Page 35 of The Beachside Rental

Simon was jostled awake.His eyes opened to find Gus now lying on the bed next to him.Dog breath greeted him.Gus stared directly at him, as though Simon was supposed to read his mind.If he had to guess, he’d say that Gus wanted his breakfast.The dog loved to eat.

Simon was distracted by a gust of wind beating against the house.He should have gotten up early to prepare for the storm.He should have asked Jenna what that entailed.

Gus whined, reminding him he needed to be taken care of.Usually, Gus wasn’t quite so demanding.Simon couldn’t help but wonder if the incoming storm had Gus worked up.

With a sigh, Simon got out of bed.“Just let me grab a quick shower, and then we’ll get you fed.”

Gus continued to stare at him.The disapproval was obvious as Simon rushed through the shower.

A half hour and one mugful of coffee later, Simon headed next door.As he approached Jenna’s door, he noticed that almost everything was gone from her side of the porch.She’d been up early.He felt bad that he hadn’t been around to help her.

He knocked on her door.He hoped she was home.A few seconds later, Jenna opened the door.

She smiled.“Good morning.”

“Morning.It looks like you got an early start.”

She nodded.“I had to.I have work today.”

“Oh.That’s right.”Before he could say more, Gus came running out of his place.When he saw Jenna, he headed directly for her.It looked like they’d already made friends.

She petted Gus’s head, and then he entered her living room just like he owned the place.

“I’m sorry about him,” Simon said.“Gus, come here.”

The dog acted as though he hadn’t heard a word that Simon had said.The dog definitely had a case of selective hearing.

“It’s okay.”Jenna lingered in the doorway.“He’s adorable, just like his owner.”

“Hey.Wait.Did you just compare me to a dog?”

She let out a little laugh.“Not just any dog.We’re talking about Gus.”

“Still, he’s a dog.”

As though Gus understood they were talking about him, the dog moved to sit next to Jenna.The little traitor.

She once more petted the dog’s head.“He’s adorable, sweet, and loyal.”

Simon frowned.“So now I’m adorable, sweet, and loyal.”

She pursed her lips as amusement danced in her eyes.She was having way too much fun.“Now that you mention it—”

“Do not finish the statement.”He was certain he didn’t want to hear what she was going to say.

“Lighten up.”

“Easy for you to say.You’re off to work, and I’m left here trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do to prepare for the incoming storm.”

“Don’t stress.It’s not going to be a hurricane.If it was, we’d probably be evacuating.We don’t mess with those things.”

That was good to hear.“So, what do I need to do?”

“Uh, move everything off the porch and deck that will blow around.”

“And put it where?”

“In your house.”She backed up and gestured to how she’d neatly fit her porch furniture in the living room.“It’s not ideal, but it’ll do.I didn’t have time to do anything with the back deck.I’m not moving the grill.It’s plenty heavy.It’s not going anywhere, but the rest of it I’ll deal with when I get home.”