by ML Nystrom
If his life circumstances were different, he would probably welcome the attention from the pretty shopkeeper and return it with some of his own. As it stood, he had too much to focus on as it was, and adding in a woman in any capacity wouldn’t be right. He stripped off down to his black briefs and climbed into his own bed. The last thing he did before he turned out the light was take the lavender bar of soap sitting on his nightstand and inhale the fragrance deeply.
Six
Hundreds of people crowded Main Street the second night of the fall festival. The street itself was blocked off, and the foot traffic was tremendous. It helped that the weather was warm and clear, although the nights were getting cooler now that fall was setting in. A band stage was set up close to the square and I could see Stud’s group was currently playing. He was a great bassist and singer and had frequently used his Viking, blond, good looks to flirt and gain notoriety, living up to his name. All that was in the past now as everyone knew he was off the market. Eva was one of my biggest sellers with her beautiful quilts, and Stud was her old man. Both were members of the Dragon Runners MC and very good friends of mine as well as business partners. Stud was the lawyer and accountant for the club and helped me keep my books on the side.
I sniffed at the air appreciatively, taking in the tang of cooking barbecue mixed with the sugary scent of fried funnel cakes. I was so ready for some food! I’d been on my feet all day with people coming in and out of my store. Quite a number were just lookie-loos, but lots of people were there to buy. One lady nearly cleaned me out of bath bombs. She bought all the purple, pink, blue, and gold ones for office Christmas gifts and asked when I’d be making more. It was probably a record sales day and I would be checking those totals later when I could remember how my knees bent.
“You look plumb tuckered!” I heard a woman say. Molly, one of my regulars and an MC old lady, came in the door. She and Betsey had been working the MC’s barbecue booth during the day and apparently had shut down for the night. In her hand was a big white Styrofoam box with that heavenly scent wafting from it. My mouth watered. Nothing was better than Betsey’s homemade barbecue. The club had a big community party every year at Halloween and served massive amounts of the succulent meat. I’d gone to the event for years growing up. Now, I went there as a craft vendor.
“We ran out of ‘cue a little while ago, but I saved some for ya,” she trilled. I liked Molly a lot. Her enthusiastic nature was always present and she never seemed to lose her good mood.
“Thank you so much, Molly!” I said gratefully, taking the heavy container. There must be several pounds in it, enough for four or five meals. “I’ve been craving some of this all day. How much do I owe you?”
Molly shook her curly head. “You don’t owe nothin’, girlfriend! As much as you help out the club sisters? You know you’re an honorary member, just without an old man to make it official. Might could help with that, if you ever wanna come up to the Lair on a party night. There’s plenty of single men lookin’ for a good woman.”
The Lair was the club’s compound and headquarters. It was a huge log cabin lodge sitting on private property at the top of a huge hill that overlooked the river and the recently reopened Rivers Edge Bar. The bar was owned by the MC and the original had burned down at Christmas this past year. Rumors had flown around town that it was arson caused by another club but the Dragon Runners were extremely secretive about it. Eva MacAteer and her family’s business, Irish Pub Builders, were hired to bring it back to life and they did a magnificent job. Eva fell in love with Stud and stayed. The rest of her family went somewhere else to continue on their own paths. Eva was one of my artists in that she could design and sew. I couldn’t keep her lounge pants in stock; they sold almost as soon as I put them on display. Her lap quilts also were big sellers and some townswomen had commissioned wedding dresses from her.
“I may come up sometime, but right now I’ve got a new dog and he’s taking up my extra time,” I said, placing the white container on the counter.
“Whatcha got now?”
I spent a few moments telling Molly about Sam and his circumstances. “We’re still in the getting to know each other phase but so far so good. He’s a smart fellow and incredibly strong. He gets along with the other dogs, but I’ve noticed that tall men still scare him into hiding when they come into the store. He doesn’t seem to mind women and children, though, so I believe his fear of men is from his past in the fighting ring. Sallymae’s preteens were in here the other day and he was fine with them petting him. He even rolled over and showed his belly.”
