Page 19 of Lawton


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Striding through my house, I felt myself smile. Soon, I'd be on her doorstep with an easy excuse – a little dog called Chucky.

But first, I needed to find him.

I'd been looking for less than five minutes when Amber squealed out, "Lawton!"

I was upstairs, checking under a bed in one of my guest rooms. I called across the distance. "Yeah?"

She hollered up, "I think your grill's on fire!"

Chapter 10

Amber was right. More or less. It wasn't the grill. It was the final steak. I stood barefoot in the rain, looking down at the thing – now, more charcoal than meat. In good news, the fire hadn't spread.

I had the raging downpour to thank for that.

I didn't care. Screw the grill. I was burning time. I switched off the gas, grabbed the metal spatula, and slammed the grill shut again, leaving the steak to smolder itself out. Or not. Whatever.

Striding toward the back door, I heard something that made me stop. It was Chloe. She was calling out from someplace nearby. I stood and listened.

Through the downpour, I heard her voice again. "I'm looking for my dog!"

I turned and looked through the trees. I saw no sign of her.

Wherewasshe? Atmyplace? I glanced toward the patio door. Brittney and Amber were still inside. The dog was still missing. I was barefoot, shirtless and soaking wet.

Yeah. The timing could be better.

I heard Chloe's voice again, louder now. "Hey!!! Chucky! Where are you? Anyone there?"

I tensed. Oh, shit. She was at the front gate. I sprinted through the patio door and dove for the intercom. "Yeah?"

Chloe's voice carried through the speakers. "I'm looking for my dog!" She paused. "Is he here?"

I sure as hell hoped so.

I hit the talk button. "Come on up," I said while flipping the switch to open the gate. I looked around. Should I dry off, maybe change my clothes, or–?

"Who was that?" Brittney asked.

Oh yeah. Brittney.

Damn it.

She and Amber were standing just inside my kitchen, looking more alike than ever in their twin black dresses and matching frowns.

The last thing I needed was a scene. Not with Chloe here.

"It's just the neighbor," I told them, yanking open a kitchen drawer. With my free hand, I pulled out a clean dish-towel and dried myself off the best I could. "She's here for the dog."

"I just bet," Brittney muttered.

I tossed the towel onto the counter. "Wait here. I'll be right back."

Brittney smiled. "Oh, we wouldn’t dream of it. We'djustlove to meet your neighbor." She looked toward Amber. "Wouldn’t we?"

Amber was still frowning. But she nodded anyway.

What the hell could I do? Nothing, unless I wanted to look like a dick in front of Chloe. So, with a muttered curse, I turned away, heading toward the front door. A few seconds later, I was yanking it open.