Chapter 2

The rest of the day flew by, Natalie and Houston left the office together and I knew it was only a matter of time he would be back in the saddle and go back to his old ways.

I got a call from Maureen wishing the week would hurry up so we could start our fun and asking me what I was bringing to wear and if we would be going to the pool. I agreed told her the week was dragging and she suggested we get together and have a pre-Vegas get together.

"Sounds like a plan I'll call Carol and let's meet at Sergio's for Margaritas and Tacos."

Carol said she would be coming but late I got there and sat down and saw Maureen heading towards me. I could tell Maureen was not feeling well.

"Hey you look a little green around the gills what's going on."

She went on to explain she had been having a sharp pain by her lower abdomen and but had gotten worse today. Before the drinks even got to the table Maureen eyes rolled back and she passed out at the table I had the waitress call 911 and went with her to the Hospital.

I was fielding questions from the staff when I heard my name.

I turned around and saw Houston running down the hall and taking me into his arms.

"Are you okay I heard they brought you in an ambulance from Sergio's I thought the worse, what's going on CJ?"

I looked behind him and there was Natalie looking not too happy in having her night interrupted by me. She came up to us arms crossed and angry.

"I'm usually not the third wheel in a relationship and I will not be treated this way, Houston I want to go home now!"

I pulled away and tried to apologize and explained what had happened to my friend. But she would not listen. He said he'd be back and took a shocked Natalie by the arm and dragged her out of the Emergency Room.

I finished the paperwork and Carol arrived asking if I heard anything I shook my head no.

She said she'd find out what was going on and went to go talk to the doctor on call.

I turned to see Houston back without Natalie, "Houston I'm sorry your date was interrupted but how did you know I was at the hospital? And where's Natalie?"

He went on to explain that he had gotten a call from Hoyt stating an officer had recognized me and had casually relayed the information to Hoyt who in turned called Houston.

He took my hand, "so it wasn't you but Maureen? Any word from the doctor? Don't worry about Natalie she won't be coming around any longer she needs to understand my family comes first and if she can't…"

Before I could answer him, Carol came back to give us the news on Maureen, she needed her appendix taken out that night.

We waited and got news that the surgery went well, and she was resting.

Houston gave me a lift to get my car since Maureen's brother had gone to pick up her car at the restaurant.

"You want me to follow you home or you can spend the night at the Beach house its closer." I shook my head no that I wanted to go home and he hesitated and said, "I broke all kinds of speeding laws trying to get to that hospital CJ. I'm glad you're okay and if you need anything let me know."

I squeezed his hand kissed him on the cheek and told him good night went home and woke up the next morning and went to go visit Maureen.

"I can't believe I needed my appendix out. Wow no wonder I've been feeling like crap for a couple of days."

"Maureen a couple of days why did you wait so long to go get it checked out?" Carol came in and explained that Maureen had been avoiding her for the last couple of months and if she had come in for her yearly physical this would not have occurred.

"I'm sorry I guess I've ruined our trip to Sin City doctor says I need to rest and no stress for the next week or two. I did ask about alcohol and he just gave me the evil eye." Carol said, "Who said we aren't still going? Just me and CJ you didn't follow doctors' orders so now you must pay."

"You're right you guys go and have fun without me I'll just stay home and wallow in my misery of not following Dr. Carol's orders".

I laughed at her being so melodramatic, "Don't worry sis we won't go without you will just postpone it okay?"

Carol agreed saying it wouldn't be as fun so we decided once she got a clean bill of health we would plan our escape.

I went back to the office and Houston was there I told him we were postponing our plans. He volunteer to take me since he knew how much I was looking forward to this time. I said no that it was going to be a girl's weekend and it would happen but just not now.

Uncle Roy and Will showed up and I told them about Maureen and suggested they should go to Vegas in our place I told Houston he should take Natalie and she might forgive him he said that ship had sailed and he already had plans with Uncle Roy to go fishing for the weekend.

I asked Will why he wasn't going, "Matt won't let me take Beast on the boat." Houston shook his head, "Nope that mongrel is not getting on my boat last time he destroyed the galley door trying to get out. The boat dingy and not to mention he went overboard trying to catch a seagull he's not welcomed on my boat again."

Beast was Will's huge Mastiff Hound that he had rescued from the pound. He had started to warm up to us but, was a handful, he had come to visit me and had left a path of destruction starting with my flower beds and not to mention the carpet I'd had to replace. Yes, Beast was one of a kind.

They started to argue, and I could see Will really wanted to go but I didn't think my house could withstand another Beast onslaught.

"CJ do you want to come with us?" Houston asked.

I said no.

