Four-Footed Angels

by J. T. Livingston

  Tyler was anything but nervous and scared; instead, he was infuriated with the man who stood beside him. He wanted to bash Clint’s head in, to file his teeth down to nubs, to wrap masking tape around his nose, mouth, hands, and feet, to cut off his ears with scissors, to break every bone in his legs…he wanted to do all the things he had seen Clint do to the bait dogs used to train Little John’s champion fighters. Instead, he just nodded toward the café and said, “Come on…my treat…you’ll be glad we stopped here.” He also wondered if he would see the cute blond again…the one who insisted she would become his wife one day soon.

  13. Amanda and Tyler Meet Again

  Bertie greeted them at the door. The worried look in Tyler’s eyes when he saw her confirmed her ethereal thought that he did not want the man with him to know that Tyler was on friendly terms with anyone in the café. “Come on in fellas…take a load off.” Bertie led the two men to a corner booth. “I’m guessing you two will be wanting the cook’s special?”

  Clint glared at the overly-friendly waitress and snarled. “Then you’d be wrong, lady. How about a menu?”

  Bertie pursed her lips and somehow found the required restraint to remain pleasant when all she really wanted to do was to punch the hell out of this jerk. “We don’t have any menus,” she almost snarled in return. “You can have a burger and fries, peanut butter and jelly sandwich with chips…or, you can have the cook’s special. Just so you know…we don’t sell a lot of burgers or sandwiches.”

  Tyler cleared his throat and smiled over at Bertie. “We’ll take two of the cook’s special, ma’am.”

  Bertie glanced quickly at Tyler but returned her glare to the man across the booth from him. “Smart choice…I’ll be right back with your sweet tea…” Bertie turned to leave but stopped and looked back at the man. “And don’t you go spitting that crap in your mouth anywhere in here. Restroom’s over there,” she indicated to the far right corner of the café.

  Clint started to offer a retort, but changed his mind. He looked around the café and saw that several customers were looking in his direction. “What the hell y’all looking at?” he bellowed in his raspy, loud voice.

  Bertie was almost to the kitchen when she turned and marched back to Tyler’s table. She placed her hands on her ample hips and looked calmly into the cold, dead eyes of Clint Meacham. “There ain’t no cussing’ allowed in this establishment…unless it’s done by me, so I suggest that if you can’t keep a civil tongue in your mouth, then maybe you and your friend should just be on your way.”

  Clint started to stand up. He wanted, more than anything, to spit his wad of tobacco juice into the insolent face of the smart-ass waitress; however, the sudden arrival of a tall, muscular man at their table made him think twice about that desire.

  Doug had been working with Max in the kitchen. They had both been eavesdropping on Bertie’s conversation with Tyler and Clint Meacham. Max had nodded to Doug and said, “I doubt if she needs your help, but why don’t you go on out there anyway?”

  Doug touched Bertie on the shoulder and said, “Max needs you in the kitchen, Bertie.” He looked directly into Clint’s eyes and spoke calmly. “Why don’t you go place these gentlemen’s order and I’ll get their drinks?”

  Bertie grinned at Clint Meacham because she knew what he had been thinking. “Don’t forget what I said about that crap in your mouth…” She sashayed away with her head held high.

  Amanda was doing her best to suppress a grin when she caught Tyler staring at her. She clamped her lips together and nodded at him before turning back around to finish her coffee. “Way to go, Bertie!” she whispered when Bertie breezed past her.

  Clint Meacham started to stand but Doug placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “I’ll be glad to get your drink order, fellas…do you both like sweet tea?”

  Clint flinched but then immediately calmed at Doug’s touch. The anger and tenseness he had felt toward the waitress suddenly evaporated into thin air. He should have felt intimidated at the man’s firm grip on his shoulder, but, instead he felt calmer than he had in years. He looked up at Doug and said, “Tea’s fine…thanks…” He stood up when Doug left the table. “I’ll be right back,” he said to Tyler before heading toward the restroom.

