Lucky Baby (Crescent Cove 11)

I pulled out at a much more sedate pace. Main Street was alive with daytime traffic. It was a Saturday, which meant shopping in the Cove.

I found a spot a half block down from Brewed Awakening. Apartments filled the building’s other floors. I’d considered moving in there at the same time as Caleb, but I was glad I hadn’t. He would be finding a house with Blondie soon, and I liked my little two-family house apartment deal. Even if it was close to chaos right now with half-finished projects.

At some point, I also needed to stop by Caleb’s to pick up Butch. I’d hoped to get a few hours of sleep first, but why shouldn’t today be just as fucked as all the other days lately?

Might as well get my girl first. A few doggie kisses would set me back to rights.

I went around to the side entrance and buzzed Caleb’s place. They’d made some upgrades to the apartments in the last few months, probably due to some teens breaking in during the remodel.

“Hello?” Luna’s sweet voice came out of the speaker.

“It’s Lucky.”

“Oh. I thought you’d be later. Butch and I are having fun. Well, poop. Come on up.”

I shook my head and opened the door when I heard the locks release. There was an elevator at the other entrance, so I had to do the stairs. I was slightly winded and damn ready for that beer by the time I got to their floor.

Luna opened the door and peeked out with my dog in her arms. A tiny pink bow fluttered between her ears.

Butch’s not Luna’s, but you could never be certain.

“What did you do to my dog?”

“Just because you named her Butch doesn’t mean she can’t be pretty.” She nuzzled the dog, and the dog gave her a look of adoration in return.

But as soon as B saw me, she leaped out of Luna’s arms and came running down the hall. My heart flipped as I crouched to scoop up my girl. “Did you miss Daddy?”

Luna leaned on the doorjamb. “Aww, you guys are so sweet.”

“Thanks for watching her.” I tucked Butch up on my shoulder, her favorite perch.

“She was a darling. I don’t mind babysitting anytime.”

“Good to know.” I patted B’s little head as she licked my cheek. “Not sure what I’m going to do with her for your wedding though.”

“Oh, you should check with Bess. We had lunch yesterday, and she just loves Butch.”

“Yeah? That would be great. I’ll give her a ring.”

“I’ll just get her stuff.”

“Actually. I’ll stop back and get her stuff.”

“Oh?” Luna cocked her head. “Got a hot date in the building?”

“More like lukewarm. I’d ask if you wanted a drink too, Lu, but I think that’s off your particular menu.” Brady came up behind me with an old red and white cooler.

“Well, hello there, Officer Brady.”

“Deputy,” Brady said with a wink.

Butch gave a happy bark, and her tail swished under my hair.

“Well, hey there, little one.” Brady grinned at the dog. “Does she drink beer too?”

“She probably would.” When Butch’s rump wiggled at Brady’s voice, I shook my head at her wanton behavior. “The cop too, Butch? Really?”

Brady laughed. “I love a woman with superior taste.”