Whiskey and Country

“Let’s make a pact. If I do, I’ll name you president of the interior design department. Mike wants to retire in about a year. He talked to me about taking over. We’ll see.”

Dahlia wound her arms around me.

“It’s sexy when you’re making plans to stay in Green Mountain. And I would love to join your business. You’re kinda hard to resist when you’re in construction mode. That tool belt… Think you could wear it more often?”

I snickered, pushing her hair behind her ear. The air tensed.

My gaze darted between her lips and her eyes.

“Dahlia, you’re making it hard for a man to walk away. The mountain air is great, but you’re greater. My home is here now. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

And that was the truth. I didn’t miss Chicago. Because I loved the new life I was building for myself here. And as long as Dahlia and Jack were in it, I’d never be able to be anywhere else. No matter how I missed my friends back in Illinois.

Dahlia batted her lashes, her big green eyes on me. “I’m very glad you feel this way. Now that I’ve found you, I’m not ready to let go of you. I kinda like having you around.” She buried her face in my chest and took a big whiff before lifting her gaze back in my direction.

“You do?”

“Yeah. You’re kind of nice. And good-looking. And skilled with your hands. And you smell great too.”

I mirrored her lopsided smile.

My lips claimed hers, and our mouths fused together.

Time stood still as we lost ourselves in each other’s embrace.

“About that tool belt, I’m pretty sure we can put it to good use,” I said.

Dahlia’s eyes became stars.

We kissed until Jack bounced our way, Buddy in tow. “Buddy wants cake now. Cake, cake, cake,” he singsonged.

“Let’s see,” I said, picking up Jack and turning to watch the timer on the oven. “Five more minutes.” I opened my palm to show all five digits. “But it’ll be too hot. Tell Buddy he has to wait twenty minutes, okay?”

I put Jack back on his feet, and he raised one finger.

“Buddy, wait twenty minutes. Nicksaid.” The dog hung his head and huffed.

I squatted before the bloodhound, rubbing him behind the ears, the way he liked it. “Come on, Buddy. Don’t be sad. It’s still your birthday. Just get some air, and I’ll come for you in a few.” He sat, his gaze set on me. “Okay, time to get real, my friend. To have a discussion man to man. Or rather, man to dog. Or whatever. We’re throwing you a surprise party here. If you could spend the next twenty minutes outside, it would help us put up the last touches,” I whispered, as Jack perched himself on my bent knee, one arm around my neck.

He bobbed his head. “Surprise, Buddy. No peeking.”

I pinched my lips together to silence a snicker about to tumble out.

My eyes drifted to Dahlia, who shrugged. I found it adorable whenever Jack repeated her words.

With his head hanging low, the dog tottered outside when Jack moved to his feet to hold the door open. “Surprise Buddy. And cake. No peeking, okay? Go play.”

About ten minutes later, the rains started, and Jack called Buddy in. Greta said he was half-deaf, but I wasn’t so sure. Every time Jack called his name, he came running. Well, not running, but he came. In his old and slow dog version of a jog.

“Buddy, Buddy. Buddy,” the boy yelled through the ajar door. “Birthday cake ready. Come eat, Buddy. Peek now. Buddy. Buddddddy. Nicksayitsokay.”

The downpour intensified, and I grabbed a rain jacket. “I’ll get him. I’m sure he can’t hear us through the rain. Must be hiding somewhere. Old fellows like him do not like getting wet and stinky.” Jack giggled. “Buddy doesn’t deserve to catch a cold on his birthday, does he?”

The boy shook his head. I ruffled his hair before making it to the front porch.

Outside, I circled the house, looking for the birthday boy. No traces of him anywhere. I searched under the back deck. No sign of him there.

Rain streamed down my face.

The property was big, but most of the grown trees outlined the perimeter so I could see far ahead. Anyway, Buddy never ventured away from the house. No doubt he hated to walk back if he went further, his body getting exhausted quickly.

After I looked behind the garage and the firewood shed, I went to his house next door. Greta and Brett were still away. No trace of Buddy there either.

