Page 35 of Carver’s Craving

“Your dog doesn’t lift his leg?” Styx held out my milkshake.

“Thanks. And no, he doesn’t. I don’t know if he did when he was younger, but there’s no way he could do it now. I’m just happy he’s potty trained. And that she is as well.” Even as I said that, Poppin squatted as well. “Can you grab the wagon?”

“Sure.” Styx bounded onto the porch and grabbed the wagon. Within moments, he was back. “Can I lift Walter in?”

“Carefully. You have to support his back legs.”

Styx nodded. He put his milkshake on the railing and then, with exquisite care, lifted Walter into the wagon.

Walter licked his face.

“Oh wow.” Styx pressed his hand to his cheek. “Doggie kisses. Does that mean I got it right?”

“Yep.” I saluted him with my milkshake. Kind of crazy to be drinking them when the temperature was barely above freezing…but here we were.

“I’ll pull Walter.” He used a cutesy voice and Walter’s tail wagged enthusiastically. My furry boy was a pushover. A sucker for attention. I gave him plenty—but he was always happy to receive more.

We headed down the driveway. I appreciated I only had to handle Poppin and my milkshake.

“It’s really pretty here. I’m glad the trees cut that nasty wind.” Styx stopped for a moment. “And yeah…quiet.” He eyed me as he resumed his walk. “Bears?”

“Absolutely. You should see my compost container. It’s got claw marks. Feeding the deer isn’t allowed, but I can’t be responsible for the squirrels trying to eat from the bird feeder.”

“Holy crap.”

“The racoons are nasty creatures, so make sure Poppin stays well away from them. She tries to chase the squirrels, so watch that as well.” Sheesh. You’re giving him instructions as if he’s sticking around or something. Don’t get attached. Don’t make it weird. I cleared my throat. “You want a ride to the West Coast Express in the morning?”

Styx squinted. “That the commuter train?”

I nodded.

He gazed over toward the Ungers’ property, then back at me. “Do you want me to go? Do you need me to go?”

“Not really.” Like, not at all. I don’t want you to leave. Not now. Not when we’ve just found…whatever this is. “You’re free to stay as long as you like. I figure you’ll get bored, though. I mean, I can run you into town every day before work and pick you up when I’m done.”

“Or I could just hang at your place with Poppin and Walter.” He grinned.

“Yeah, that too. Like I said, I think you’ll get bored. It’s an entirely different pace of life out here.”

“I don’t have anywhere else to be. If you’re serious about putting me up, I can take the time to find a job and stuff, right?”

“Sure. Remind me to set you up on my laptop tonight. I can create a different user profile for you. Sorry, but I’d prefer you not go into my stuff—even if the digital is pretty innocuous.”

“What? No porn? Which way do we go?” He stood at the end of the driveway and looked both ways.

“No porn. Opposite than if we were heading to town.”

He stood for a moment, looked both ways again, and turned left.

Good man. You’re getting it. To what end, I had no idea. But him knowing his away around was definitely a good thing.

Poppin and I came up beside him.

Styx sipped his milkshake. “Yeah, the unicorn is very sweet. I love it.”

I laughed. “I’m glad. We’ll have to go back so you can get your licorice.”

“Just no kissing.”