by Tonya Kappes
It was going to be Coco’s first outing since the surgery, and we were all looking forward to a little tapas eating. Plus, we couldn’t talk enough about the first Primp My Pet Clothing line that was coming out in a couple of months.
The boys at the top of the street were playing basketball. They pointed and ran after the RV like they had done the first time.
I pulled into Selma’s driveway and tooted the horn.
Woof, woof.
The boys broke out in a fit of laughter. I got out and greeted everyone.
“I guess you came back.” One of the boys held his stomach he was still laughing so hard.
“I reckon I did.” I opened up the RV and let the steps out when I saw Selma and Bessie trotting down the sidewalk.
“We ain’t ever seen a pig with earrings like you did the last time,” another boy said. “We took Bessie for a walk that day, because Ms. Selma let us, and we showed her off to everyone. No one had ever seen anything like it.”
“I’m glad everyone thought she looked beautiful.” I bent down and patted Bessie on the snout. She flipped her head up in the air a couple of times in approval. “Are you ready Bessie?”
“She sure is.” Selma left us alone and we made our way into the RV.
Bessie was a spitfire just like the first time, only this time she was a little smarter and didn’t back herself into the corner. She flew straight through my legs and landed right in the passenger side seat.
The boys hooted and hollered making everyone in the neighborhood wonder what was going on and they gathered around to watch me wrangle Bessie into the tub.
Once she reached the lathering stage, she was like putty in my hands. She loved a good massage, but then again, what woman didn’t?
After she was all prettied up and clean, I made sure that I cleaned her hooves real good in case the boys took her on another walk.
“You’ve got to look pretty for your waiting public.” I knew that everyone was going to love Bessie. I had stopped by the dollar store and picked up a little girl’s tutu a couple days earlier when I saw Bessie was on the client list. I knew it was a perfect fit for Bessie with her earrings.
I slipped the pink tutu around her waist, took a couple of the press-on jewels from the backing and pressed them on her ears.
Groink, groink. Bessie knew she was gorgeous without me having to tell her, but I did anyway.
“You are so cute, Bessie.” I held on to her as I lowered the table and clipped her leash on.
Selma waited by the RV, along with the rest of the neighborhood. When I opened the door, Bessie pranced down the steps like it was her debutante ball party.
Everyone ooh’d and ahh’d over Bessie and her tutu, not to mention her earrings.
“Here is your bill.” I handed it to Selma.
“I don’t have a bill.” She looked at me like I had two heads.
If she thought washing Bessie was free, she was crazy, just like everyone in her neighborhood thought.
“I’m sorry. The free service is for the Adopt-A-Pet Day at the SPCA.” I looked around and all the neighbors were staring as if they were placing bets on whether Selma was going to pay or not.
“I get free grooming for a year.”
“What?” I drew back. I never once mentioned that pigs were free.
“I’m the one who bid on your grooming package at the fundraiser.”
My mouth dropped. “You did?”
“Why yes.” She reached down and rubbed on Bessie. “You were so good to us the first time, I knew I wanted to keep you around. Besides, you can’t take your money with you when you die.” She winked. “Have you ever seen a U-Haul behind a hearse?”
“No, Selma, I surely haven’t.” I laughed. “I’ll see you in two weeks.” I waved and shut the door behind me.
I started my little RV and got on my way. There was not one doubt in my soul that I had made the right decision. New York City was fun, and it was exciting seeing my name on the big corner office door, but it wasn’t nearly as fulfilling as being at home with the ones I loved.
I had made it. Not in the way I had initially planned, but I had made it back to my family and brought back together the Three Musketeers. I had fallen head over heels in love with Jase, and I had my clothing line…even though it was for the four-legged.
About the Author
Tonya has written over 40 novels and 4 novellas, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists including USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband, two very spoiled schnauzers and grew up in the small southern Kentucky town of Nicholasville. Now that her four boys are grown boys, Tonya writes fulltime.
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Also by Tonya Kappes
A Killer Coffee Mystery
Magical Cures Mystery Series
A Ghostly Southern Mystery Series
Spies and Spells Mystery Series
Kenni Lowry Mystery Series
A Laurel London Mystery Series
A Divorced Diva Beading Mystery Series
Olivia Davis Paranormal Mystery Series
Bluegrass Romance Series
Women’s Fiction
Young Adult
Grandberry Falls Series
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2014 by Tonya Kappes. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information address Author Tonya Kappes, P.O. Box 176988, Ft. Mitchell, Ky. 41017