“Where are you, old pal?” I asked, mostly to myself. “C’mon, Bud, time for your party. Stop hiding.”

I did another round of the perimeter. Still nothing.

Jack’s voice resonated through the rain as he kept calling Buddy’s name from the back door. “Buddy. Buddddy. Cake ready.”

My heart drowned in my chest.

Sweat lined up my spine.

A nagging feeling twisted my stomach.

This wasn’t good. This was fucking not good.

It couldn’t be happening. Not tonight. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to another friend.

I could never face Jack again if I came back inside without Buddy.

I contoured the house to the left and locked eyes with Dahlia from the kitchen window. She pursed her lips. I shook my head, and her face fell. Even through the pouring rain, I saw panic settling in her gaze.

“Buddy, where are you? Come back home now. It’s cake time. I’m sorry I asked you to wait.” My voice cracked on the last word. Why would this sick feeling not go away? Why was my stomach tied so tight it hurt?

I turned around just in time to witness Jack running in the rain to meet me, Dahlia after him.

“Guys, go back inside. You’ll get soaked.”

“Buddy, your cake ready,” Jack yelled. I caught him and picked him up, using my body to shield him. Dahlia neared us and lifted him into her arms. “Mama, want Buddy,” he said, a tremolo in his voice. “Buddy my friend. Where’s Buddy? Buddddy.”

“I don’t know, baby,” she said, pulling him close, unable to protect him from the rain. “We’ll find him.” I removed my jacket and placed it over their heads. Better. With the sleeve of my T-shirt, I wiped my drenched face. The rain picked up, each drop feeling like a tiny needle as it prickled my skin.

With one arm around Dahlia’s shoulders, I urged her to go back inside. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep looking.” A clap of thunder startled us, and she didn’t argue, hurrying into the house, her footsteps splashing around as she retreated. I was about to give up too when I heard a muffled yap. “Come on, Buddy, talk to me.” That sound again. My heart hit the ground. I swallowed the giant lump down my throat. Tears burned the back of my eyes. On my knees, I looked under my truck, and there he was, huddled down, his eyelids half-shut, his breathing fastidious.

“Oh God, Buddy. What happened? Come here, big guy, let’s get you inside.” On my front, I stretched my body until I could pull him into my arms. In the entryway, Dahlia waited for me with a pile of towels in her hands. We glanced at each other, no words required to understand how bad the situation was.

Jack put a blanket over Buddy as I laid him on the living room floor next to him, now dressed in his PJs, in the same exact spot they always had their playdates.

“I sing you a song, Buddy. Cattter sings to me when I sick.”

Buddy butted Jack’s tiny hand as if to say, “Okay.”

My eyes brimmed with more tears. Right about now, I would’ve done anything to ease all their pain.

Dahlia’s arms rounded my waist from behind. I cocked my head to watch her, tears flowing down her face at the sight of her son and his dog friend together. Both of them saying goodbye to each other, even if the boy couldn’t truly understand the magnitude of the situation.

Holding on to each other, Dahlia and I stood there, watching them, neither of us able to speak. The emotions soared in my throat, choking me. Dahlia’s shoulders heaved.

Jack finished his song and kissed Buddy on the head. “I love ya, Buddy. You my most bestest best friend.” I dried my tears with the hem of my still drenched shirt.

“You should go home,” I said, spinning on my heels to face Dahlia, my palms rubbing her upper arms. The sight of her broke me. “Don’t cry. It’ll be okay.” I pulled her into my arms, hugged her like my life depended on it, and kissed her forehead. I was a liar. It wouldn’t be okay. None of this was. And I wanted her by my side. But I didn’t tell her that. “I’ll take him to the vet. I don’t want him to suffer. You don’t have to go through this. It’s unfair to you. Buddy is my responsibility. I’m the one who offered to babysit him for a few days.”

“Nick, I’ll stay. We’re doing this together. I’m not going anywhere. When you get back, I’ll be here. I’ll wait for ya.” Dahlia choked on her words. “I know how much he means to you. We’ll wait for you.”

I bowed my head.