porch boards,” Paul said. “Some of the foundation boards underneath had begun to rot from the damp weather and even though it still has a couple of good years left, might as well do it while we can. It’s going to rot out and collapse before we know it anyway.”
“I loved this porch. And the back porch, too. We used to sleep out there when we were kids.”
“All new durable screens on the back porch and several new doors throughout.”
“It’s going to be beautiful.”
“We’ll clean up that stone hearth so it looks fresh and spotless.”
She picked up a slight chill in the air and shivered. Fall had not come early here, which she was told was rare. Usually by mid-October the temperature had dropped and the leaves were almost done turning. But this year the air was still comfortable.
She thanked Paul and headed home to feed Tux and check on Lady and the pups. She put away the food she’d picked up at the store and then went to Landry’s backyard, opening the gate. She cradled Tux in her hands, holding him against her chest. Otis heard the gate and came bounding outside, tail wagging. The three of them went into the kennel. It was little more than a portable metal annex about the size of a railroad car, but it had heating and air conditioning, a couple of windows, lighting and eight roomy kennels. There were cupboards to hold dog food and supplies for training. And at one end, Lady’s little space, walled in to keep her puppies safe.
When Kaylee came in with Otis, Lady sat up and her eyes twinkled. Landry made sure she got out several times a day and that she was fed on a schedule, but other than that, her job was to take care of the puppies. And in that, she seemed to be doing a fantastic job. “Hi,” Kaylee said softly. “How’s my best girl?” She dropped Tux into the barricade. Tux immediately picked his way through the puppies to Lady and for that he was treated to a generous dog-lick. “I thought you were supposed to be natural enemies, but you’re changing all my preconceived notions.”
She hadn’t been in there long when Landry opened the door and stepped inside. “You get any writing done today, miss?” he asked.
“A little,” she said. “I’ll write a little more tonight.”
He crouched down and gave Lady a little rub under the chin. “This girl is looking better all the time. And this cat is getting fat on mutt milk. You have yourself a real zoo here.”
“Did you work today?”
“I slaved,” he said with a smile. “The weather is perfect. Let’s meet on the porch. It’s cocktail time.”
“Okay. Your porch or mine?” she asked.
“Come over here. I bought some wine and if you’re not too busy, we can have hamburgers. I’m celebrating that I’m caught up for the next two shows.”
“That sounds worth celebrating.”
“I’ll get a shower and meet you out front in twenty minutes.”
Kaylee felt a small charge of excitement. She saw him every day so this was not such a big deal, but they hadn’t had a drink together at the end of the day in at least several days. He’d been busy getting his wares together for the next weekend fair and she’d been trying to write, despite being very distracted by the new family she’d taken on. She went home and used her twenty minutes to primp, putting on a clean shirt, a light touch of makeup and some lipstick. She fluffed and brushed her hair and gave herself a squirt of perfume.
When he came out of his front door, she was already sitting on his porch. And he was ready for her, handing her a glass of her favorite chardonnay. He held a bottle of beer.
“It must be going very well in there if you’re tired and in need of a cocktail hour,” she said.
“You can have a look while I cook our hamburgers if you want to. I haven’t packed anything up yet and I will tomorrow.”
“I’d love to see, thanks.”
“Now tell me about your day,” he said. “It has to be much more exciting than mine.”
“Doubtful. I ran a couple of quick errands, then went to Jack’s, where I always go with the intention of doing some writing, and that almost never happens. People are not shy about pulling up a chair.”
“That’s the beauty of the place,” he said.
“I did run by the Templetons’ place, however. Paul Haggerty is doing