Molly’s phone chirped with a text. She frowned when she read it. “Betsey’s already up the mountain at the Lair. Brick’s done called a church meeting. Somethin ’bout town and the high school. All the boys are heading that way and I need to get up there. Bye for now, girlfriend!”
I thanked her as she bounced out the door.
Darkness had fallen and I was more than ready to close up, but I left the door open just in case there were some last-minute shoppers. Most of the street had cleared and the band had packed up and left as well. I heard the click-click of claws on the wood floor of my store and sure enough, when I looked behind me, Toto had come through the back room followed by her constant shadow, Sam. I greeted both as they sniffed at the air. Toto liked Betsey’s barbecue almost as much as I did and I wasn’t surprised when she zoned in on the white box on top of the counter.
“Uh-uh, no you don’t. You get yours after I get mine,” I stated when she looked at me expectantly. She grunted and flumped down at her usual place. Sam flumped right next to her, pushing her out of the way a bit so he had room on the big doggie bed. She raised her head in annoyance but didn’t nip or protest.
I was tidying up my store, putting the displays right and picking up bits of trash that seemed to always come with crowds of people, when I saw Sam jump up at attention and stare avidly at the open front door. He wasn’t in an aggressive stance and the hair on his back remained smooth, but he was attentive. I turned and saw little Cody Davis, Blue’s youngest child, standing in the doorway, his fingers in his mouth and looking at Sam. He was wearing old jeans that looked too small for him and a grubby T-shirt that was faded and not warm enough for the cool of the night. The fact that my store was still lit up and warm probably drew him here.
“Can I pet your doggie?” he asked, the fingers making his words garbled.
“Sure thing, sweetheart. Just let me throw this bit away and sit with you. He may be nervous meeting new people and it’s best if I stay close. Okay?”
His sandy head bobbed a few times and I went to empty my hands of the paper I’d picked up. I sat next to Sam and tucked my skirt over my knees while I beckoned the boy over to me. Sam stayed still and rigid but didn’t act scared or aggressive. He sniffed at the small outstretched hand and swiped at it with his tongue. Cody giggled around the digits still in his mouth and finally removed them to smear spit over Sam’s head.
“This is Sam and he came from a bad place,” I explained, keeping my voice low and easy. I also kept my hands on Sam’s back as Cody continued to pet the dog’s massive head. “He sometimes growls, but that’s only when he’s scared.”
“Is this a good place?” Cody asked, his pretty blue eyes looking at what was left of Sam’s ears.
“Yes, it is,” I answered. “Here he gets fed, and petted, and loved on, and has friends to play with.”
“Can he play wif me?” Cody piped up, feeling confident enough to plop down next to Sam and me. Toto grunted and moved over a bit more, clearly stating that if she couldn’t have any food yet, she wasn’t going to pay attention to anyone.
“Maybe,” I said vaguely. “Where is your sister?”
As if on cue, Sam let out a guff. Michelle appeared in the doorway. “Cody, you were ‘posed to stay with me!” she scolded. She was in a short summer dress that had also seen better days and she had a brown paper bag in her hand.
“But it’s warm in here,”
Cody stated, not leaving his place by Sam, his hand still rubbing over the dog’s large head. “Smells like flowers and candy.”
Michelle came in, wary of Sam but not really afraid of him. She reached out a hand for him to sniff and he treated her to the same sniff and lick he had Cody.
“I smell Gramma’s barbecue.” She breathed in deeply. Her deep brown eyes matched her father’s perfectly and she looked a lot like him. Acted that way too, no-nonsense and straightforward.
“Molly brought me some and there’s a lot. Are you hungry? I’m sure your grandmother won’t mind if I share with her two favorite grandkids.” I spoke lightly. “Are you supposed to be with your mom or your dad tonight?”
I’d seen Blue earlier in uniform, a cell phone glued to his ear as he was at the festival in official capacity. I suspected the kids were supposed to be with their mother, but I needed them to confirm.
