Your unit shouldn’t have been out there, should they, Tinney?
Jock shook his head and then nodded.“Gonna be.Starts now.”
He climbed up behind the steering wheel and started the truck.Looking over his shoulder, he found Tank already lying down and feigning sleep and Maynard stretched out on the seat until the pads of his feet were touching Tank.“Okay.”He breathed deeply.“Okay.”
The ride home was unremarkable, both dogs sleeping most of the way.He took Tank in first and secured an indignant mastiff into his kennel in the living room, then went back out and found Maynard had worked himself up into a froth, trying to climb out of the truck.The whining was audible before he got to the truck.Once the dog could see Jock, the volume went down, but it wasn’t until he was installed in a kennel right next to Tank that Maynard calmed the rest of the way down.
“Okay, boys.I’d planned on doing a backyard thing, but I think we’re in the house for the evening.My nerves are all jumpy as hell.”Jock laughed.“I’m talking to you both like you know what I’m saying.”He reached over, opened Tank’s kennel, and pushed the door wide.Tank sighed heavily as he climbed to his feet, giving Jock the biggest side-eye.He went to Maynard’s kennel and stuck his nose up to the bars while Maynard did the same even as he jumped up and down.Tank growled, just a warning, and Maynard stopped hopping like a bunny.
“Tank, don’t start any wars, okay?I’ll be right back.”
By the time he returned to the living room, Tank was splayed out against the front wall of Maynard’s kennel, while Maynard was laying right next to the bars.But Maynard was whining, and his eyes were fixed on the hallway.He settled somewhat after he could see Jock, but it took another of Tank’s growls to sort out his anxiety.
“Tank, let’s put these on, my guy.”That earned him another side-eye from the mastiff, but, groaning all the while, Tank got on his feet and came to where Jock was seated on the floor.It was easy work getting the pajamas on Tank and harder work to get him back into his kennel.Jock wanted to get the matching, although two sizes smaller, pajamas on Maynard so he could get used to the feeling.
He let Maynard out, and the pit bull made a mad dash to Tank’s kennel, where he laid on his belly facing in, looking at Tank with excited eyes.Tank pulled another growl out of his chest, and Maynard quivered.
“Let’s get this on you.”He held up the clothing and got Maynard to back up in between his knees.It didn’t go as fast as with Tank, but it was easier than expected.Jock got his tail arranged and fastened the final snaps, scooting backwards while Maynard ran back over to lay nose-to-nose with Tank.He pulled out his phone to take a picture of the two dogs dressed like twins.
He was laughing so hard, the first three pictures he tried to take were unfocused and fuzzy.Finally he got a good shot and sent it to Ace, then Kent, and then after thinking for a minute to both Wildman and Gunny.
*Nice.Good dogs.*
That was from Ace.
*I don’t get dog pictures?*
That was from Wrench, who’d probably gotten a forward from Ace.
*Why am I getting dog pictures from Wrench?*
And that was from Twisted.And now Wrench is trying to one-up my Prez.
Jock blew out a stream of air.“These boys are all a little entitled.So—” He knee-walked over to Tank’s kennel.“—let’s get this going.”
One hand on Maynard’s collar, he opened the door and let Tank out.Tank stalked stiff-legged over to where Maynard sat and laid his chin on Maynard’s shoulder.“Not great, Tankster.”That was pretty dominant behavior.But Maynard didn’t do anything Jock might have expected.He whined and crept closer to where Tank stood.Jock let go of Maynard’s collar and got to his feet.He was close enough to intervene quickly if needed, but the dogs needed a little space from him.
Tank sniffed and lowered his head, putting his nose next to Maynard’s.Both dogs pulled in big lungfuls of air, and then it was over.Tank turned to find his favorite dog bed, with Maynard padding along directly behind him.
Which led to another round of dog pictures sent to the men as a group chat, shutting up the complaining.
***
Silly
A few hours later, the plane landed in Charlotte, and when she unlocked her phone, she found a message from Jock with an accompanying picture.Him, with Tank on one side and Maynard on the other, both dogs looking up at him with adoring expressions.
*Puppy love is so cute.*
As if he were sitting with the phone in his hand, which he probably was, his response was immediate.
*It really is.You got there okay?Hotel okay?Did you get to see where you’ll set up tomorrow?*
*Whoa, big guy.I’m on the bus from the airport to the hotel.I’ll keep you updated.Promise.I love you.*
*Love you.*
Another image message came through, and she laughed out loud at the sprawl of big dogs in one bed, legs going everywhere.
