Page 27

Alora

I looked over at Evie as we sat on a picnic table in the park. This was one of my favorite places in the city, with the stables right in the middle. You got to see the horses exercising all the time. I’d volunteered there off and on when they advertised they needed extra help, but as much as I loved the horses, I was terrified to work with them. There were none out today, but I wasn’t surprised with the heat warning. Everything smart was hiding in the shade.

I sipped on my milkshake and glanced at the road as a car drove by, honking its horn. I tensed until it drove on. Stupid nerves. I knew why I was jumpy. I kept having this recurring dream where Evie was in trouble and calling out my name, but I couldn’t get to her. Glancing at my sister, I couldn’t get over how much she’d changed and grown up in the last year. Her looks still had her stuck between pre-teen and teen even though she was thirteen, but in every other way, she’d stormed past me.

“Lora, why does Mom hate Mardi Gras,” Evie asked. I took another sip of my shake. I chose chocolate today, and the creamy, rich flavor was really hitting the spot. I shrugged. “Like, did she have a bad experience?”

Mom started complaining about Mardi Gras a month out from when it hit, and we had to hear every day not to go near the areas flooded with activity. She seemed convinced that we were going to get stolen or be corrupted into a wild party lifestyle. It was tough to tell what actually worried her during the long rants. She’d pointed her finger at us and said, “If I catch you down there, so help me, I will lock you up and throw away the key until you’re twenty.”

“I don’t know, but the tourists kinda ruin it for everyone, well…everyone but the bars on Bourbon Street.” Evie’s face scrunched up in confusion. “They take over and make everything expensive and dirty. Mom says that all the evil people come to party and we’ll be stolen, but I think that’s a lie.” I watched the fancy sports car with the pounding music drive by. “I think there is just as much chance of us being hurt by someone local as a tourist, but what do I know.” I shrugged.

Evie sucked the last of her shake, the slurping sound loud, before she sighed. “I like them.”

“The tourists?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

Her slim shoulders lifted and fell as she looked around. “Because tourists see this place as magical. They come with an open heart and unjaded eyes. They see what we’ve forgotten, which makes it special. We take the music, food, history, and everything else for granted, but they don’t. One day, I want to be a tourist and travel the world. Then come home and hope that I see this place with brand new eyes.”

My mouth fell open. “I swear sometimes you’re like a hundred - year-old just trapped in thirteen-year-old body,” I said, smiling at my sister.

“Is Mom still mad at you,” Evie asked, and I rolled my eyes. This was dangerous territory. My mother and I were like oil and water or maybe a powder keg and an open flame. We couldn’t get on the same page about anything, and I hadn’t said anything to Evie, but I was thinking of running away. I’d rather make it on my own than constantly be screamed at and made to feel like I didn’t belong. The thought of leaving Evie behind was a knife to my heart and the only reason I chose to stay.

“When isn’t Mom mad at me? I’m used to it.” I leaned on the picnic table and stared at the greying wood. “It’s our default setting.” Oh to be more like my sister with a clear vision of what I wanted to do with my life, but I felt like I was a leaf on the breeze, blowing wherever the wind was taking me. There was no telling where I would land or if I even wanted to.

“I’m sorry,” Evie said, grabbing my hand. My throat clogged up. “She is always extra hard on you, and I’m sorry I get you into trouble. Don’t bother denying it. I know Mom thinks you corrupt me.” I snorted and tugged my hand away. The roles were all reversed. I was supposed to be looking out for her, not the other way around.

“Seriously, it’s fine. You know I always have your back. Besides, I don’t care if she yells at me or blames me anymore.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I love this hair color on you.”

I smiled. “Thanks, and don’t worry. I didn’t expect her to understand why I stole a box of hair dye.” I swung my legs over the edge of the seat and stood. “It’s not like she’s wrong. I shouldn’t have done it, and I did feel bad for stealing. I hate that no one will hire me because I’m only sixteen. Loretta’s Greenhouse said they would give me a job but at half pay.” I shook my head. “That’s not fair. I have to walk an hour to get there.”

“I know, but I still don’t get why she grounded you for a month. It was only a box of hair dye. It’s not like you robbed a bank or stole a car.” I laughed. That was exactly the road my mother thought I was on. I had an aversion to prison and tiny boxes, so I’d never do anything that stupid.

