Page 18 of Espresso Your Love
“Give yourself the benefit of the doubt, Mitchell. You’re a good guy and some ladies like the gray. You’re a silver fox.” I close the driver’s side door.
“Silver what?” He looks at me like I have three heads.
“Silver Fox. It’s an older attractive guy with gray hair. You’re not quite gray yet, but you never know, she might like it.”
Mitchell stares at me.
“I have a younger sister who likes romance novels.”
“Nice cover up.”
“I’m serious.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Let’s just deal with the chicken.”
We walk to the bakery, and there’s a crowd huddled outside.
“Hey, Charity. This is Officer Ryan Hayes,” Mitchell says.
Ah, Charity. One half to the Sweet Sisters Bakery.
I stick my hand out to her. “I’ve had your donuts at Coffee Loft. They are amazing.”
“Nice to meet you, Ryan. I’m glad you enjoy them.”
“So what happened?” I ask.
“We had our front door propped open so he must have walked right in. He was terrorizing everyone so we all left and kept him contained in there,” she explains.
“Thanks, Charity, we’ll take it from here,” Mitchell says.
I peek through the bakery window to see the chicken strutting through the lobby. It’s weaving in and out of the tables and chairs.
I suppress my laughter at this absurd situation. “So arresting chicken…is that an everyday occurrence?”
“I mean, we attempt negotiation, but if that doesn’t work…”
A burst of laughter escapes me.
“I’d love to see that,” I tell Mitchell.
“Today’s your lucky day then. Just watch and learn, newbie.” Mitchell pretends to crack his knuckles.
We open the door as the chicken lets out a loud squawk and flaps itself onto a table. I instruct Max to sit and stay while Mitchell works his magic.
Mitchell moves toward the chicken slowly. “Easy now, fella,” he says softly.
When Mitchell is close enough to grab him, the chicken flutters its wings as it hops onto the counter. It scutters across in a flurry, sending a tray of cupcakes flying in the air.
“Want some help there, Mitchell? Before we risk more cupcake losses.”
Mitchell sighs. “Let’s tag team.”
I command Max to one side of the counter. I walk to the opposite side while Mitchell stands guard on the front.
“Slowly move in. We’ll corner it.”
The chicken hops off the counter. We make slow movements as we move towards it to trap it. The bell jingles on the door as a man walks in with a small crate.
