Page 9 of Cash

“Then it’s been a successful day because he beat his own record,” Lars jokes.

“I suppose when you look at it that way, yes it has been,” I say while tapping glasses with a laughing Lars.

“I turn my back for a few minutes, and you somehow found a woman,” says an attractive man as he walks out the front door.

“Terry, meet Livi. Livi, this is Terry, my part-time caregiver and full-time pain in the ass,” Lars says with a wink.

I shake hands with Terry, and then he plants himself in the chair across from Lars and me. Lars pours more tea and slides the glass across the patio table to Terry.

“I can’t leave Lars alone anywhere, not even on his own deck. He swears the women flock to him, but I know he’s got to be using trickery to get them to talk to him. So, tell me Livi, how’s he do it?” Terry questions.

“Nope, not me. I’m not giving up his secrets,” I answer.

“Livi’s trying to run pounds off her dog, and the poor thing collapsed on the lawn. It was nearly tragic. Sad to see, actually,” Lars explains with a mournful look while pointing to Snots.

“Oh! Who’s a pretty puppy? I didn’t even see you lying there, you poor thing!” Terry exclaims as he jumps up and rushes over to kneel next to Snots.

Snots, unsurprisingly, doesn’t budge a muscle.

“Such a cute face! Such a cute puppy! Why’s the mean lady making you exercise? You’re perfect like you are,” Terry continues while kneeling and stroking Snots’ back.

Terry shoots me a glare before going back to talking nonsense to Snots.

“Hey! I’m not being mean. It’s for his own good. It’s vet ordered,” I tell him while happily letting the vet get the blame.

“Do you pluck the wings off flies too?”

“Oh my God! You can tell by looking at him that he’s overweight!” I insist while fighting a laugh at these two men.

“Oh, I see how it is now. Not only do you torture little puppies and flies, but you probably make fun of chunky babies too,” Terry says with a sniff.

“I do not!” I shout indignantly, and then ruin it with a laugh.

“If you want to continue your run, leave Snots with us, and you can get him on your way back,” Lars offers.

“Oh, no, I couldn’t do that. He’d eat you out of house and home.”

“Leave him, Livi, please. I’ll take good care of him. Promise,” Terry says with hopeful eyes and an adorable little boy grin.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose,” I ask.

“Absolutely! Go enjoy your run, and we’ll be here when you get back,” Terry says while lifting Snots and walking inside without waiting for my response.

“Go. We’re not doing anything today anyway, and it’s nice to have a dog in the house again. I haven’t had one since my son’s dog died years ago. Terry will spoil him rotten and can give you two a ride home if Snots still isn’t up to making the trip,” Lars insists.

“Thank you. I won’t be gone too long,” I answer while wondering a little if my dog has just been dognapped.

*~*~*~*

I’m several blocks away when I hear a Harley rumble coming my direction. Love that sound. It’s throaty, deep and I can feel it in my core. As the sound gets closer, I start watching for the bike. I spot it at an intersection a block ahead of me and watch as it turns and comes my way. The rider’s a large man. Very large and I feel a tingle in my stomach region when he’s close enough I can make out his features. It’s my Viking God in leather. As we pass each other, I watch in fascination as his head swings my direction, and we make eye contact. Just before he’s past me, I see a small smirk and a chin lift. My belly gives a whoosh as I stop in my tracks, turn and watch him ride on. Not much is hotter than a big guy, in leather and a brain bucket, riding a Harley. A beautiful Harley at that. After the Viking’s out of sight, I get back to my run.

Chapter 4

Cash

Riding past the jogger, I know exactly who I passed. The woman from the bar with the gay friend. I smile a little when I realize she must live in Dad’s neighborhood.

I turn into Dad’s drive, see him on the front deck and park my bike. Removing my helmet, I hang it from the handlebars, walk my way across the drive and climb the deck stairs.

---