Page 87 of Caught in the Crossfire

Thankful the next dog was a Chihuahua, she headed for the reception area. “I’ll bring her back while you catch your breath.”

Trent and Rod turned when she opened the door of the workroom. “Are the boys still alive?” Trent asked.

“Of course they are.”

“The way they howled and carried on, we thought you were torturing the poor things.”

“Yeah, water torture is part of the grooming service. Didn’t you know that?”

Rod chuckled. “They weren’t happy.”

A woman walked into the shop with a black Chihuahua in her arms. “Hello, Nicole. Thanks for working Pixie into the schedule. We’re going out of town to see my husband’s parents tonight, and my mother-in-law doesn’t like dogs. We need Pixie to look her absolute best.”

Nicole loved on Pixie for a moment before she took the trembling dog from her owner’s arms. “We’ll let you know when she’s ready, Dora.”

“You’re the best, Nicole.” After kissing Pixie on the top of her head, the woman left.

Trent stared at the small dog. “Looks like a black rat.”

She rolled her eyes and returned to the workroom where Dawn was bathing a Corgi. “Here’s our girl.”

“Pixie!” Dawn’s eyes lit up at seeing the small dog. “How’s my favorite sweetheart?”

The Chihuahua yipped in excitement, making both women laugh. Since Pixie was terrified of the dryer, Nicole dried her with towels and set her in the crate, much to her displeasure. The little dog joined in the unhappy chorus of dogs barking and whining in the holding room.

When she returned to the reception area for the next pet, Rod pushed away from the computer. “Any chance I can talk to Dawn without the canine chorus putting in their two cents?”

Nicole checked the schedule. “She’s due for a break. I’m sure she’d appreciate a cup of coffee at Perk.”

“Are you sure you can handle the howling horde while she’s with me?”

“I’ll survive for thirty minutes.” She grinned. “If I have to, I’ll draft help from Trent.”

“Hey,” her brother-in-law protested. “I have two jobs already. I can’t answer the phones and provide security if I’m elbows deep in suds.”

“Lucky for you, Ryan is due in a few minutes. If I can’t handle the deluge of dogs alone, you’re elected.”

Trent scowled. “Just because I’m married to your sister doesn’t mean you can order me around.”

“Are you forgetting about the nightgown for Grace?”

Rod held up his hand. “Whoa. I don’t want to know about that. Send Dawn out here so I can get out of your way.”

“Chicken,” Nicole teased.

“Yes, ma’am.”

That made her laugh as she met the next pet owner at the door of the salon. Nicole confirmed the details of what the German Shepherd’s owner wanted, then escorted the beautiful white dog into the workroom. “Dawn, Rod’s ready to talk to you. Take a break.”

“We’re too busy, Nic.”

“He won’t take no for an answer. Go on. He’s taking you to Perk for coffee.”

Dawn finished sweeping up the dog hair from the latest grooming and turned toward Nicole. “Do you want anything? I’ll be happy to bring back something for you.”

“Coffee, please. Get lunch while you’re out. You might not have a chance to eat otherwise.”

“I’ll pick up lunch for both of us. We’ll squeeze in lunch somehow.”

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