Page 36 of Penn

Once the water at my feet is clear again, and I’m washed and clean, I turn off the water and step out. I dry off, and I wipe down the foggy mirror to stare at myself. One of these days, I’m going to make a move. I’m going to tell Dixie that I want more than just her sleeping in the guest room. I want to be welcoming her and a new baby into my home when she gets released from the hospital.

“You can do it,” I mutter to myself. “Maybe not tonight since she’s already asleep, but before the next run. Before it’s too late.”

I glance down at my naked body and wonder if walking out completely naked to talk to her would be a little too forward. It should get exactly what I want across to her. The moment she sees me, the cock resting against my thigh will be hard and pointing directly at her. There’s no way she could mistake how I feel then, could she?

Laughing, I shake my head. As much fun as that would be, I know it’s not the right tactic. Hell, she’d probably run screaming out of here. It’s a bit too forward.

I get dressed, and when I step into the hallway, Princess is at my feet. She has that look in her eyes. The one that says she’s going to take another piss on my boots if she doesn’t get taken out right this moment.

Picking her up, I carry her quickly to the back door and set her down on the grass. She immediately squats down to pee before placing her nose to the ground and moving to find the perfect spot to shit.

I’ve never really understood that. Do they really need to smell the best area to poop, or is it something to do while they walk the crap out of them? Kind of like scrolling when we’re on the toilet.

My bare feet move on the hot stone, still overly warm from the sun that was up just thirty minutes ago, and I can’t wait until the winter months come. When it’s not ungodly hot at all hours of the day and night.

The familiar smell of dog shit hits my nose, and I see Princess trotting over to me from the shadows. Her proud little prance with her clumsy paws makes me smile.

“God, I’ve missed this,” I say, bending down to scratch her ears.

Her tongue licks at my palm, and I open the door for her to scramble inside. And right to Dixie. Like she always does.

She doesn’t hate me. In fact, I think Princess loves me. But she is definitely Dixie’s dog.

“Good,” I whisper.

It’s exactly what I’d hoped for. Give Dixie another reason to stick around. Leaving with a newborn and a young dog would be incredibly difficult. And she loves Princess as much as I do, so it’s not like she’s going to be overly willing to leave without her.

“Hey,” Dixie’s soft voice calls as I walk into the living room where Princess has taken up her spot on Dixie’s legs again. “You’re home.”

“Been home for a bit,” I say, pulling her blanket back up over her shoulder. “Had to wash the sand off me.”

“You took a shower already?”

Nodding, I sit in the recliner and smile at her. “Sure did. Pretty sure I just made mud in my pipes, but fuck it. How was she?”

“She was good. Tiring, but good. And I think she missed you.”

“Is the dog the only one who missed me?”

Dixie flushes as she closes her eyes again. “It’s not as quiet when you’re gone now.”

That’s not a yes or a no. “I bet.”

“You look tired. And you have that look.”

I frown as she opens her eyes again. “What look?”

“The one that makes it clear you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

“Just a long ride,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “Nothing to worry about.”

“You always say that,” she says and sits up. “You’re a closed book, Penn. You know almost everything about the mess I’ve gotten myself into, but I don’t know much about you. It’s not really fair.”

Princess looks put out as Dixie moves, but she won’t be deterred. She climbs onto Dixie’s lap when she sits cross-legged and rests her head on Dixie’s knee.

“There’s not that much to tell. I’m a simple man. Pretty sure Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote that song before I was even born about me.”

“Cop-out,” she challenges and leans forward as much as she can between her small belly and Princess. “How about a deal?”