  Amanda watched while Doug’s touch calmed the rough waters once again. It wasn’t the first time she had been witness to the power of controlled calm that emanated from his firm but gentle touch. She locked eyes with Tyler and smiled.

  Tyler waited until Clint was behind closed doors before he stood and made his way to the counter. His returned smile was hesitant. “I have no idea why I’m heading in her direction,” he thought. “No idea, whatsoever…”

  Amanda scooted off the stool and placed her hands on her hips. “Hello again, Tyler Foster…you’re about the last person I expected to see here today.”

  Tyler raised his brows and shook his head. “Likewise…by the way…the people I work for know me as Tyler Jones, so…”

  Amanda nodded. “I know…Max told me a little about what’s going on with you and your Dad…that the two of you are working with the authorities to disband a big dog-fighting ring over in Thomasville.”

  “He told you about that?” Tyler’s look of chagrin expressed his concern. He had told Max a little about what was going on, but he had also stressed that it was extremely important to keep his cover for another couple of weeks.

  “Yep…Max knows more than you might think he knows about what’s going on. You might even say, he’s got inside information.”

  “Really?” Tyler asked, surprised. “He’s a cook…what possible involvement would he have in busting a ring like this?”

  “Well…” Amanda replied, mad at herself for possibly revealing too much information about her angels. “Don’t mind me…I tend to ramble at times when I’m nervous. I doubt Max knows anything important, other than what you’ve already told him, but, me, on the other hand…well…in case you didn’t know, I’m on the Tampa police force and they’ve been keeping files on some of the people associated with this Thomasville ring.” Amanda hoped her lie would appease Tyler’s sudden suspicious mind about Max’s involvement. She knew that she had already said too much.

  “You’re a cop?” Tyler was genuinely surprised. “But you’re so…”

  Amanda cocked her head to one side. “I’m tougher than I look.” She hesitated briefly before expanding her lie a little. “Actually, Max and Bertie are old friends of my father’s and they think I’m here on a two-week vacation. I’d rather they not know the truth about why I’m really here, so if you’ll keep it to yourself, I would appreciate it.”

  Tyler looked back toward the restrooms. “Keep what to myself?”

  “Well,” Amanda began the lie. “I happen to know that you’ve positioned yourself at the Abbott ranch in order to help bust this ring. I’ve been assigned to do what I can to assist you.”

  Tyler’s look of total perplex said it all. “What the hell are you talking about? Who told you I was involved in anything like that?”

  “Well…that’s confidential information, Tyler Foster, on a need-to-know basis only…”

  “Let me guess,” Tyler countered. “You don’t think I have a need to know, right?”

  Amanda stared at Tyler’s broad shoulders, suppressed a gulp, and nodded. “You might want to get back to your table…I think your friend is looking for you.”

  Tyler looked behind him and saw Clint glowering at him. “I can’t get back here tonight, but I’ll be back after work tomorrow. Maybe we can continue this conversation then…”

  Amanda shrugged and sat back down on her stool. “Maybe we can. I’ll be here around seven…so, I guess we’ll see…”

  Clint returned to his table at the same time that Amos Brown pulled into the parking lot; a very special passenger shared the front seat with him. Amos rolled down the windows and patted Sam on the head. “I’ll be right back, big fella. You stay right here, now…”

  Sam waited u
ntil the front door closed behind Amos before he hopped gracefully out of the passenger window and made his way around to the café’s back door. He barked in welcome when he saw Max waiting on the porch for him. He quickly told Max about the sudden change in plans.

  Max sighed and shook his head. “I can’t say that I am thrilled about this, Sam, but…I understand what you mean and what has to be done. Just remember, my friend…it’s important that none of the humans guess the truth about you…”

  Sam licked Max’s extended hand. “I know…and I will be careful. I know what needs to be done until Spartacus returns. The important thing is that I be there for those fights…even for Czar’s.”

  “That’s right, my friend. Czar has been treated badly his entire life. All he knows is violence and killing. He will not be an easy one to convince.”

  “Just leave Czar to me...I’ve got to go now. Your friend, Amos, will be upset when he finds me missing, but I want to make sure I’m a few miles up the road by the time Tyler leaves to return to the ranch.”

