“Maddie does like to go to her room and play.” I muse.
“Lucy loves her crib,” Gavin adds, his large hand practically covering his little girl’s entire body.
“You can put a memory-foam cushion and Ladybird’s favorite things in it,” Gina continues. “And it can be her safe space.”
“Patsy has slept in a kennel since we got her,” Haddy adds. “It keeps her safe from Maverick.”
“Hey!” her cousin calls from where he’s working at the grill. “Just standing here making your dinner… And that only happened one time.”
“Once was enough,” Haddy snarks.
“You wouldn’t have even known about it if I hadn’t told you,” he argues.
My brow furrows, and I look from him to her and backagain. “Is somebody going to tell me what happened? The suspense is killing me.”
“Maverick thought he sat on Peepee.” Gavin snorts, causing his little girl to stir. “One of Spanky’s chew toys was on the couch, and when he flopped on it, it let out a loud squeak.”
“I almost shat my pants!” Maverick yells over his shoulder.
Gigi presses her lips together hard, her eyes wide as she fights laughter. I bite the inside of my cheek because Haddy’s eyes are narrowed on all of us.
Sitting forward, it’s my turn to clear my throat.
“Those chew toys can make you hurt yourself,” I say, trying to help my new friend. “I stepped on one in the dark the other night, and I nearly broke my neck.”
“Well, anyway, it’s just a suggestion.” Gigi’s voice is warm, and she smiles sweetly as she redirects the subject. “With the transition and moving, it might ease any anxiety.”
I look down, thinking my dog couldn’t be any less anxious if she tried. She’s a big baby, and if she doesn’t like something, she’s pretty good at letting me know.
Maverick announces the food’s ready, and as he spoons the grilled chicken onto a platter, we line up to fix our plates. Haddy takes baby Lucy from her fiancé and steps into the house to feed her. I hope she’s not leaving on my account, but Gavin assures me she prefers the quiet when she’s nursing.
“I’ve never met anyone who knew so much about dogs,” I say as Gina and I return to our seats at the table.
“It’s my life’s work.” Gigi rolls her soft taco, folding the base like a pro.
“What got you interested in them?”
“She was born because of a dog,” Maverick says, taking Haddy’s empty chair as he quickly rolls up a soft taco.
“What?” I laugh, looking at Gigi, who’s shaking her head as she finishes her bite.
“It’s an old family joke.” Her green eyes roll. “Mom was overdue with me, so she went for a walk, hoping it would help her go into labor.”
Maverick jumps in, taking up the story. “A lady was in the park with a dog, and Aunt Liv says as soon as the dog started barking, her water broke.”
I can’t help a laugh. “You wanted to see the dog?”
“I don’t think that’s true, but maybe?” A smile lifts the corners of her mouth. “I’ve always loved dogs. They’re noble, they protect us and help us hunt. Studying them is fascinating.”
“I believe you.” My voice is low, and Gigi’s chin dips.
The faintest pink shade warms her cheeks, and I decide one beer is enough for me tonight. I’m having thoughts I don’t want to have about her.
Haddy breezes back, cutting through the momentary tension. “It’s better if I feed her before I eat all the spicy food.”
She hands the baby to Gavin, who has just finished. “Come here, Lulu,” he grins, holding up his little daughter to make eye contact.
Her head wobbles as she smiles, blowing bubbles.
