Page 20 of Jasmine Street Blues

Mac made her think that maybe she should try. The kiss had her spun up, even though it had been simple and too quick. It hadn’t been quite passionless, though. No, there had been something new there, something exciting. The fact that she might have to run again would always be in the back of her mind, but would it hurt to relax a bit? Take more walks with Mac, rub a dog behind the ears, laugh with friends, allow herself to remember what it was like to be touched. It had been such a long time.

They turned a corner and Mac came to a stop. Three boys stood in a knot straight ahead, gathered in the middle of the sidewalk.

“We can turn back here,” he said.

“Why?”

“The Three Bs are blocking the sidewalk.”

The boys who’d been messing with Bubbles, earlier in the day. It would probably be easiest to turn around. To retreat. That was her way and had been for a while. “Scared?” she teased.

“Hell no,” Mac said, then he started walking again.

It wasn’t long before the boys saw them. One of them, a wiry redhead, shouted “Run!” and then did so. The other two didn’t move, so the runner reluctantly spun around and rejoined his friends. They stepped into the grass to allow Loran, Bubbles, and the man who led him to pass unimpeded.

Mac grunted what might’ve been a greeting. The three boys mumbled something unintelligible in return.

Loran stopped and looked down, focusing on one boy. The runner. “Are these the boys who were being mean to Bubbles?” she asked.

Two of the kids had the good grace to look ashamed. The other one, a tall blond, said, “We were playing with the dog, not being mean.”

“Really,” she replied. “I think Bubbles would disagree.”

As if to agree, Bubbles gave a low growl.

The boy who’d been silent and still until now turned his gaze to Mac. “Is this your girlfriend?”

There was a slight pause before Mac answered. “She’s a friend and she’s a girl, so I guess she is.”

“That’s not what he means,” the runner said before looking at Loran. “You’re dating a cop.”

She smiled. “I know. Aren’t I the lucky one?”

One kid laughed, but it didn’t last. Mac’s stare put an end to it.

“I hope you three haven’t been teasing other animals,” Loran said. “It’s really cruel, and you boys don’t look cruel to me.”

“We were just bored,” one said. “There’s nothing to do around here!”

She was just glad they didn’t have their noses in cell phones or video games. Kids needed to be outside, they needed to play. They also needed purpose. Everyone did. “Maybe you boys can help Chief Maxwell with Bubbles.”

She felt Mac’s glare before she turned to witness it for herself. “Well, you do work long hours, and we don’t want Bubbles to be neglected.”

“I would never neglect the mutt,” he responded.

“If you don’t like the idea…”

Mac sighed. “I guess it makes sense. He looked at the boys, one at a time. “I’m guessing you all know where I live. If you’re interested, meet me tomorrow at my house. Eight a.m.”

“Eight?” the blond screeched. “In the morning?”

Mac shrugged his shoulders. “Only if you’re interested in earning a little bit of money.”

That got their attention.

“Not a lot, mind you, but if you do a good job I’ll pay you.” Another glare. “If you don’t do a good job, you’re out.”

There was no commitment from the kids, as Mac resumed the walk. Bubbles was getting antsy, so it was time to move. They were well down the sidewalk before he said, “What have you done to me?”