  Max nodded and took Sam’s face between his two hands. He stared into the angel-dog’s soulful eyes. “Man’s best friend does not begin to describe you and your kind, my friend. God be with you…”

  Sam looked back at Max once before he dashed into the dense woods behind the café. “He is always with me, Max…always…”

  _____

  Clint looked at his watch. He and Tyler had been at the café for almost an hour. He had to admit that the food was the best he had ever tasted. His stomach was full and his demeanor was a lot calmer than when he first arrived. “We need to get going, Jones. There’s a new delivery of bait dogs coming in this evening. Czar will be delivered tomorrow morning and I want to see for myself what he’s made of…finish up with your meal, but get a move on it. I’ll wait for you outside. You’re paying for this, right?”

  Tyler nodded. “I got it, Boss…gonna hit the John before I leave...I’ll be out in five minutes.”

  Amanda and Amos sat side-by-side at the counter. Their friendly chatter stopped when they saw Clint leaving the café. Amos saw the slight movement of Amanda’s eyes as she glanced quickly at Tyler and blushed. He, nor his twin brother Andrew, had ever married, but he recognized the look he saw reflected in Amanda’s eyes. He glanced back at Tyler and could have sworn that he saw the same look in the young man’s eyes. “Lawdy…lawdy…this could get pretty interesting, yessirree…”

  Amanda quickly averted her look toward Tyler. “What?”

  Amos grinned and said. “If I was a bettin’ man, and I ain’t…then I’d be bettin’ that you’re sweet on that young man…yessirree…I think you both might be smitten’…”

  Amanda feigned an air of nonchalance. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about, Amos Brown.”

  Max came out of the kitchen and moved to the empty stool beside Amanda. “I don’t want either of you to get upset about this, but…there has been a change of plans. Sam is gone…”

  Amanda turned sharply to face Max. “What do you mean? He’s gone back Home? I didn’t get to say good-bye!”

  Max shook his head. “No, Amanda…that’s not what I meant. Sam left right after Amos got here; he’s headed toward the Abbott ranch. As a matter of fact…Tyler and Clint Meacham will spot him on their way back to the ranch. I don’t have to tell you what thoughts will be going through Mr. Meacham’s head when he sees a dog like Sam…”

  Amos shook his head sadly. “Lawdy, lawdy…I hates to hear that, Mr. Max…I surely do…”

  “No…” Amanda groaned hoarsely. “No, Max…you’ve got to stop him…you can’t let him go to that place. He’ll be…”

  “Killed?” Max smiled. “No, Amanda…trust me…Sam knows what he is doing, and…there’s only one person we know of who has total control of this situation.”

  “But what can Sam do?” Amanda cried. “He’s only a dog!”

  Max shook his head. “You underestimate Sam…he may have been only a dog at one time…when he belonged to you, but…He belongs to God now, and Sam is following God’s will and command. We have to trust them both…”

  “Oh, Lawdy!” Amos grinned widely. “You mean, our Sam is an…angel dog? Well, I’ll be…”

  Tyler placed several bills on his table and moved toward the front door. He spotted Amanda talking to the owner of the café and another elderly, black man. He wanted to say good-bye to her, but he could tell the three of them were in deep conversation about something and he didn’t want to interrupt. “I’ll see you tomorrow night, Princess…” he thought. He shook his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Princess? Now, where the hell did that come from?” he muttered.

  14. Heaven - Regina and Stephen

  I wonder how Sam is doing down there?” Stephen sighed wistfully. “He’s only been gone a couple of days, and I know he can take care of himself, but…”

  Regina Turner walked up behind her husband and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You know you don’t have to worry about his safety, right?”

  Stephen smiled and turned around to face his heavenly wife. He loved her as much today as he had during their short time on earth together. He had missed her terribly after she had died and had never become involved with another woman; however, he never thought about those years of celibacy, and they seemed like they were a lifetime ago. There was no physical intimacy between husbands and wives in heaven, but the special bond and closeness remained. His heavenly body became warmer and more sensitive to touch whenever he was close to Regina. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced on earth, and it could not be described in mere words.

