by Susan Kohler
“I’ll be over as soon as I can, but I’m pretty tied up in something for a while,” Bob volunteered.
Finally, she took the kids over to her parents’ house. The kids didn’t know what was wrong with Teddy, so they balked at leaving the little dog. Kate bribed them with stories about the lambs, calves, and ponies at her grandmother’s place.
Sam, for one, decided he liked the idea of ponies and seemed willing to go but nothing worked with the twins until she brought out the emotional big guns: kittens. Her grandmother also had a litter of kittens. Finally Suzy and Sarah agreed to go over to Grandma’s.
She got them into her car as quickly as possible, mentally thanking herself that she packed for the trip two days earlier, and drove them to her parents’ house.
The way her day was going it was inevitable. For the first time in weeks, she found herself face to face with her father. He sent the kids inside to watch television in a voice that stopped any protest flat. Then he turned to Kate.
“I hear you have a new boyfriend.” He spoke gruffly, “What’s the matter? Do you think you’re too grown-up to introduce your boyfriends to your parents? Or is there something to hide?”
Kate looked up at her father; not only was he a tall, stern, dignified man, but he was standing a step higher than her on the front porch.
She shaded her eyes against the setting sun and felt the years slipping away as she told him, “Daddy, of course I’ll bring him over and introduce him to you. We just haven’t been seeing each other very long. There hasn’t been any time yet. I want you to like him.” She smiled almost timidly, “I’m sure you will.”
“Is he as great as your mother told me?” His voice was still stern.
“Yes, Daddy.” She hated herself for sounding so meek.
“And he’s not married? Gay? Doesn’t have AIDS? He’s good to you in bed?” He shot the questions at her like bullets.
“No, Daddy. No, Daddy. No Daddy. Ye . . . Daddy! Darn you that’s private.” She flushed a deep pink but she had a wide grin.
Her dad finally relented, a wide smile broke over his face. “Well, it’s about time. I’m reserving judgment until I meet him, but I’m happy for you, kid. I just hope you’re using birth control.”
She flushed as she thought of the first night.
“For heaven’s sake! Be careful, girl. You know you’re fertile as a turtle, Myrtle. I’ll probably be a grandfather again in about eight months. That would be four,” he reminded her.
“Or more,” she regained her composure, and shot him a sideways glance, “twins run in his family, too. Good-bye Dad, give Mom my love.”
She made a quick escape before he could reply.
When she got home she found out that while she was gone, Ida had gotten everything ready to take Teddy to the vet’s office. She had the doggy carrier filled with soft, old pieces of blankets and a shoebox filled with several old washcloths. She waited while Kate wrote a quick note and pinned it on the front door and then helped Kate put the dog into the carrier, and the carrier into the car.
She hugged Kate, “Call me as soon as you know they’re born.”
“I will, thanks Ida.” She returned the hug.
Bob found a note on her door when he got there; it had the clinic’s name and address, and ended with the words: I love you, Kate. Bob took the note with him as he got back into the car and headed for the clinic.
He found the clinic easily, with its big bright sign: Emergency Pet Clinic. He parked his car and went inside. He asked about Kate and was directed into Exam Room 1. When she saw him she reached up for him, pulling him down for a quick kiss.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“The vet’s examining her in the back. She might or might not need . . .” She stopped as the vet, a woman in her mid-thirties, entered.
She told them, “I think we’d better go with a c-section. We did an X-ray and it looks like a tight fit for the puppies. Bostons have such big heads for such little dogs. She has four, by the way, which is a pretty good-sized litter for her.”
“Okay, let’s do it,” Kate answered.
“Can you help rub puppies? I can use the extra hands,” the vet asked.
“Sure,” Kate was glad to do it, “can you use Bob, too?”
“Of course, the more the merrier. One of the techs will get you both some masks and hats, and show you where to go.” She left.
“Kate, I don’t’ like the sight of blood.” Bob wasn’t at all sure about this.
