Jack sat down in his seat when he had seeen that Jenniffer had conceded and started walking their way. He caught that she seemed to visibly relax when she only saw him and Dom sitting at the table.
“Hey! Is everything ok?” Jack asked, worry in his voice.
“Huh? Oh, yeah, everything is good. Why?” Jenniffer responded, looking around the room at everyone there. “Is it just the two of you here?”
“Yeah, we came in to grab a bite to eat after we ran to the pet store and the hardware store to get what we needed to get for the doggie door and the hard for the dogs.”
It wasn’t lost on Jack how she seemed to relax when he spoke about the dogs. The three of them talked for several minutes, after placing Jenn’s order with the waitress, about the dogs, what to expect on their first night in their new homes as well as the first week for both man and K-9 to adjust between work and home life with a new partner that will be with them pretty much twenty-four-seven.
“How much of a pain in the ass is it going to be to put in these doggie doors?” Dom asked after taking a bite of his burger.
Jack had to shift in his seat just a little when the sound of Jenniffer’s laugh rang out. “I’ll admit they can be a huge pain in the ass for first time doers. Do you boys own or rent your homes?”
“We pay a mortgage. Don’t have the time for the rent nonsense around here.” Jack chuckled, shoving his fries into his large glop of ketchup before devouring them.
“I can understand that. Although some people would say it’s easier to deal with the rent when things break and less of a headache to maintain than that of someone who has to pay a mortgage and be responsible for everything. Especially with most houses being part of HOA’s these days.”
“True. I guess we got lucky with our places. Our section of homes is mostly law enforcement of some kind or part of the military. Our HOA heads are either retired from either one or the spouse of someone who still worked in the field.” Jack smiled over at Jenniffer, watching her eat her club with extra bacon and mayo.
“Ah, you got in over there in the Green Hills area.”
“Yeah. We got lucky when we got our houses. The guy who owned my house retired from the military and moved back to the wife’s home state of Nebraska since her mother was pretty sick.” Jack answered, finishing the last of his burger.
“Yeah, Jack got lucky there. I got my house several years ago when I moved home from the military. My little sister and my nephew moved in with me when she was going through her divorce. Once she got on her feet, she bought one of the houses a couple of blocks away which is where she, her husband and four kids are living.” Dom told Jenniffer with a wistful smile on his face.
“Yeah, and if she has her way, her big brother will be hitched and having his baby momma spitting out kids left and right soon, too.” Jack laughed, sitting back in his seat as Dom flipped him off.
“Nope. She knows I’m a confirmed bachelor. I’ll happily help with babysitting duties with my nieces and nephews.”
“You happily babysit?” Jenniffer asked, seemingly shocked by that revelation.
“Yeah, his nieces and nephews are awesome kids. Hell, I’ve even helped babysit them now and then.” Jack admitted smiling, reflecting on watching the Pratt-MacLeod kids.
Jack quirked an eyebrow at Jenniffer when he heard her chuckle. “What’s so funny?”
“Sorry. I was trying to picture you two with kids, them trying to pull one on you.”
“My oldest nephew is a sweet kid. I think between me, his dad, his mother, her teammates, his teammates, his other uncles and Jack, the kid knows he’s not going to be able to pull shit. Now my younger nephew…” Dom laughed outright, shaking his head. “That one is going to give my sister and brother-in-law a run for his money. My nieces are screwed no matter what when they get to dating age.”
Jack laughed, shaking his head. “Those two are their mother’s form. I feel for any man who winds up with them.”
“I’m afraid to ask.” Jenniffer smiled weakly at the men, confused.
“My sister is hell on wheels. She’s a cop also, part of the Human Trafficking Task Force with the sheriff’s department. She’s trained with explosives and as a sniper. She also doesn’t take shit from anyone. Between me, their dad and their uncles, Jack included as an honorary uncle, both my nieces are major tomboys. They like sports, wrestle, and want to learn how to fight.” Dom said proudly.
“Well, the youngest one, Aurora will. But even at a couple of months, she is fascinated by sports and laughs when his sister and one of the uncle’s wrestle.” Jack amended for Jenniffer.
Jack watched as Jenniffer smiled, the light not reaching her eyes as she did so. He watched as she sat back, her arms crossed her chest as if trying to hold herself together. He watched as she smiled weakly at him when she caught him watching her.
“You good?” Jack asked, watching her reaction to him.
“Yeah. Just been a long day. Hell, a long month.” Jenniffer stated, blowing out a deep breath.
“What’s going on?” Jack asked, worry sounding in his voice.
“What isn’t going on?” Jenniffer responded, her chuckle falling short of sounding truly amusing.
Jack watched as Jenniffer ran a hand through her messed up hair before she sighed deeply. “Talk to me. Maybe I can help.” Jack offered softly.