“Mommy’s busy. Told us to wait near the grocery store, but it got cold,” Cody blurted. Michelle was not as forthcoming and stayed quiet. This was unusual, as Betsey had told me once that her granddaughter could wear out an elephant’s ear. Maybe she was simply leery of strangers. I hoped it was nothing else.
“Well I don’t know your mom real well, but I do know your dad. He’s kinda my neighbor. Lives right over there across the street.” Both kids looked up at the dark windows above the store.
“Is he home?” Michelle asked hopefully.
“I don’t think so, sweetheart. I’m pretty sure he’s working tonight,” I answered as I closed and locked the front door. “We need to call either him or your mom and let them know where you are. In the meantime, we can dish up some of your grandma’s good barbecue. There’s plenty for all of us and I’ve got some chocolate chip cookies Mrs. Pilsner brings for the store. We can break into a few of those as well. What do you think?”
Cody was on board immediately. Michelle was a little slower. “Can we call Daddy instead of Mom?”
“I think that would be fine. What’s his number?” I barely got the phone out before she rattled off the information. He picked up in two rings.
“This is Deputy Blue Davis.” His voice was rough and sounded tired.
“Hey, Deputy. This is Psalm from Soap-n-stuff. Um, I thought you should know your kids are here with me. Somehow they got separated from their mother at the festival. They’re fine and are welcome to stay here until someone can get them.” I hoped I was using the right words.
“Shit!” he barked. I could imagine him running a hand over his face in frustration. “I’m over at the high school dealing with something. It’s going to be a while before I can get free and get over there.”
“No problem. They can stay here as long as they like. We’re going to have some food and hang out for a bit. We’ll save a plate for you. Just come to the back door whenever you get here. Okay?” I said reassuringly.
“Yeah. Thanks for this, Psalm. I owe you one. Mind if I speak to Shells for a minute?”
I said goodbye and handed the phone to Blue’s daughter. I let them have a private conversation by moving into the back kitchen area and pulling out plates. Cody and Sam followed me.
“Do I hafta eat the slaw?” he asked, standing next to the dog and leaning on him a bit. “Gramma says it’s a bestable and we should eat more of them.”
I smiled at his pronunciation. “Slaw is mostly made from cabbage, which is a vegetable and yes, your grandma is right about eating them, but I think for tonight I’ll leave that up to you whether you eat it or not. Deal?”
“Deal!” he enthused and tucked into the plate I handed him. I added a handful of chips thinking that could be called a “bestable” as well since they were made from potatoes, right?
The other dogs came in from the courtyard and greeted the children with happy tails moving and lots of barks and licks. Sam stayed next to Cody the entire time, not leaving his side at all. Michelle bonded with Zeke’s gentle nature. Maybe the dogs’ attention helped her settle because as soon as everyone was fed, the questions started.
“Why do you make soap?” she asked, poking around a shelf of colorful bars.
“I like to make lots of things. Soap is fun because there are lots of colors and scents and patterns I can try. When it gets used up, I can make more.”
“Which one is your favorite?”
“I don’t think I have one. I like the floral ones and the spicy musk ones too.”
“How do you color them?”
The questions and answers went on and on. I thought Michelle was a brilliant little girl, smart, curious, polite, all those qualities that I hoped I would have instilled in a child of my own. I doubted I’d ever get the chance, seeing as my age and my lack of male partner would prohibit that. Adam and I had wanted children, but it wasn’t meant to be. I was at peace with it, though. Even if I couldn’t have children, I could always enjoy the company of others. Maybe it was time to expand my business and start doing some kid craft classes. I could make space. Afterschool stuff? The idea had possibilities.
A tap on the back door caught my attention. I smiled, thinking Blue had shown up to collect his kids, but instead it was Jonelle and she was furious.
“Where the fuck have you been?” she snapped when I opened the door. She barged in and slammed her purse down on the counter, knocking over a tray of newly filled lip balm tubes. Her blonde-streaked, black hair was tangled as it bobbed around her neck. She was dressed to the nines in designer skinny jeans and leather boots that matched her leather jacket. “I told you two to stay put at Martin’s grocery and I’d be back. Been lookin’ all over the street for your little asses!”