Kate laughed, “Don’t worry, think of this as practice for when you become a father.”
“When I become a father I plan to do it the old-fashioned way, pacing in the waiting room,” he said firmly.
“Not a chance, dear.” She realized what she was implying and blushed, “I mean if your wife would have anything to say about it.”
“That does it then. I’m staying single.” He noticed her quick frown. “Permanently.”
“Don’t decide yet. Wait until you see how you feel after Teddy whelps.” She looked up and saw the tech. “Hey Cindy, this guy is really nervous.”
“We’ve never lost a father yet.” The young girl handed both Kate and Bob paper hats and masks, and helped the couple put them on.
Bob whispered loudly, “Does she really think I’m the father?”
“She’s teasing. Teddy’s a dog. Remember?” She pushed him into the small room.
She kept her eyes on the operation. Bob stayed back at first, then found himself becoming fascinated. The techs brought over the puppies, swinging them up and down to clear their nasal passages. Then they handed one each to Kate and Bob.
Cindy showed them what to do. “Rub hard, make them cry.”
Both Kate and Bob worked on their little charges, while Cindy and the other tech worked on the other two. All four puppies were making little crying sounds. Fairly soon, the vet came into the room.
“Teddy is okay.” She looked over each puppy in turn, checking him or her for birth defects or any other problems. “And so are these guys. By the way, three females and one male. Great markings. They’re all cute as hell.”
“If they’re healthy, they’re perfect.” Kate was pleased. “Good markings are just a bonus.”
“We can keep them in the incubator overnight,” the vet offered, “or you can take them home now.”
“I think I’ll take them. I have a box for the puppies, with lots of blankets,” Kate answered with a big smile. “Well, actually I’m using a shoebox and washcloths, and I have a carrier for Teddy.”
“Are you sure you know the routine for caring for them at home?” the vet questioned.
“I sure do.” Kate was an old hand at taking care of puppies. “This is my third litter.”
“Well then, call me if you need me.” The vet smiled. “I love happy nights like this. It can be very depressing.” A buzzer rang, she picked up the phone, and then turned to Kate. “My good luck just ended. I’ve got to run, car accident.”
“It’s very sobering to bring a pet here at night,” Kate said. “Even if your pet is okay, there are other patients here in very serious condition.”
“But we have a great litter of puppies,” Bob put his arm around her, “and I didn’t faint.”
“Think you could stand to see your own baby being born?” she teased.
“Maybe.” He smiled. “It sure feels great to see and hold a new little being.”
“Or four.” She flashed a sly grin at Bob. “I told you we’d have quadruplets!”
“Please God, no!” He looked at her with amused tenderness, “I do know that you are just pulling my leg.” He picked up Teddy’s carrier.
There was pure mischief in her smile. “Oh, am I?” Kate said quietly as she picked up the shoebox with the four new puppies in it. “Am I indeed?”
They took the litter home, then put Teddy and her brood in her whelping box in the den. Charger found himself banished to the kids’ room without the kids or Teddy in there. He was not a
happy dog. He was so curious about the puppies, making little squeaky noises in the den and he was so lonesome all by himself that he was about to burst. He was scratching at the bedroom door, trying to get out, and making little whimpering sounds. Kate and Bob both felt sorry for the little guy.
With the kids over at their grandmother’s, the lovers had the house all to themselves. They turned their attention to each other, quietly but passionately making love well into the night.
Just before they drifted off to sleep Bob kissed Kate gently and said, “I can’t stand it.”
He got out of bed and went into the kids’ room to get Charger. Kate looked at him, thinking of what a softy her new man was, to feel so sorry for a very lonesome, and very spoiled, little dog.
“Hey, my love. If you’re that soft-hearted the kids are going to walk all over you,” she teased as Charger curled up at their feet.
In the tender moments of just holding each other, they talked about the puppies and the kids. Kate told him about the conversation with her father.
