Page 92 of You Chive Me Crazy

I nodded. “Good call.”

We got in line at Rowan’s Sausage Safari, eyed the menu, then all decided on the chili dogs since it was one of their specialties.

“My treat,” I said, when it was our turn to order.

Rowan leaned out of his truck, recognizing me immediately. “Lucas! What a surprise to see you here, and what an honor that you came to try my hot dogs. Grandma Kay said you stayed with her at the inn. She also said you gave her quite the show.”

“Yeah—we don’t need to talk about that.” I wrinkled my nose, and Rowan laughed. “She couldn’t stop talking about your chili dogs. We’ll take three, please. And throw in three bottles of water.”

“You got it,” he said. “And they are on the house.”

I shook my head. “I can’t accept that, unfortunately. I need to pay for them myself, just in case I want to review them. Company policy, but thank you, though. I appreciate the offer.”

Hopefully, he wouldn’t be paranoid about the possibility of a review.

“I totally understand,” Rowan said. “And I’m confident you are going tolovemy chili dogs.”

“Looking forward to it,” I said, handing him my credit card, impressed that he’d mentioned nothing about the critical review I’d given him. “Where are we going to eat? That is the question. This place is packed.”

Rowan hung out the window and pointed off to the side. “We have an employee table on the side, behind the condiment bar. Please sit there.”

“That’s great,” I said. “Thank you.”

Literally seconds after we sat down with our food to eat, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I twisted around to see who it was.

“Hey there!” Hank said, giving me a friendly pat on the back, then coming around so I could see him better.

He and Harmony were both wearing matching T-shirts once again. His shirt had a little mouse on the front, while hers had an image of a mousetrap.

Hank gestured to our chili dogs. “We tried these bad boys the moment we got here. They’re incredible. I guarantee you are going to love them. Sure, we’ll all be gassy later, but it’ll be worth it in the end. Ha! Get it? In the end?” He laughed and slapped the table, causing Savannah’s water bottle to topple over the edge.

Hank watched me as I picked up her bottle, his eyes still on my right arm.

I was just about to take the first bite of my chili dog when he said, “You’re not very hairy, Lucas. Do you wax?”

Rolando snorted.

Savannah covered her mouth.

“My trichologist says I’ve got hair coming out the bazooka because I’ve got too much protein in my diet,” Hank added. “How are your protein levels?”

I gestured to my chili dog. “They’ll be much better after I eat this.”

“Well then, what are you waiting for?” he asked.

“Mmm,” I said, taking the first bite. “Wow.” I had another bite, then took a few notes for the review. It was the first time I’d ever tried chili with diced tri-tip sirloin mixed with bacon and sausage. It was fabulous.

“So good,” Rolando said, nodding his approval, wolfing down another huge bite. “I may need to get another one.”

“Did I tell you, or did I tell you?” Hank said. “I guaranteed you would like it!” He smiled proudly, as if he were part of the reason the chili dog tasted so good.

“You certainly told us,” I said, stifling a laugh and jotting down a few more things.

“Rowan!” I called out to him, giving him an enthusiastic thumbs-up. “That was amazing. Five stars! Expect a glowing review from me soon, but right now, we have to go.”

“No worries!” Rowan called out. “I’m glad you enjoyed them!”

We took a break from the food and did a few laps around the place with Hank and Harmony, enjoying the sunshine and the mountain air.