“Electric blue hair dye definitely screams I’m on the path to hell,” I said cheekily, making Evie laugh.

“It looks so cool. We should do me pink next, or we should get matching tattoos,” she squealed, brimming with a cheery version of defiance. “I want a butterfly.” Laughing, I tossed my empty milkshake cup in the garbage.

“I would definitely be kicked out of the house if I dyed your hair and took you to get a tattoo. If she knew I left the house and took you with me for a milkshake, she’d have me burned at the stake for trying to rot your teeth out of your head or some shit,” I said, crossing my arms.

I nodded toward the sidewalk. Evie took the hint and tossed her cup before joining me. As soon as we stepped out of the shade, I lifted my arm to block my eyes from the intense rays of the sun. I should’ve been a vampire. Being fair meant that the sun and I didn’t get along. Even though I didn’t burst into flames, no amount of sunscreen could save me. I envied everyone who could tan and not look like they belonged in a horror movie as the ghost.

Evie took me by surprise as she raced up beside me, grabbed me, and wrapped her arms around my waist. “You’re the best sister, Lora. Even if I give you grief, I love you.”

And this was why I couldn’t just pack a bag and hit the road. My heart belonged here with her, at least until she was eighteen, then…well then, we would see. I loved it here, but I wanted to explore the world.

“Hey, I have an idea. Why don’t we plan to take off for your eighteenth birthday? We can backpack around Europe or something for a couple of months.”

Evie’s mouth dropped open, her eyes wide as she barely contained her excitement. “Are you screwing with me?”

“No, I’m serious. You’ll be an adult, and we both want to see the world. Who better to do it with than each other?”

“Hell, yes.” Evie grabbed my hand and started pulling me down the sidewalk. “Come on, let’s go. I have planning to do.”

“Evie, that’s five years away. I think we have time to plan,” I said, rolling my eyes at her but loving that she was so excited by the idea.

“It’s never too early. I’m going to make an entire journal of where we should fly into and all the sites we should see. Oh! And what food to try. Maybe we’ll meet hot guys. Mom would freak if you came home married.”

I’d created a monster, but her enthusiasm for the idea was completely infectious, and the closer we got to the house, the more I wanted it not to be a dream but to make it happen. I smiled at Evie as she kept coming up with ideas of all the places we could go.

“Evie?”

She sighed. “Yeah, yeah, I know calm down.”

“No. I…I was going to say…well.” I stuffed my hands in the pockets of my jean shorts.

A cocky little smile tugged at her lips. “I know. I’m awesome, and you love me.” I pursed my lips as I glared at her. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say it, I know.” She hooked her arm through mine. “Now come on, you’re holding our planning up.”

Greyson

I’d gotten up an hour ago to get the house prepped for Alora’s surprise and continue going over the contract that had been sent over late last night. I couldn’t put this off. The demonstration had been a huge success. Boomer and a couple of the other dogs had sold that day. But more than that, one of the videos of Ken and Whiskey had gone viral, and I was going to be meeting with an independent investor who wanted to expand the therapy dog portion of my operation. The main obstacle was that Rodney physically couldn’t train any more dogs and give everyone the attention they needed. Expanding meant hiring more people, and then I ran the risk of them finding out why I was so obsessive about prepping the dog food. But a ten million initial investment was nothing to sneeze at.

Rodney’s vehicle pulled in, and I stood from the table, glancing up the stairs to make sure Alora wasn’t on her way down before going to the front door. I smirked as he got out and opened up the back of the truck. He picked up the coal black pup, one of our Shepherd/Malinois crosses. I’d had my eye on her since the moment she was born.

“Morning,” Rodney said as he met me at the top of the porch.

“Hey, man. Thanks for doing this,” I said, taking the pup from his arms.

“Don’t mention it. It’ll be nice to have one of the dogs stick around. As much as I love what I do, it’s hard to see them walk out the door,” he said as I rubbed the puppy’s soft head. “I’m surprised it’s taken you this long to want to keep one.”

“My hours are crazy. It just didn’t work to have a puppy. But with Alora here now, I don’t like her alone when I can’t be around. This area is too remote if something happens.”

“I get that. So, are you gonna expand?”

“I was just going over the proposal. I don’t know, though. We work because we know the dogs so well, and each one is given everything they need to succeed. A new person will bring their ideas, and I don’t like to mess with a good thing.”