"Well I want to go, "Will pouted

"Find a kennel that will take the hound from hell for the weekend and you could come because he isn't staying anywhere else after the last time."

Will rubbed his neck, "Yeah I know when you vowed that he would never set foot in your house after the last time we came over. Oh and Beast has been banned from all the local kennels."

I laughed.

I saw he really wanted to go, Will had been having a hard time adjusting to life he had just come back from traveling the states and knew this fishing trip was what he needed to bond with his family.

I caved and said, "I can watch him for you if you want Will". They all turned to look at me.

Houston was shaking his head, "No CJ he's too much for you he could knock you down and…"

"Houston its ok he likes me, and I think it would be good for all of you to take this trip. Get some male bonding going."

Will took my hand, "Really CJ you'd do that for me? Hey Houston, how about you let her stay at your place Beast likes the beach and he's afraid of you since the last time you threaten to take him back to the pound he might behave better there than anyone else's house come on Cuz l really want to go." Will looked at his cousin.

Houston looked at me, "Are you sure this was supposed to be your weekend, now you're saddled with the hound from Hell? Don't let my cousins begging sway you and how did I get snookered into having the mongrel stay at my house?"

"I'm good really Will's right Beast likes the beach and I'd really would rather stay there than my house I think he's afraid of you so he might be more willing to behave."

He looked at Wil and gave in, "All right you can dog sit the mongrel at my house. I was going to surprise you with a new alarm system I was going to have it installed while you were gone so it works out if you stay the weekend at my place. I don't mind. But I think Will needs to sweeten the pot I'm thinking cash or a spa getaway what do you think Uncle Roy?"

"Totally agree with you nephew I think Will should throw in a wine and chocolate basket for this weekend also."

Will grin, "Deal Beast will be happy, and we get to get some fishing done and hey when we get back, I'll even cook whatever we catch will that be enough of a payment?"

I nodded and we decided that I would come over Thursday morning and stay until Sunday. I called to check on Maureen she was groggy and said she was okay but would call me when she was more awake. I then called Carol to let her know my new plans.

Carol asked if she could come by and I warned her about Beast she said she'd chance it and said maybe we could get some sun and go down to the pier to have dinner. My weekend was looking up. I worked for the rest of the day and didn't realize how late it was. I looked up and Houston was there.

"Hey you hungry Uncle Roy, Will and me are going to dinner and we're wondering if you want to join us?"

I stood up and walk over to him.

"Wow having dinner with the handsome Houston men I might have to fight the women off but I'm willing to chance it, oh and I'm not paying I think Will should have that honor he actually should pay for all of our dinners since he owes me big time."

He put his arm around me.

"Oh that was decided before I even came in here so what's the most expensive restaurant you can think of and make sure we order the most expensive plates and CJ you don't have to worry about me I've got my date."

I shook my head and didn't say anything as we went to join Uncle Roy and Will. Houston never left my side that evening and I pretended it was a real date even with a good night kiss. I had the most restful sleep that night and still was smiling in the morning.

Thursday came and I brought my luggage and was greeted by Beast he had gotten bigger and I gulped.

"He's bigger than the last time I saw him Will." Beast turned to me and started to jump up I yelled, "Sit!"

Which he did, they stared and waited for him to maul me, but he didn't, and I was relieved.

Houston said, "I told you this was a bad Ideal Will you didn't say the Mongrel was double the size now I don't think this is a good ideal let's just do this another day."

I got down to Beast's level, "now listen up buddy me and you will be spending the next couple of days together so your daddy can have some bonding time with his dad and cousin you are going to be a good boy for your auntie CJ right?"

Beast barked and wagged his tail and lifted his paw.

Uncle Roy laughed, "Well if I wasn't here to witness this, I wouldn't believe it he actually is obeying her.

"I think we have an understanding okay Will where's his food and other stuff anything special you need me to do with him now is the time to let me know."

Houston joined in, "I do believe the Beauty tamed the wild Beast and I do mean beauty" I turned, and he had that smile that always made me weak. I rolled my eyes and went with Will, he had written out Beast routine and had showed me where his food, leash and dog bed were.

Houston pulled me aside, "last chance you can back out and no one will be mad honestly I didn't think that dog could grow any bigger are you sure you'll be able to handle him?"

I nodded yes and told him to be careful he pulled me into his arms and gave me a kiss on the cheek whispering, "We could still go to Vegas just you and me heck we might even temp lady luck and comeback married." He wagged his eyebrows.

I laughed, "Go now! You guys have fun okay. Beast and I will be fine oh and Carol is coming over, so I'll have a doctor in the house."

"No wild parties allowed if I'm not here and I have my satellite phone on just in case or if you want to talk," Houston pulled out his phone and I nodded.

