Page 27 of Love Unforgettable
Lexie returns to the table at the same moment I’m asking, and answers for Mavis. “Sasha was pummeled by a horse earlier today. That was the vet giving me an update before he left for the night.”
“I’m so sorry,” I say to Lexie. “Sasha is your dog? Is she going to be okay?”
“She’s one of my dogs, and yes, she’ll be okay. I have seven special needs dogs that I’ve rescued over the years. Sasha has been with me the longest.”
My eyes widen. Seven dogs seem like a lot. She seems to read my thoughts and responds in kind.
“I know, it’s a lot. Think what you will, but I love these dogs and I will keep rescuing any that need a home.” She lifts her chin as though challenging me to disagree before continuing. “I’ve got room for them. They are pack animals by nature, so they need to have the other dogs around. And unless unusual things happen, like today, it’s not that much more money or effort to care for seven dogs versus three or four.”
“So, what happened, how did she get pummeled by a horse. Get in the corral?”
“No, Sasha and I were walking the vineyards and we came across a horse who vaulted the fence, snuck in and was chewing on my vines. It also broke some trellising, part of a row of vines, and my dog. I love all animals, but if I find that horse, well . . . I don’t know what I’ll do, but it won’t be good.”
I feel sick to my stomach suddenly. I’ve got a younger wild thing I brought from Texas that I plan to be training. Memory serves me right, that one has a penchant for wandering.
And fruit.
The server brings our food and the table talk quiets for a minute as we eat and get lost in our own thoughts. I’m hoping beyond hope that it’s not my horse that hurt Lexie’s dog, but I have a sneaking suspicion it is. I’m also hoping that she doesn’t put two and two together and figure it out. Otherwise all theshtupingthat Miss Mavis and I have planned for Lexie is never going to happen.
“Cole, tell us please, how you make the people happy with the horses?Danke.” Mavis requests once I’ve cleared my plate. Lexie looks up sharply, she’s barely touched her food.
“Ohmigod. You have horses?” Lexie confirms.
I nod in response.
“Can any of them jump six feet?
I nod again because apparently, I’ve gone mute.
“Are any of those brown with a black mane?”
I don’t want to nod again, so instead I plead with my eyes for her not to be angry. Though I have no idea how that would happen. I would be upset if I were her.
She wipes her mouth, pushes back her chair, and stands abruptly. “Let’s go,bubbe.”
“I’ve not had my cake,” Mavis says.
“I’m not eating with the dog injurer,” Lexie says. “I don’t care if he is yourfriend.”
“Oy vey. There goes theshtuping.”
“Ohmigod,bubbe! This man hurt Sasha and all you can think about is sleeping with him? He’s half your age!” Lexie clenches her fists at her sides, then turns to me. “And you, you should be ashamed of yourself! Taking advantage of a woman old enough to be your grandmother! I don’t know what kind of game you think you’re playing, but you aren’t getting anything from her. Especially not ashtup!”
“Oy vey iz mir. Not me,bubala. Maybe if I were a youngmaydl,sure, but today, like this,feh. No. No. Cole, he will beshtupingyou!”
The restaurant quiets. Unlike Lexie, Mavis’ voice got louder the longer she spoke. I turn to see the bulk of the main floor of the restaurant looking at us. Lexie turns a bright shade of red. Whether from embarrassment or anger though I’m unclear.
She takes her purse from the back of her chair, then pushes the chair in. “Mister Mason, I’m sure you can find it in your conscience to pay for dinner at this point. Mavis, if I am taking you home, I’m leaving now.” And with that she turns and leaves the restaurant.
I’m not sure whether to follow her and apologize or stay here with Mavis, who doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
Mavis raises her hand and gestures to the server for another round, minus one. I guess that answers my question.
