Page 36 of Forever Home

“Thanks, Red.” Delaney took the card and examined it.

“I’m not sure,” Tabitha said, even though she took the card. “But I’ll think about it.” She wasn’t working right now and no way in heck was Auntie El going to spring for a massage. She’d had many jobs since she’d gotten out of the navy—just local shops where she thought she could hide herself restocking groceries or folding sweaters or dressing the mannequins—but she’d been late too many times, ignored customers too many times, freaked out and hid in the bathroom too many times. It was always something. All of this was pre-Trinity, and Tabitha was hoping, with a little more time, she could try again soon. Until then, money was tight. The only way she could afford Semper Fit was the veteran’s discount.

“Remember what I said. First one’s free.” Constance headed into the office, where she slid her arms around Rhett’s unsuspecting waist from behind.

“Gosh, those two are sweet.” Tabitha got butterflies in her stomach.

Delaney chuckled under her breath. “They do give a girl sugar shock.”

Tabitha offered a guilty smile. “You’re probably not a romantic. But I can’t help it.”

“I can be romantic,” Delaney said, but her voice got all squeaky and weird, like she knew it was a lie.

“Are you dating Sean?” Tabitha was surprised at herself, as soon as the question popped out.

“Callahan?” Delaney looked down at the floor. “No.” She waved a hand. “We actually get on each other’s nerves. Well, he gets on mine, anyway. And he’s working my case. Somebody stole my motorcycle. The one that was my dad’s.” Her voice went soft and her humor faded.

Tabitha thought back to the grand opening. “The old one? From the shop?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.” Delaney pressed her lips together in a grim line.

“I’m sorry. Who would do that?” Tabitha regretted her naive question. People did all sorts of things for all sorts of bad or confusing reasons all the time. Figuring out why used to be one of her specialties.

“That’s what Callahan is trying to find out.”

“I hope he does.”

“Me, too. Hey.” Delaney pointed at the business card in Tabitha’s hand. “Schedule that.”

“I don’t know—”

“Trust me when I say, people don’t do massages for free. It’s too much work.” Delaney pointed in Constance’s direction. “She’s being nice because she knows you need it. She’s Sunny’s sister, you know. She massages the dogs.”

“Oh, wow. I thought she looked familiar,” Tabitha mused, thinking back. “I never met her, but now that I think about it, I saw Constance at Pete’s once or twice. Always in the background. What a small world.”

“No kidding.”

Tabitha looked down at Trinity. “That means she’s massaged you, I bet.”

Trinity wagged her tail.

“See?” Delaney arched an eyebrow. “The dog knows.”