  He held her tiny face between his hands and kissed the top of her head. “Yes…I do know that, but…it would be nice if Martin would tell us exactly what is going on down there.”

  “Hmmm…” Regina smiled and placed her hands upon her husband’s shoulders. “Somehow, I don’t believe Martin is obligated to keep us informed of anything. This is where our faith comes in handy, you know? We just have to have faith that whatever plan has been laid will work out…and, Martin did tell us that Sam wouldn’t be gone all that long…no more than a couple of weeks, right?”

  Stephen nodded and kissed the tip of Regina’s nose. “Yep…that’s what he said.” He sighed again and looked around at their beautiful mansion and grounds. “You know…I still can’t believe that this is ours. I never get tired of looking at all this…it’s beyond anything I ever thought I would ever have…”

  “Well…” Regina laughed. “It’s not exactly ours, now is it?”

  Stephen looked perplexed. “What do you mean, it’s not ours? We built it ourselves, we work the garden every day…”

  Regina shook her head. “Remember, Stephen…there are no possessions in Heaven. Yes…it is true that God has gifted us…and everyone else…with a mansion full of blessings…but, we are not to think along the lines that it belongs to us.”

  Stephen shrugged. “Well, I agree there’s no mortgage attached to it, but…okay, okay…I’ve got to study up on this a bit more. It’s obvious I missed a lesson along the way. Anyway…what do you say we take a long walk to take my mind off Sam and Amanda?”

  Regina nodded and smiled. “Today is my day to assist with the children’s Bible studies, but that’s not until much later, so…yes…I would love to take a long walk with you. Where would you like to go today?”

  Stephen thought for a moment before replying. “The Golden Falls…I’ve heard so much about them since I got here, but I haven’t been yet.”

  “Oh, you’re going to love them, Stephen! I won’t even bother to describe them to you because my words would not do justice to them. Oh…I’m so excited that I’ll be with you when you see them for the first time. Come on, let’s go!”

  “Lead the way, beautiful lady!”

  Regina grabbed his hand and they skipped down the seven steps from their veranda to their immaculately-manicured grounds. Regina’s favorite flower was the yellow rose, an
d they bloomed everywhere on the grounds. Ten acres of their assigned property was dedicated to growing luscious fruits and vegetables, but the remaining acreage was home to a beautiful array of flowering plants, bushes, and trees. Rabbits and squirrels played together, chasing each other across the lawn; birds and butterflies shared leaves and branches; cats and dogs who had crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and had no earthly owners of their own, rolled and relaxed on the soft and luscious turf; and, the occasional elephant, giraffe, lion, and bear also made daily appearances to the property.

  Golden cobblestones served as a sidewalk that took them to the edge of their property. A dirt trail took its place once Regina and Stephen got to the end. Other mansions were so spread out that they could not see their neighbors’ homes, but, once they were on the dirt trail, they saw several other couples walking hand in hand. They spoke to everyone they met along the trail.

  They came upon one of their closest neighbors, a couple by the name of Minnie and Donnie, both of whom appeared to be in their fifties. “Where are you young people off to today?” Minnie asked after giving Regina a quick hug.

  Regina returned the older woman’s hug and said, “I’m taking Stephen to see the Golden Falls!”

  “Oh, my!” Minnie laughed. She looked at Stephen and said, “You are in for a treat, young man. Donnie took me to see them shortly after I got here. He spends most of his free time there, don’t you, ‘ole man?”

  Donnie feigned shock and answered, “Who are you calling ‘ole man, woman?” He grinned and pulled his wife in for a tight hug. “But, yes…the Golden Falls are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, Stephen. I wish we could go with you since this is your first time, but…you two should be alone for this trip. Maybe we can all go together some other time.”

  Stephen hugged Donnie and smiled back at him. “I would like that, Donnie. I’ve been excited to see them, but after hearing all of you talk about them, well, now I really want to get there.”