“Daddy really wants to meet you.” She grinned, “I think he’s happy that I’m seeing someone, but he’s going to give you a hard time just for the fun of it.”
“I would if I had a daughter.” Bob kissed her. “Even if she were a grown woman with kids of her own. I’ll just have to find a way to make him like me.”
“Oh, he’ll like you even if he gives you a load of trouble. Where do you think I got my sense of humor?” she teased.
“I may be in danger here,” he returned, kissing her.
“Speaking of which, I gave him the impression that I may be...” she paused, “um, in trouble.”
“You mean because of the stuff going on at work?” he asked, walking right into her trap.
“No, my dear dodo. When a father thinks his daughter’s in trouble that’s not what he thinks of first,” she said, feeling guilty.
“Your father thinks I got you pregnant?” Bob was shocked, then he gasped, “Did I? Are you?”
“How would I know? It was only yesterday that we finally made love. Remember?” She lowered her mouth to his, kissing him passionately. “The possibility exists but I doubt it. I can’t be sure of course because you carelessly forgot to use protection the first time.”
“I forgot?” His inflection seemed to imply differently.
“Well, okay, we forgot. Anyway, if I am you’ll be the first to know,” Kate yawned, “right after me.”
“Did you really tell your dad all this or did he figure it out by himself,” he asked, snuggling in closer and pulling her into his arms.
“He figured it out, more or less,” she mumbled.
They cuddled together for a while, gently stroking and kissing each other. Then they began to talk once again. Kate told him why her mother was going to take the kids to see their great grandmother on her ranch instead of having them home playing with the puppies.
“We set the visit up before Teddy was bred and I decided not to change it. I know I’m being a mean mother, but I think it’s best. My grandmother gets to see her great-grandkids, and they get to play with her kittens, along with lambs and a pony. Also it will give the puppies a little time to grow before the kids handle them. And of course, the first week or so is the time for the highest mortality rate in puppies. If something happens, which it won’t, I’d rather the kids never know.”
“You can’t protect kids from things like that,” he said firmly. “And hiding the puppies from the kids seems, well, mean.”
“I’m not hiding the puppies from the kids, really, but remember just how young my kids are. They’ll have a great surprise when they come home and they can enjoy the puppies just as much in two weeks. Also, I won’t have to nag them constantly to leave the puppies alone, the puppies will be strong and healthy enough to play with.” She continued, “I know they’ll learn about mortality one day but I’d like to postpone it.” She looked up at him, “Besides it gives me a little time alone.”
He moved over her, “No, it doesn’t.”
He lowered his mouth over hers, capturing it in a kiss that took her breath away. One of his hands found the tight tangle of curls at the juncture of her thighs. “You won’t be alone.” His mouth moved slowly down her body until it came to the same spot his fingers had already found.
Bob left early enough Friday morning to change before work. He insisted that Kate take the day off, to spend with the puppies.
“I’ll tell Laura about our quads, but I’ll tell everyone else that you called in sick.” He kissed her good-bye.
“Hey Bob,” she told him, “it might be a good idea to act a little like you don’t believe I’m really sick. I’ve been late recently, now I call in sick on a Friday. Why not let someone overhear you tell Laura that you want to see a doctor’s note if I miss any more work.”
“Good idea. I’ll be over right after work.” He leaned over the bed to give her one last delicious kiss.
She reached up, holding his face, “Stop at your house before you come over. Bring your toothbrush and enough clothes for the whole weekend and for work Monday morning. Once I have you here, you’re not leaving.” Her grin held pure wicked delight.
They spent the weekend together, working, making love and watching over the puppies. Bob spent a lot of time playing with Charger, who was jealous of Teddy and the litter. Once Kate overheard him talking to the male dog.
“That’s what always happens with women, Buddy. They use you and then forget all about you when the babies come.” He stroked Charger’s sleek black head as he spoke, “Until they want more babies.”