Michelle did a complete reversal. Gone was the inquisitive little girl from a few minutes ago. She seemed to collapse in on herself; her eyes fell to the floor and her smiles dried up. Cody shut down completely and moved so close to Sam he was practically climbing the dog.
“Martin’s closed. We got cold and came in here to get warm,” the little girl said, leaning on Sam’s other side.
I noticed the big dog’s hackles were now raised and he was standing with his broad shoulders tensed, legs spread in a wide stance, muscles bulging and proud. He was either in attack mode or defense mode. By the way he crowded Cody and Michelle to the side and stood between them and Jonelle, I figured he was in defense. His brown eyes stared intently at the irate woman, as if waiting for a move.
“It was no trouble for the kids to hang here until you arrived, Jonelle. We were about to call you to let you know,” I lied. We did call a parent, just not her.
“It stinks in here!” she declared, sniffing and wrinkling her nose. “Smells like someone shit flowers.”
I wondered what Miss Emily Post would say about this kind of rude behavior and how to handle it.
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” I said, reaching for calm and serenity. Lavender, bergamot, yling-yling, frankincense, I chanted in my head, thinking of the scents that reduced stress and eased the mind. Between Sam’s escalation and the children’s reaction to their mother, someone had to remain in control.
She rolled her eyes and jerked at her bag, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. “There’s no smoking in the store,” I mentioned, still trying to keep calm and even. I was starting to lose that battle.
She lit up anyway and blew a stream of smoke in the air.
“The store owner said there’s no smoking in here,” a deep voice stated. Blue stood in the back doorway, his khaki uniform rumpled and his face long. The bags under his eyes spoke of a long day and an equally long night.
Jonelle huffed her irritation and snuffed out the cigarette on the counter. My lips thinned. It was a workroom counter and had seen a lot of abuse, but I still didn’t like it.
“Well, well, Deputy Dog shows up to save the day. Where the fuck were you earlier when the kids were lost?” she sneered.
“Working a crime scene. Where were you?” he fired right back. “This is your day and your time. Why weren’t they with you
?”
She flipped her hand in the air and sneered. “I cain’t stand over ’em all the time! They’s supposed to stay where I told ’em to stay. I cain’t help they done run off!”
She tapped out another cigarette before remembering she couldn’t smoke in my store. I could tell she was irritated by the constant fidgeting, eyerolls, and huffy breaths she was taking.
“You been drinking tonight?” Blue asked in a low growl.
Jonelle’s spine snapped up straight and her perfectly plucked eyebrows came together. “What the fuck, Deputy Dog? I step away for one fuckin’ minute to get me one fuckin’ beer an’ you think I’m drunk? No, I ain’t been drinkin’ like that! Ain’t been smokin’ nothin’ but cigarettes neither! Ain’t been doin’ nothin’ tonight, asshole! Test me if you want!”
She put her wrists together and held them up in front of her face. “Here ya go! Fuckin’ put on them handcuffs, you think you’re so smart! Arrest my ass in front o’ the kids! I’m sure the judge will look real kindly on that!”
I heard a small whimper and turned to see Cody cowering next to Sam. He was pressed tightly to the dog’s flank and had his face buried in the dog’s shoulder, his small arms wrapped around Sam’s massive neck as far as he could reach. Michelle was on the other side also pressed into the animal, but she had her eyes glued to her ranting mother. This is not good, I thought. These kids do not need to see their parents like this.
Apparently, Sam thought the same thing. He wasn’t moving as Cody clung to him, but he was still standing wide, unmoving, staring at Jonelle with an intensity that was eerie. The hair down the length of his spine was standing straight up. I watched his mouth quiver with the need to snarl and show his deadly teeth.
“I’m not arresting you tonight, Jonelle, but I am going to report this incident at the next hearing. I have a witness to this behavior this time,” Blue stated. I could tell he was angry but he kept it together, probably for his children’s sake. One drama queen was bad enough. Adding a king to the mix would be intolerable, even to me.