave.”
In less than fifteen, he reappeared with a complete turkey dinner, including her mother’s famous stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, mac and cheese, fried shrimp, grits, greens and ham and, the piece de resistance, corn pudding. He’d only given her a tablespoon of each food, and it was arranged concentrically on a big plate.
She looked at it and laughed out loud. “This is a joke, correct?”
“Not at all. It’s a tasting plate. You can have more of whatever you like.”
“Let’s see yours,” she asked, and he presented a plate piled six inches high with food.
“Justin, that’s disgusting. You’ll never eat all that.”
“Yes, I will. And I plan on getting more of the corn pudding.”
He placed his plate on the little table and went back inside for their beverages and hot rolls.
“This is a feast,” Maggie said. “Don’t look now, but Brulee has her hangdog look.”
“Aw, I bet Dave prepared her own plate of food.”
“It’s not good for her. You’re a vet. You know that.”
“I do, but it’s still not easy.”
They teased and ate, and when she was finished, Maggie was ready to walk back to the rescue. They cleaned up together, Maggie insisting it made her feel better to be moving around, and then they donned slickers and wellingtons and, leaving Brulee on the porch, took off.
“I wonder if you’ll get sick of doing this.”
“I don’t think so. Ever since I saw Johanna under my house with her pups, I knew this was something I wanted to do. I just didn’t blab it all over because I didn’t want to hear any naysayers.”
“It’s smart of you to have it in back like that. You won’t be