14. Sienna

FOURTEEN

SIENNA

“Someone is clearly in the early stages of a relationship,” Genny greets me as I’m walking through the warehouse steps. I texted her frantically after looking at the time when the water ran cold in my bath. The way she comes in clutch in the best and worst of times. God, she’s freaking amazing. I did promise to stop by Maeve’s place to grab real coffee that isn’t black with cream and sugar, meaning I went to Whisked Away, chatted with Maeve for a few minutes, and noticed JW looking at me like he knew I slept with his brother. We shared a look, and he let out a low chuckle. Clearly, Trey’s ally is his brother JW, whereas mine is Genevieve.

“Sorry, sorry. I promised I’d be here at opening, but then, well, orgasms happened. All. Night. Long.” I pause between each word. Today, she asked for a lavender latte. I went for a maple bourbon iced coffee, and of course, I brought two cheese Danishes.

“Girl, I do not mind at all. Someone should be getting O’s. Obviously, it isn’t me because I’m still looking for a cowboy of my own.” She puts her hand up. She’s still clean, so no paint is flinging at me. Yet. I give her another hour before she’ll be messier than me, not that it means much. I’ll be working on the batch I made a few days ago. It’s time to put them in the kiln and then put the ones Genevieve painted yesterday in the other kiln. And since I’m done making coffee mugs, bowls, and trinket dishes, I’m going to do some painting of my own.

“Well, I gave you options. It’s not my fault you turned your nose up at them.” I sit down at the table, pull my phone out, and see that Tully sent a picture of “Bucket.”

Tully: A certain puppy wanted to say hello. He’s doing great, keeping food and water down, playing fetch. His bloodwork came back normal, which is a relief in itself considering how emaciated and dehydrated he was. Along with the fleas and ticks we found on him. Some people are a disgrace to humanity. Anyways, the owners officially relinquished him. I still have to do a hold by state law, but by this weekend, he should be good to go home with you .

The picture attached is of him sitting pretty, a ball in his mouth, and his coat is shiny, no longer matted and dirty. He does have a long way to go, but he’s far better already.

Me: Oh my gosh, there’s a night and day difference. And really? He’s healthy and he’ll be mine? I guess I better stock up on pet supplies and figure out a new name for him.

“Look at him!” I turn the phone around to show Genny. Her face lights up. I’m sure I have a similar look on my face.

“He’s a cutie. Did you figure out a name yet?”

“No, and I get to take him home this weekend, so I need to work on that as soon as possible.” I relay the message Tallulah told me.

“Okay, so let’s get this started. Jasper? Max?” she asks. I shake my head. “What about the road name he was on? That would be kind of neat.”

“Route 99 would be kind of odd, don’t you think?” Genny laughs at my lame joke.

“You’d be right about that. Okay, back to the drawing board.” We go back and forth, her throwing names out, me doing the same, until I finally land on one that has me surprised.

“What about Champ?” I suggest.

“I can see it, plus you know he’s a champion to win at life with getting you as a dog mom,” Genny says.

“Alright, that’s settled. Now, let’s get back to finding you a man.” I clear my throat. “Ahem, my brother is available.” I polish off my Danish and wait for her to make yet another excuse. Oh, how I love my best friend, and one day, she’s going to let herself go and enjoy her life.

“Amos is a workaholic. I’m a workaholic. I think we’d mix like oil and water. Ryland is handsome, but everyone in this town knows he’s untouchable.” Genny has more tea than I do, and I grew up here my whole life. Though once I’m off work and Trey isn’t around, the only thing I want is to be back on the farm, walking down the dirt road, venturing off into the woods, or sitting down near the pond when the sun is setting.

“The rodeo it is, or I can ask Trey if he has any single friends.” We sit down at the small circular table. Genevieve is already tearing into her Danish like it’s her last meal, and I have feeling she’s doing so in order to have a mouthful to not respond.

“No, that’s just weird. The poor virgin girl can’t get a date, so her best friend asks her man if he knows anyone. Ick. No way, Sienna. Please don’t ever do that.” Genevieve looks at me with pleading eyes.