“I might have a solution, but we can talk about it tomorrow.” Rodney gave the pup a little pat. “Go give your girl her gift. I need to hammer out details before I bring the idea to you anyway.”

I held out my hand, and Rodney shook it. “I always value your input. Maybe I should double your salary.”

Rodney laughed as he walked away. “Don’t say that too many times. I’ll hold you to it,” he said, getting into the truck. With a wave, he left, and I held up the new addition. She stared at me with her intelligent eyes, and I smiled. You could already see her personality shining. She was going to make an excellent companion and guard dog.

Heading inside, I put the pup on the floor and gave her the hand signal to sit. She sat down with her large ears standing up straight. They were far too large for her head, and if I turned her upside down, she’d look like a bat. She’d grow into them soon enough. I gave her a small reward before telling her to stay.

Jogging up the stairs, I looked back to see her sitting perfectly still, waiting for her next command. Damn, Rodney was magic. I’d let Alora sleep in. She seemed to need it after three nights of bartending. Even though I knew that spilling the alcohol on herself, pouring it, and serving were difficult for her, she never let it show, and the extra hands behind the bar were a huge asset. Beyond that, there were at least a dozen guys who were going to lose their hands when I got the chance. Fuckers touching her was not something I would ever tolerate.

Alora made a sound in her sleep, and I crawled on the bed to see her brow scrunched, but a tiny smile pulled at her lips. What made the look more confusing was the steady stream of tears rolling down her cheeks.

Leaning over her, I kissed each droplet and flicked my tongue to catch the one about to drip off of her chin. Sweet, just like the rest of her. Alora’s beautiful eyes batted as she slowly opened them.

“Hey there, Doll.”

“Hi,” she said, cupping my cheek.

“What were you dreaming about? You were crying.”

“My sister. It was one of the best days we spent together.” Alora wiped the tears from her face and stared at her hand. “They were happy tears.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” She shook her head no and then stretched. The blanket slipped below her tits, and my eyes were drawn to them like they called my name. Fuck. No, we can’t do this right now. “Fuck, you look delicious.”

“Why don’t you come back to bed,” she said, and I groaned as I pushed myself away before caving into the temptation.

“I would, but you have a surprise downstairs.”

Alora pushed herself up, her eyes full of worry. “It’s not another carnival ride, is it? You’ve already ruined carousels for the rest of my life.”

Smiling, I shook my head. “No, I promise,” I said, digging around in my drawer to find her a T-shirt to put on. It was one of my favorite outfits on her. I groaned as she slipped from the bed, completely naked. Dammit, I should’ve thought this through and had Rodney come later in the day.

Taking the shirt, she pulled it on and rose on her toes to kiss my cheek. “I love it when you look at me like you’re going to eat me alive,” Alora whispered.

“Trust me, that’s all I’m thinking about.” I adjusted my thickening cock to emphasize my point. She smirked. “Come on, before I drag you to the bed.” Taking Alora’s hand, I led her downstairs, and when I spotted the pup in the same spot as if she’d never even blinked, I knew I’d made the perfect choice.

“Where is my…oh my God…Greyson, is…is….”

“Yes, she’s yours.”

“Oh my God, she’s adorable.” She ran across the room and then looked at me. “Can I pick her up?” I nodded.

“She’s yours. I’ll show you her commands, and she’ll remain in training with Rodney, but she is your puppy.” Alora scooped up the pup, and Yara licked her face. Within two seconds, I was jealous of a puppy as Alora cooed to her and held her to her chest. I could easily see her killing someone to protect Yara, and it was supposed to be the other way around. “What’s her name?”

“Yara,” I said as the pup tucked her muzzle into Alora’s neck.

“I love that.”

“It means little butterfly,” I said, and Alora froze, staring at me. “What? Did I say something wrong,” I asked as more tears spilled from her eyes. This time, the puppy licked them off her cheeks.

“No, it’s just…I was dreaming about this old memory of when my sister wanted me to take her to get a butterfly tattoo. It’s crazy…I…could it be a message? Don’t answer that. I know it’s crazy. Thank you so much. I love her,” she said before kissing me and then sitting down on the floor with the pup in her lap. “Hello, Yara, you’re so beautiful,” Alora cooed.

I stared at the instant love in Alora’s eyes and tapped my lip. Maybe this was a bad idea. I was pretty sure I just got demoted to second.