They walked out and I brought Beast to the patio area where we waved bye to the Houston men and settled in. Beast turned out to be mellower than our last encounter.

He listened to me when he tried to jump up on the chairs and when he needed to go out, he walked to the door with his leash and sat. We ate dinner in front of the TV. Houston called to see if I was okay and I told him we were watching TV together and not to worry and I ended up sleeping on the couch with Beast.

Carol came over Friday morning I introduced her to Beast who was the perfect gentle dog he obeyed her when she had told him to sit and we decided to walk him on the beach. He loved it, but made sure no males came to close to us which Carol was not happy about me I didn't mind not wanting to really get back into the dating game again.

"Beast is cramping my social life CJ."

I shrugged, "Sorry he's possessive that way, doesn't like male strangers."

We kept walking and she stepped away. Me and Beast continued to walk, and she came back and said, "I'm going to go talk to Aaron over there Beast won't let him get to close." I laughed told her to have fun but me and Beast where moving on down the beach and then back home it was almost lunch time for him.

We walked a little bit further and then turned back going towards the house others attempted to strike up a conversation but once Beast growled, they waved and kept walking. We got to the house as the phone started to ring.

"Well is my house still standing?" It was Houston I laughed and told him nothing had been broken and everything was well, that Beast was being a good dog but how he was cramping Carol's ability to meet new men and mine by not letting any males get to close to us.

"Good Doggy make sure you cook him one of my T-Bones in the freezer he earned that."

"Ha ha Houston I'll let Carol know you are rewarding the mongrel for stopping her from finding a date."

"Carol can date whoever she wants I was thinking mostly about you did you try to find a new beau?"

I chuckled, "why are you so curious about my social life Houston I'll date when I'm good and ready and right now I'm taking a break. What is it with you and Carol trying to get me to find someone to do the horizontal mambo with?"

I heard him spit something out and Will yelling at him to turn towards the water and not spit on him. Before he could recover, I said, "talk to you later Houston."

Carol walked in excited saying she was going to see Aaron tonight and he had a friend. I shook my head no I wasn't ready for anything like that. "Oh yes you are it's not a date we are just hanging out they aren't even from around here they are visiting a friend and will be leaving Sunday back to Seattle. Come on CJ lets got let our hair down."

I gave in and I actually had fun. My dates name was Bruce and he was very cute. We went to a club that had live music and we dance most of the night. When we heard the rumbling of thunder we decided to head back to the house before it started to rain.

They walked us to Houston's house and Beast was barking and growling when he heard them get close, I shrugged my shoulder and said I was dog sitting for a friend and he didn't like strangers. Bruce gave me a kiss on the cheek and asked if we could get together tomorrow I said yes and gave him Houston's house number and Carol looked at me and said she was going to go for a walk on the beach with Aaron she whispered when she got close, "don't wait up."

I nodded said good night and came into a waiting Beast. That night the weather did change, and I was awoken by thunder and a scared Beast jumping into the bed with his leash.

"You've got to be kidding Beast right now it's raining cats and no pun intended dogs out there."

He whined I hated my life at that moment. I got up changed into some clothes and grabbed Houston's slicker knowing if I didn't, I'd be soaked to the bone. I looked for my cell phone saw the time it was 2:30 am. I looked at Beast and mumbled to myself that I had volunteered to watch him, and it wasn't his fault. I grabbed my phone, umbrella, house key and flashlight and I checked the spare room and saw Carol sleeping relieved she didn't spend the night with Aaron.

I went downstairs without making a noise and opened the door the rain was coming down steadily and Beast looked at me I pointed out and he started to walk toward the grass area to take care of business once done he looked around and his ears stood up.

I had felt something but didn't know what and I looked around wondering what he was hearing.

"What's wrong boy what do you hear?" I'd wish I'd brought my pepper spray or even Houston's gun in my haste to tend to Beast I had let my guard down. I started to pull him back to the house but he wasn't having it. Beast barked and took off the opposite direction, almost yanking my arm out of its socket. I yelled at him to stop but he kept running. I tried to stop him but it wasn't any use. The rain had gotten worse and trying to run in the rain was no fun. He was dragging me towards the sand I tried to pull back, but he wasn't budging. He finally stopped by a bench and trash can I almost toppled over him and started to yell but all he did was push the trash can. "What Beast what's in the can?"

He whined and I took out my flashlight and saw the can was full with a pizza box on top. I wondered if he was looking for scraps. He looked at me and jumped on the bench and pushed the can again when I heard a noise. I pulled the pizza box off and started too rummaged through the trash can wondering what I would find and opened a trash bag and gasped inside the bag was a newborn baby and it wasn't moving.