Page 65 of Beautiful Dreamer

“That one is not your friend,” Elizabeth said the followingWednesday, giving Hank’s leash a tug. “Uh-uh.” He stood nose to stinger with abrightly colored bumblebee, and it was up to her to save his precious life andnose. She gave him a whistle along with a second tug and he happily trotted on,leaving the potential friend behind. “You really made the right call with thatone, Hank. He would have hurt you in more ways than one.”

The energetic doggo, seeing he was close to his own street, pickedup the pace, which prompted Elizabeth to match his speed and gusto. The lateMay sun beat down on her shoulders, making her happy she’d gone the tank topand sandals route. She adjusted her aviator sunglasses and took a deep inhaleof the familiar fresh coffee aroma that particular street always served up.

The sound of a car to her left pulled her focus. “Delivery,” avoice called. She turned to see a tiny green car, and Devyn ducking her headlow and holding a to-go cup through the passenger side window.

Elizabeth pulled Hank to a stop. “What in the world? You broughtme coffee? Seriously?”

Devyn shrugged and glanced away and then back. “Not a big deal. Iremember you saying that the Hank walks always made you want a cup, and sinceyou walk Hank on Wednesdays…”

“And you know my schedule.” Elizabeth tapped her cheek.“Interesting.”

“I happen to pay attention when you speak. It’s the polite thingto do. I also like it when you do that thing where you just talk a lot.”

Elizabeth winked. “My nervous rambling. Let’s just call it what itis.”

“We can. Regardless, I like it.”

She studied Devyn, who had her hair pulled back today. “So, youthought you’d do something nice for me?”

“I don’t know. I suppose I did.”

This wasn’t the kind of thing Devyn did or was comfortable with.It was a simple gesture, but the effect it had on Elizabeth was anything but.Someone as important and as busy as Devyn had gone out of her way because shewas thinking ofher.She walked to the car and accepted the warm cup. “Thank you.” She gestured toher charge. “This is Hank, by the way. Not as calm as Scout, but just asfriendly.” He whined softly, wondering why in the world they would ever stopwalking when there was so much to explore between here and his home.

“Nice to meet you,” Devyn said, with perfect professionalism.

Elizabeth laughed. “Want to walk with us?”

Devyn smiled at her, and for a moment, that was all they did.Smile and stare, unwrapping each other. Finally, Devyn pulled them out of it,giving her head a wake-up shake. “Can’t. Though I’d really, really like to.Especially if that tank top is sticking around.”

Elizabeth glanced down and grinned. “It’s probably better I keepit on, I’m thinking. Neighborhood sidewalk and all. And why is it you can’tjoin us? Hank would love to lick your hands, face, and shoes. Still not clearon why the last one is important to him, but it is.”

“I’m sorry to miss that very specific initiation, but I have acall with my developer.” She leaned in farther toward the passenger window.“This, however, was a nice way to break up my morning.”

“What? Me?”

“Yeah, you. Stay out of trouble, Liz. Maybe I’ll see you later ifyou’re not busy?”

“I’m hoping so.” Elizabeth raised her coffee cup in the air andwatched as the tiny Chevy Spark headed off down the street, leaving her on ahigh.

A text from Thalia hit her phone. She stared at the message:

Drinkstonight at Twill’s?Justyou and me.

A month ago, a sentence like that from Thalia would have sent herover the moon. She rattled off a reply:

Unfortunately,I’ve got other plans.

She turned to Hank as they headed off down the street. “That wasDevyn. She makes life better.”

* * *

How was it already approaching five? The workday for Elizabeth hadbeen a busy one. After helping with Jill, who had honestly made so manywonderful strides that she really didn’t need much assistance any longer, she’dcome back to On the Spot headquarters, also known as her converted garage, andstarted fielding job requests like a maniac. Business certainly wasn’t hurting,and she knew that part of it had to do with her relationship with thecommunity. Remaining upbeat and hospitable, even in the midst of a difficultjob, certainly went a long way, and she wondered why more people didn’t takeadvantage of how far being nice would get you. She scanned her oversized dayplanner, which she much preferred to a laptop. That afternoon she had Genevieveand Haley, both sophomores at the community college up the highway, out onerrands. Her two part-time employees, Drake and Brent, were delivering mulch ina very large quantity to the fire station, and she was already into schedulingthe next day and the next.

“Excuse me. Is this place open for business?”

Elizabeth glanced up and smiled, already recognizing the voice.She hadn’t had more than a fleeting conversation with Devyn in the past threedays, and damn it, her heart leapt at the welcome sight of her. “Well, hi. Weare open. What can I do for you?” Elizabeth stood from her desk and watched asDevyn approached with a smile. She wore jeans, a short-sleeved navy blueT-shirt, and light gray Converse, dressed more casually than Elizabeth had everseen her. A tingle flowed through her and she leaned into it. Devyn looked morethan good.

“Do you offer kissing services?”

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