A Walk Along the Beach(8)

Once home I was curious to see if National Geographic had sent word about two possible assignments, one in Bolivia and another in the Philippines. I went to my computer to check my email. Quickly scanning my inbox, I saw there was nothing of interest. I would be a good choice for the Bolivia assignment because I spoke fluent Spanish. When my mother returned to work as an attorney, she’d hired a housekeeper from Mexico, and I’d picked up the language at an early age. Later, I’d majored in Spanish in college, although my real interest was baseball. It’d always been any-and everything having to do with baseball.

    The only assignment I had on the books was from Seattle Magazine, asking me to photograph the murals of Washington State. I’d already gone to several towns in close proximity and had literally thousands of shots. There was a town in eastern Washington called Toppenish I wanted to hit that was known for its murals. Once I made the decision about the dog, I’d make the trip across the Cascade Mountains to the other side of the state.

After reading through my emails, I made myself lunch and was about to look through the photos I’d taken earlier when my phone buzzed. Checking the number, I saw that it was Preston.

“You ready to head out?” I hadn’t expected to hear from him this soon.

“No need.”

“What do you mean?” For some reason an irrational fear came over me and I was afraid Preston was about to tell me the stray had been hit by a car. I’d witnessed a near accident with him the first time I’d seen him, and it’d sent my heart racing.

“Keaton got him.”

“You mean you have him?”

“Yup. He’s at the shelter. Mellie is checking him over as we speak.”

“How’d Keaton catch him?” This had to be good. Keaton was a big guy, and while he was agile, I didn’t think he was able to move as quickly as this dog could.

Preston chuckled. “I told him what you’d said about the dog hiding behind the dumpster, so he went over there, set out his lunch, and turned his back. Sure enough, the dog couldn’t resist. He might not be as smart as we think, because he assumed Keaton was foolish enough to be tricked a second time.”

    I laughed. Leave it to Keaton. The guy was the size of a giant, and smart besides.

“So, the question is,” Preston continued, “do you want him or not?”

It didn’t take me long to decide. “I’ll take him.”

It looked like I was going to get a dog after all.





CHAPTER 4





Willa


Lucas sent a text letting me know he and Chantelle planned to arrive early Friday evening. Once I was home from work, I took a nap so I wouldn’t fall asleep over dinner. Having our brother visit was a treat.

Harper was as excited as I was at the chance to see Lucas. Having Chantelle join him was a bonus. The minute his car pulled in front of our apartment we both flew out the door like the place was in danger of exploding.

Lucas caught Harper in his arms, the impact causing him to take a step in retreat. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he whirled her around and around. Being a bit more subdued, I hugged Chantelle.

“Are you staying the whole weekend?” Harper asked. “You must, you really must! It’s been forever since we last saw you.”

Harper and I were in Seattle every six months for her routine blood work. The doctors had insisted on keeping a close eye on her. Thus far, the test results showed that the cancer hadn’t returned. We held on to the hope future tests would continue to show she was in remission. When we were in Seattle, Lucas loved to treat us. Last January he’d taken us to the 5th Avenue Theatre for the off-Broadway production of Come from Away and then dinner afterward. On Harper’s last birthday, he’d splurged on an amazing lunch at the Space Needle.

    With his arms around both of us, he answered, “Chantelle and I leave tomorrow afternoon.”

“So soon?” Harper pouted, jutting out her lower lip. When Lucas did visit, he never stayed long. I suspected it had a lot to do with the memories of the home we’d all once shared that was forever lost to us.

“I’ll be back later in the summer,” our brother promised, and kissed the side of Harper’s head.

“With Chantelle?” I urged, casting a glance toward the woman I hoped would be my future sister-in-law.

Lucas looked toward his girlfriend as if to gauge her response before he nodded. “With Chantelle.”

Harper hugged them both again. Then I did, too. Everything felt right when Lucas visited. It was as if the responsibility I carried shifted from my shoulders when my big brother was around.

With our arms around them both, we walked back to the apartment. I had homemade snickerdoodles and lemonade waiting, knowing that after the long drive they’d both be thirsty and hungry. Sitting around the kitchen table, we caught up with one another as if it’d been years since we’d last talked. It was like this with the three of us. We chatted nonstop, pausing now and again to laugh. Chantelle joined in the fun and updated us on her summer plans.

“Did you know Willa’s got an admirer?” Harper said, jiggling her eyebrows like this was highly valuable information.

“I don’t,” I insisted, blushing. “She’s making this up.”