by Eve Gaddy
Looking in the rearview mirror, she said, “You’re my dog now, Lucky.”
Lucky woofed, as if to say, “Well, of course I am.”
Chapter Nine
The next evening Travis went over to Tobi’s but this time he brought takeout. He rang the doorbell and Lucky appeared in the window beside the door. Barking like a crazy dog. He started to grin. I wonder how she’s going to explain keeping Lucky. I knew she was falling for that dog.
Tobi came to the door a moment later. He heard her praising Lucky for being such a good watchdog and his grin grew wider.
Opening the door, she said, “Come on in.”
He stepped inside, not bothering to hide his smile. “Did the rancher chicken out?”
She gave him the stink eye. “You know very well he didn’t. I’m keeping him and don’t you dare give me any shit about it.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he assured her, setting the takeout sacks on her dining room table. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “Softy.”
She stepped away and shrugged. “They weren’t going to keep him inside. They were going to make him stay in the barn.”
Travis tilted his head, considering her. “He’s a rancher. I’m sure he’s got a lot of dogs who live in the barn.”
“Exactly. Let’s eat in the kitchen,” she said, picking up one of the sacks. “This smells good. What is it?”
“Hamburgers and French fries from the Diner. And I stopped by Cookies and S’more(s) for dessert.”
“How did you know I’m a sucker for cookies? I love that place. Rachel’s cookies are to die for.”
“You forget I knew you in high school,” he reminded her. “You were always eating cookies.”
“Oh, right. I did love cookies and still do.” She got out plates and condiments while Travis unloaded the bags.
While they ate Tobi continued the conversation about the dog. “He loves being inside with me. I was afraid he’d be unhappy.”
Somehow, Travis kept a straight face. Tobi was the one who would have been unhappy, not Lucky. “I’m sure you two will be very happy together. Have you talked to Harlan yet?”
“Yes, but I didn’t mention anything about a fence because I didn’t know then that I was keeping Lucky. I’m going to call tomorrow and ask if they can squeeze in the fence earlier. We planned to start the other work in a few weeks.”
“That sounds like a good idea. I’ll be out of town tomorrow. I have a charter flight scheduled and won’t get back until late.”
“Oh. Do you do that a lot?”
“What? Fly a charter?” She nodded. “Not as much as we’d like to. But we haven’t had the charter service going for long. We’ve hired a publicist to help with the website and advertising for the charter service so we’re hoping to have more business soon.”
“Do you fly it alone?”
“No, I have a copilot. Actually, I have two I can call. And another pilot on call just in case. But so far we’re not busy enough to need more than one. Maybe this weekend you can come out and see the planes. The jet and my trainer.”
“Go see the…see the planes?”
Shit. Same look on her face as she’d had when he suggested taking her up. Absolute horror. He’d remembered she said she never flew but he hadn’t realized how deep her aversion to planes was.
“I was just talking about seeing them. I wasn’t trying to push you into flying.”
“I appreciate that. I know it must seem odd to you but I—” Her voice trailed off.
Travis covered her hand. “Hey, it’s okay. No big deal. Just forget it. Pretend I never suggested it.”
“I’m sorry, Travis. I have a…call it a phobia about planes.”
“No pressure.” A phobia. It must be a hell of a phobia. But he wasn’t sure that was all there was to it. Right now, though, she needed understanding. He’d worry about what this phobia meant for them later.
“You want a cookie?”
Tobi laughed. “Have a cookie, it will make everything all better?”
“Sure. Cookies are magic, you know.” He picked one up and held it out to her. “Triple chocolate. Try it. You’ll see.”
He was glad to see the shadows leave her eyes. She bit into the cookie, closed her eyes and hummed. “I believe you’re right,” she said. “I should keep some at the clinic. Except the staff would eat them all, so I guess I won’t.” She got up to take the trash.
Travis followed with the dishes, turned on the water and wiped off the dishes and silverware with a soapy sponge.
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I don’t mind. Besides, my mother would skin me alive if I left dirty dishes for someone else to clean up.”
“Can’t have that.” Tobi got out a cup towel and dried the dishes.
Once the food was gone Lucky stretched out beneath the table and went to sleep. Prior to that he’d been wandering around waiting for crumbs to fall.
“Does he snore like that all the time?” Travis asked, motioning to Lucky.
“Not all the time.” She laughed at his expression. “You get used to it.”
Travis plucked the towel out of her hands and tossed it on the counter. “Now that we’ve cleaned up I have an idea of what we can do next.” He twirled her around so her back was against the counter, leaned down and claimed a kiss.
She put her arms around his neck. “And what would that be?”
“Well, it involves you, me, and a nice big bed.”
“I didn’t realize you wanted to sleep.”
He kissed her. “You’re funny.”
Tobi laughed and wrapped her legs around him. “Lead on.”
*
“Hey, girl. How are you?” Siobhan said when she saw Tobi the next evening. “What can I get you?”
“White wine and advice.”
“Bartender advice? You know we mostly listen and nod, right?”
Tobi laughed. “No, different advice. At least, that’s not the first thing.”
“I’m intrigued. Be right back with your wine.”
