“There’s a guy here.”
“Theo, there’s a really big guy coming.”
“What the actual fuck? He’s rolling on the driveway with the dogs?”
“Theo?”
I let out a relieved breath, chuckled, and willed my heart to stop trying to claw itself out of my chest. I walked briskly toward the house, laughing as soon as I saw our visitor.
The dogs were crawling all over him, and Rey had retreated behind the kittens’ pen as if to keep them between himself and the big, crazy man.
My friend, Cook, was trying to not get trampled or licked to death, while laughing as he and the dogs made the dry dust billow around them. His long hair was messy as always, and I could tell by his beard that he hadn’t been doing too well lately.
His battered army duffle was on the ground next to him, and he wore his usual attire of combat boots, jeans, and an old T-shirt. His army style jacket was being trampled by the dogs next to him.
“It’s okay,” I told Rey, who had noticed me. “That’s Cook.”
Rey relaxed a little but didn’t move. He sat down and kept the pen between himself and the madness on the driveway.
Cook pushed the dogs away with gentle hands and firm words, and got to his full six foot and five inches height. Then he shook himself like one of his furry friends, ran his fingers through his hair, and picked up his stuff.
He started toward us and beamed when he glanced up.
“Hey, Theo.” There were smudges on his face from the dust and the dogs.
I chuckled. “I would’ve picked you up from wherever if you’d told me you were coming today.”
We did the clasping hands, patting backs kind of man hug.
“Yeah, but you’re always busy so I thought I’d walk.” He didn’t say where he’d walked from, which was…very Cook-like.
“Cook, meet Rey, our newest team member.” I gestured at the hesitant-looking kid. “He’s your new neighbor upstairs.”
Cook smiled and read the situation in the way only an ex-soldier could.
He took a step closer, keeping the pen between the two of them, and smiled again. “Nice to meet you, Rey. I’m Jack, but most people call me Cook.”
Rey nodded. “Hi.”
“Now, who are these cuties?” Cook asked, placing his bag and jacket down as he knelt to meet the kittens. “They’re adorable.”
Rey’s wary expression turned to a cautiously relaxed one. “They really are. I’ve been fielding adoption requests now that they’re old enough.”
I looked at Rey. “Buddy? You good here?”
Cook pretended he didn’t hear me.
“Uh…yeah.” Rey smiled ever so slightly. “I’m okay.”
“Good. I’ll be over once I’ve ridden one more horse. What do you think we should do for dinner?” I asked him.
“Oh, I don’t have a plan yet because I don’t know what time the guys are coming back or if they’re eating in Chicago, but I’m open to ideas.”
“You trying to steal my job?” Cook rumbled, grinning a little.
Rey swallowed hard, blinked, and then blushed. “Uh, n-no, I’ve been cooking because I like it.”
“Well, that’s good. Why don’t we figure it out together?”
