Cassidy

I shooed Sean off to let me cook for tonight’s unplanned cookout. I needed something to occupy my mind. While I was busy doing that, he talked to various people on the phone. I knew he was seeing what could be done quickly using Everly’s existing security features, which, knowing her, I figured would be a lot. He was on the phone for a good while with her and Smoke. I knew he would want proof it was Travis before he made a move, now that he was thinking clearly. He was methodical that way. However, no matter who it was, they wouldn’t be happy once he knew who it was.

I still felt icky at the thought someone had been in the backyard, spraying that word, and they could’ve been doing it while we were having sex. One of the best experiences of my life was slightly tainted by a possible peeping tom. However, thinking about the two sessions of lovemaking and the talking we did before and in between them made me happy enough to push thoughts of whoever it was away. I refused to let anyone or anything ruin one of the best experiences of my life. I’d been waiting nine long years for Sean to declare his love and make me his.

I discovered I had to watch Sean when he wasn’t occupied with whatever he was doing because he’d sneak up on me and proceed to kiss and fondle me in an effort to get me naked. I’d given in once, but the next time he did it, I had to remind him we had guests coming and mouths to feed, including ours. The cute pout he gave me made me laugh. Who would’ve ever thought a grown man could make such a convincing one?

I was checking again to be sure I hadn’t forgotten anything when the doorbell rang. Sean was in Everly’s office, so I went to answer it. It was a few minutes before six, so it had to be Hank and Gus. Checking before I opened the door, I saw them standing there. I opened it with a smile. Gus moved inside to bump his head into my leg. I knew what that meant. I rubbed his head. Hank laughed as he shook his head.

“He’s real subtle, isn’t he? He’s an attention hog. He always wants the pats and scratches, especially from the ladies,” he joked. I leaned over Gus to give Hank a one-armed hug.

“Come on in, and he’s a typical male. What else can you say? I mean, aren’t all guys dogs?” I teased.

“Hey, I resent that resemblance,” Hank said as he laughed.

“Oh wait, that’s giving dogs a bad rep,” I jabbed back. In my short time here, Hank had become a friend, and I knew he didn’t get easily bent. He moved inside, then shut and locked the door.

“Sean, you’d better get out here and get control of your woman!” he hollered with a grin.

“What trouble is she causing now?” Sean asked as he popped around the corner.

“She’s comparing men to dogs. She hurt Gus’s feelings.”

Gus greeted Sean while all three of us laughed. “Unfortunately, I have to say, she has a point, sometimes. God knows I’ve been in the doghouse with her more than a few times.”

“And you deserved it every time,” I reminded him.

“Yes, I have. Hank, I’ve got the beer outside, and Cass cooked up a storm today. I hope you two brought your appetites. She’s a good cook.”

Since everything was ready inside, I went out with them. I was happy that the house no longer had an ugly word on it. Sean went and got paint and covered it. He said we’d have someone do a professional paint job later, but for now, it was gone. He got all three of us a beer out of the fridge in the outdoor kitchen. I loved the backyard. I wanted the same thing back in Virginia.

We sat down at the patio set. Gus plopped down under the table. I had a bowl all set for him with water, and later, I had a special treat for him. He sighed happily, and his eyes drooped.

“How did Gus do at the vet?” I asked.

“Same as usual. They love him and want to keep his furry butt. I take him once a year to get a deep cleaning done. It just happened it was last night. I see you painted over the graffiti. Any idea yet if it was the guy you mentioned?”

“No, but I have things set up. He’ll be in for a helluva surprise if he comes around again. So, do anything fun today or just relax?” Sean asked.

“Not fun. I got a call from someone frantic asking me to change locks today. She didn’t want her boyfriend to use his key to get in. The number of those I do a month is crazy.”

“That’s right. You’ve been a locksmith since you retired from the force. I can imagine you stay busy,” Sean said.

I sat there and let them chat. It was so good to relax with a friend and Sean and talk about anything and everything. I popped in and out of the conversation until Sean started heating the grill. When that occurred, I went inside to reheat some items I wanted to serve hot and get the plates and stuff moved outside. Hank floated between us and helped carry whatever was needed. By the time we sat down to eat, I was starved.

While we ate our steak, chicken, and all the other food, Gus happily ate his, along with a chicken breast and his side of veggies. When it came time for dessert, I gave Gus his treat. I’d made these simple frozen doggie treats from plain yogurt, blueberries, and strawberries. They were all good for dogs, but I thought they would be something different. The way he wolfed them down, they were a hit.

“Damn, he inhaled those. You’ll have to tell me where you got those,” Hank said.

“I made them, and they’re simple. I made a ton of them, so when you go home tonight, I have a freezer bag of them for him. It’s a cup of plain yogurt, twenty blueberries, and ten sliced strawberries mixed and then frozen. They keep for three months. You can make that batch as big as you want.”

“Ahh, you didn’t need to do that, but thank you. I think even I can make those,” Hank chuckled. He’d told us of his less-than-stellar cooking skills and teased that Gus’s food was tastier than his.

It was well past dark when he excused them for the night after he cleaned up. He refused to let us do it. As they left, Sean tugged on my hand and gave me a suggestive look. I knew what that meant, and I couldn’t wait. Even if I was sore from the prior times, it wasn’t enough to make me say no. I couldn’t get enough of him.