She returned a little later. “All right.” She set the glass in front of Tobi. “What advice do you need?”
“My partners and I are planning to have an open house for the clinic, to introduce me to the town. They asked me to handle the food. Do you know anyone who caters around here?”
“Sure. Call Rachel Lane.”
“Rachel caters? The one who owns Cookies and S’more(s)? She caters something in addition to cookies or dessert?”
“She sure does. Although she’s pretty busy right now, what with being a newlywed, and raising her kid, and the new restaurant they’re putting in at the winery. But Polly, her assistant, is a real sweetheart. Whatever Rachel can’t do she will. Whatever you need. I’ve got some of their flyers.” She went over to the register, picked up a piece of paper and gave it to her. “Here you go.”
“You are a lifesaver. Thanks. I was really grumpy about them handing that over to me.”
“Oh, because you’re a woman?” She wiped down the bar. “That would burn me for sure.”
“That’s what I thought at first.” She rolled her eyes. “But come to find out, they’re just both clueless about this sort of thing and as the newbie I got saddled with it.”
Siobhan went off to wait on some people and came back a little later. “So, about that second thing. Is it the flyboy?”
Flyboy. How in the hell had she gone and gotten involved with Travis? Because he’s far more than just a flyboy.
Sure. He’s a flyboy who is in love with his job.
But she wouldn’t think about that now. She’d think about other things. Like how he gave her his total attention when she talked to him. There was something very sexy about that. Actually, there was something very sexy, period, about Travis.
“Judging from the satisfied smile on your face, I’m guessing it wasn’t stupid after all.”
Tobi’s smile grew wider. “No. Not a mistake. So far.”
“Not really. I had an engagement that didn’t work out but honestly, that was more because of me than him.”
“Why the fatalism, then?”
“Did I sound fatalistic?” she asked, surprised.
“Not a mistake so far? Yeah, I’d call that fatalistic. Like you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. Or the shit to hit the fan.”
“I was an ER doc for a number of years. It kind of goes with the territory.”
“I suppose it would. Duty calls,” Siobhan said, glancing at a customer at the other end of the bar.
Tobi finished her wine and dug her credit card out of her purse. Then stuffed the flyer in there. She’d call tomorrow, happy now that she had a plan.
When Siobhan came to run her check Tobi said, “I have no idea what your schedule is but the open house will be a week from this coming Wednesday, from four to seven. I’d love for you to stop by.”
“Thanks. I’d love to. I’ll see what I can work out.”
Chapter Ten
The next morning Tobi called Cookies and S’more(s) to ask about their catering services. She’d looked at the website last night and it gave a good bit of general information about the store and the catering services, but she wanted more specific information. Polly Wilson, Rachel’s assistant, answered the phone and after a brief discussion, promised to email Tobi the catering menu.
Tobi remembered Rachel from high school as a sweet, rather shy girl. She wasn’t in the same grade so they hadn’t known each other well but Tobi loved her cookie shop and was happy to give her business to a local.
That afternoon Tobi met with Polly about the menu she’d tentatively chosen.
“Hi, I’m Tobi,” she said, offering a hand.
“Polly,” the other woman said, shaking.
Polly, a tall brunette who appeared to be several years younger than Tobi, led her into the back room. “Can I get you a cookie before we start?”
Tobi laughed. “I guess I was drooling looking at the display case, huh? I’d love a cookie. Anything chocolate.”
After settling down with her cookie, she and Polly went over the menu for light hors d’oeuvres that she’d picked out, making a few changes to follow Polly’s suggestions of their most successful choices. “Wine and a non-alcoholic punch, right?” Polly asked, inputting everything into her tablet.
“Yes, and desserts. I looked at the list and it all sounded so good I need help making a decision.”
“I can tell you our most popular and we can go from there.”
“Perfect. Now what do I need to do to set up?”
“Not a thing,” Polly said. “I’ll come and check out the space and see what tables we’ll need and anything else. We’ll need at least an hour to set up, but one and a half would be better. And then we need to know when you need us out of there. We’ll handle the rest.”
“That sounds wonderful. Does the price you quoted me include setup and cleanup?”
“Yes, that includes everything.”
“Great. The clinic is open from seven a.m. to nine p.m. every day. Just give me a call and if I’m not there I’ll arrange for one of my partners to show you around.”
“That sounds good. Thank you so much for your business. You won’t be disappointed.”
“I’m sure you’re right. Tell Rachel hi for me.”
“I’ll do that. Dr. Robinson?”
“Call me Tobi.”
“Would you like some cookies to take home, Tobi? On us.”
“Are you kidding? I’d love some. But you’ll have to let me pay.”
They argued about it but Tobi wound up going home with a selection of her favorite mouthwatering cookies. Free of charge.
*
Travis’s brother Harlan invited him over for a beer one night. “Where’s Savannah?” Travis asked when he arrived, referring to his sister-in-law.
“Girls’ night out. They’re having margaritas at Jalisco’s.”
“I’d rather have beer. What kind do you have?”
“I’ve got a six-pack from a new microbrewery near here. You’ll like it,” Harlan said, handing him one.