“I promise I won’t.” She didn’t say anything about my brother, and I have half a mind to put a little bug in his ear about my best friend. I’m not trying to get ahead of myself, but imagine the two of us are best friends and our men are best friends. I’m a genius, and I’m going to make this happen with or without her permission. Genevieve doesn’t know I’ve got my fingers crossed and I’m telling a little white lie. Besides, it’s my brother, not a random stranger.

--

“Shit, the time got away from me again,” I tell Genny after I finish painting the last mug in my set.

“Well, it’s not like we have a clock glued to our forehead, but maybe we should get one for the warehouse.” Today, I’m covered in more paint than my partner in crime. It had been a while since I had the time to sit with her and do more than create pottery. Honestly, I feel refreshed in a creative sort of way.

“Might be a good idea, except now I’ve probably missed my window to visit Champ.” Yep, I officially renamed him. Hopefully, he’ll take to the name and not be relegated to Bucket.

“Call her. She may still be there, or a staff member might. You never know.” Genny pushes away from the table, dropping her brushes in a container to clean them. Tomorrow, she’s off, like really off from work. Genevieve has a doctor’s appointment smack in the middle of the day. She offered to come in and work on the website, to which I told her to shut up and take a day off. We’re partners. I’m not her boss, and she isn’t mine. Still, we communicate for the most part when we have something going on, and since tomorrow is a reglaze kind of day, there’s really no point in her coming for two hours in the morning and a few hours in the afternoon.

“That’s a good idea.” I go through my clean-up routine, similar to what I did yesterday, except today I’m rushing through the process. The faster I finish, the sooner I can hopefully see Champ.

In no time at all, I’m reaching for my phone, unlock it, and go to our text to tap the picture on the screen. It sends me to another prompt on if I want this number, the clinic number, or to email her. Sometimes I wish they’d make these things a lot easier. I press her number and put my phone to my ear. The ringing starts and doesn’t stop. I’m losing hope when she answers, “Hey, Sienna.”

“Hey, Tallulah, I know it’s past closing time, but is there anyone there who would let me in to see Champ?” I haven’t told her I renamed him, but she probably knew I would anyways.

“Damn, I just left for the night. I won’t be back until around midnight since I’m on call. I’m really sorry. I know you’ve been wanting to see him.” Tully sending pictures and updating me should be plenty enough. I’ve only been around him for an hour, and he’s sunk his paws into me.

“No, no, no. Do not apologize. Time got away from me. I’ll try first thing in the morning. And I’ll pay his vet bill, too. I don’t want Dean to catch wind and try to steal my dog.” I wouldn’t put it past him. He’d do it in a caring and fun way, but I’d still kick his ass.

“You don’t have a vet bill, and Dean won’t be stealing Champ. We have enough animals between the two of us.” My ears must be deceiving me.

“Who paid the vet bill? Please don’t tell me Dean did.” I start pacing back and forth. My goal is to pay the invoice on my credit card, earn points, and pay it off at the end of the month. It’s what I do with every bill I have. Amos put me on the fact that you may as well earn while you spend.

“Umm, about that. A certain Johnson brother did, and I’ll give you one hint. His name starts with a T. I also told him I’d keep this between him and me unless you asked. Obviously, you asked. The rest you’ll have to take up with him.” Damn him. Trey is going to get an earful when I get home. I don’t want him to think he has to pay for anything. Especially if he thinks it’s the only way he can win me back.

“I’m going to kick his ass, after I kiss him, that is.” While I’m annoyed, I can’t be mad. I never could when it comes to Trey Johnson.

“You have your work cut out for you. I know the feeling all too well. The office opens at seven and closes at seven. Feel free to stop by. Today just happened to be an earlier day.” I can hear Dean laughing in the background .

“Thanks, Tully, I appreciate all your help.”

“Anytime, it’s what friends and family do for one another.” We hang up, and I guess it’s time to finish cleaning up and head home. I’ve got a man to throttle.