“Oh come on!” She came up behind him, sliding her arms around his waist. “That’s not true!”
“Eavesdropping! Just like a woman! Here I am just having a little male bonding with the new daddy and you have to put your two cents in.” He turned into her embrace. “Teddy tried to bite him.”
“Well, give it a few weeks and he’ll have fun playing with the puppies. He’s going to love it, trust me.” She laughed, “And I know men are good for more than making babies.”
“Really?” he asked, innocently. “Good for what?”
“Give me time,” Kate’s brow furrowed as she pretended to concentrate. “I’m sure I’ll think of something.”
Monday, she spent the morning working at home, continuing what she had started Friday. She soon realized why they were having a hard time finding out where the shortage was coming from. There was more than one thief.
There were minor shortages from some of the cashiers at the retail outlets. It was a small amount, but the Loss Prevention team was working on the problem. Kate knew some of the cashiers were going to get a very rude awakening over the next few days. She wasn’t sympathetic but she was sorry to see anyone get into so much trouble. These employees would be fired and arrested over what was really small change.
With the cashiers and their pilfering out of the way, it was easy to narrow some missing money to the girls working on cash receipts. It was a fairly steady amount, about $400.00 a month. It proved to be impossible for her to find out which of the two girls was guilty. When she got to the office that afternoon, she was still stumped.
As soon as she got to work, Bob called her into his office. “Good afternoon, my love.” He kissed her gently. “How are our quads?”
“Nursing their little heads off.” She smiled, “I weigh them on a food scale every day to track their growth.” She began to pace around his office. “I do have something to report, just not all of it. I don’t like it very much, but here goes . . .”
She went on to explain about the shortages, telling Bob that Loss Prevention was taking care of the cashiers. Then she went on to explain her evidence against one of the cash room girls and explained why she had been unable to determine which girl was behind it.
She also told him there was another one, a third thief. This was a white-collar thief, stealing through a paper trail, not cash. The third thief was the one she was brought in
to catch; these others were just extras, confusing the trail.
“I feel really stupid finding out that we had several thieves on our payroll,” Bob complained.
“That’s not really surprising when you have eight retail outlets in this area. Every retailer knows that employee pilfering is a major loss,” Kate reminded him.
“Why didn’t the Loss Prevention people catch this?” Bob wondered.
“The thing is, they did catch it but the timing of their investigation and mine overlapped. I haven’t met any of them, but from what I’ve seen, their department seems to be very well run,” Kate replied. “It might be better to look at it this way, you only have a few dishonest cashiers in eight stores. That’s actually a very good record, really remarkable. Loss Prevention must be responsible for that.”
“Let’s go through with our original plan to label you as a suspect to set up a meeting with John Wilson, the Loss Prevention department head. He’ll go over your evidence and tell us what steps to take next,” Bob suggested.
“Great idea, and then?” Kate was eager to get this part of it over with.
“You’ll get to work at home from then on,” he said gently.
“In other words, as far as everyone in the office is concerned, I’ll be fired.” Kate still wasn’t comfortable with that part, but she grinned ruefully, “Ida will appreciate that, she’s stuck puppy sitting.”
“Actually, we’ll just say that we sent you back to the agency. Remember, we told them you were only a temp.” He noticed her silence and the look on her face, “Kate? About the cash room, whichever girl it is, you aren’t responsible. Not for the trouble she’ll be in. She committed the crime, not you.”
“True, but I like them both. It’s going to be hard to know I played a part in getting one of them arrested. Very hard.” She voiced her last fear. “Another thing. What if the staff blames me? What if I lose the trust and respect of my co-workers for turning one of them in? This could turn into a real hostile working environment because they are both well liked. Who knows how much they’ll like the embezzler, whoever that turns out to be.”
“We’ll make it clear that you were acting under orders and by solving the crimes you saved their jobs. The corporate office is getting really close to closing down this division,” Bob explained.