Travis sat on the couch and took a swig. “Tasty. I haven’t seen much of you lately. Except at the airfield.”
“We’ve started on plans for a house. It’s taking up a lot of our free time.”
“Congratulations. You’ve never built one for yourself, have you?”
“No. This is the first.”
“I thought you liked your apartment.” Apartment didn’t adequately describe it. Harlan and Savannah lived in a beautiful penthouse apartment on the top floor of the Wildcat Tower.
“We do but we want a place with a yard and room to spread out.”
It was either rug rats or dogs. “Is Savannah pregnant?”
“Not yet. But that’s the plan.”
“That’s great, Harlan.” Travis had never seen Harlan happier than in the few months since he’d married his high school sweetheart. “You two deserve to be happy.”
“Thanks.” He set down his beer and raised an eyebrow at Travis. “I hear things are hot and heavy between you and a certain beautiful brunette.”
Travis started to ask where he’d heard that, but hell, this was Whiskey River. Everyone in town probably knew he and Tobi, or ‘that new doc’ as he’d heard her called more than once, were seeing each other. “We’ve been seeing each other.”
“Why do you look worried?”
“I’m not. Exactly.”
“Why are you ‘not exactly’ worried?”
He didn’t want to talk about it. Talking about it made it more important than it should be. But hell, if he couldn’t talk to Harlan, who could he talk to?
“Tobi hates flying.”
“And?”
“She doesn’t just hate it, she refuses to fly. On anything.”
“So she doesn’t fly. Why is that a problem?”
“It’s not just a dislike or even a fear. She called it a phobia but I don’t think that’s it.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think something happened to make her that way.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because she didn’t always hate flying. It didn’t occur to me when she first said she didn’t fly. But a few days ago I asked her if she wanted to see the planes, the jet and my trainer. Not fly in them. Just see them. She didn’t quite flip out but she got a look on her face like she was gonna throw up. That’s when she told me she had a phobia.”
“Not to fly but just to look at the planes? That’s a hell of a phobia.”
“Yes, but do you develop phobias for no reason?”
“I don’t know but I wouldn’t think so.”
“You know we were close in high school.”
“From what I remember you, Levi, Zack and Tobi were buds. And in trouble a lot.”
“Yeah.” Travis snorted. “Yeah, regularly in trouble, but then the four of us scattered. Tobi got a scholarship in finance to the University of Houston, I went to the University of Texas on a baseball scholarship, Zack went to SMU, and Levi left to work on oil rigs, which is when he developed the pipe fitting that was his first big invention. We all kept in touch sporadically, but Tobi and I emailed pretty often during our freshman year of college and through part of the next year.
“The summer after our freshman year in college she emailed me and told me all about how she had gone on a trip with her roommate and her roommate’s parents. It was her first time on a plane and from what she said then, she loved it. Said she tried to be cool but she felt really dorky because she gawked at everything.”
“So whatever happened, if something happened, it took place after that,” Harlan said.
“Right. But then the emails suddenly stopped. Just bang, no emails, no phone calls, nothing. It took me a month to find out she wasn’t dead and was still at the University of Houston. I finally heard she’d added a chemistry ma
jor and gone pre-med.”
“Did you ask her about it?”
“Yeah, at Boots & Bangles, which was the first time I’d seen her since high school. She said when she added another major and went pre-med she was overwhelmed and so she dropped out of everything. Said she didn’t think I’d notice because we didn’t correspond all the time.”
“But you did notice.”
“Damn right I did. We emailed each other at least once every week or two, which in my book is pretty regularly. Until boom, out of the blue she quit.”
“It does sound like something traumatic happened. You know the approximate date. Have you researched online?”
“Not much. This just happened the other night and I’ve been flying. The Whiskey River Review doesn’t have its archives online back that far. I could go down there or to the library but I haven’t had time.”
“Did you google plane crashes and the date?”
“No. It wasn’t necessarily a crash.”
“Maybe not, but it was obviously something major. At least to Tobi.”
Lost in thought, Travis didn’t respond.
“Let me ask you something, Travis,” Harlan said, with a hint of a smile. “Why does it matter that she can’t or won’t fly or has a phobia about planes?”
“It doesn’t. It shouldn’t. Unless…”
“Unless you’re in love with her.”
He couldn’t be, could he? People didn’t fall in love that fast. Especially not him. Not after Jessica. Travis had been very careful not to put himself in that position again. “Oh, shit.”
“Welcome to the club, Bro,” Harlan said.
*
Tobi didn’t worry the first time Lucky threw up. Or the second. By the third she was on the Internet looking up causes of dog vomiting. After she read some, she packed up Lucky and went to the vet.
Sweetie Green, the small-animal vet in town, was a tall, pretty redhead about Tobi’s age. Although she hadn’t grown up in Whiskey River she had lived there for several years before and after she became a veterinarian.
Tobi had met Sweetie for the first time when she brought Lucky in to have him checked out and given his shots. Sweetie had diagnosed him with roundworms and malnutrition but fortunately he didn’t have heartworms. Before she left, Tobi had made an appointment for Lucky to be neutered in a couple of weeks.