"We smell like stale booze. I don't want a bad review," Allie warned. "It's probably some officer needing to go somewhere. The last thing I need is to lose this gig."
After presenting their IDs at the front gate, Allie drove slowly to the pickup location indicated by the blue dot on the map. They stopped in front of the barracks.
"Oh my goodness," Stacy said, sitting upright in her seat. "It's Carter Holbrook."
"Hi," Stacy said as they pulled up in front of him. He had a cardboard box in his hand. Allie tapped the rideshare app.
"You want to go to New York City?" she screeched. "I have to bartend tonight. I am not driving to New York City!"
"Look here," Carter said, opening the door and climbing into the back seat of her car.
Something in the box was moving.
"Is that a rat? What is that?" Allie demanded, turning around in her seat.
"Relax," Carter told her. "This is Maggot."
"You brought maggots into my car? Get out. Now. And cancel this ride."
"Please?" Carter said. "I just need you to babysit my dog until I can work something out. We aren't allowed to have pets in the barracks."
"I'm not driving your dog to New York," she said.
"Then put in whatever destination you want. I just need you to hold the dog for me for a couple of days. Here," he said, handing her a wad of cash. "This should cover food, vet, grooming, whatever you need. If you spend more, here is my contact info," he said then took her phone and typed in his information.
Allie raised an eyebrow.
"Just look after her, okay? Please?" Carter asked.
"Fine," Allie said. "Only for a few days."
Stacy took the box from Carter, batting her eyelashes at him. Allie hit her friend lightly on the leg as Carter scooted out of the back seat. He gave Allie a thumbs-up as she drove away.
Allie took a look at the dog and said, "That is the most pathetic animal I have ever seen."
"I think she's a Chihuahua mix," Stacy said.
Allie changed the destination to a veterinary clinic across town. After calling to see if they would take a walk-in, she and Stacy drove over.
She received a text from Carter while they sat in the waiting room.
Everything okay?
Allie wrote back,
I'm changing her name. How does Margot sound?
Carter replied,
Perfect!
"This dog is just hungry and dirty," the vet said after looking Margot over. He pulled two ticks from behind her ear and gave Allie some flea medicine.
"Let's go shopping!" Stacy said, holding up the little dog.
At the store, they filled up the cart with toys, treats, and grooming items. Stacy also found several little outfits for the dog that Allie thought were too expensive.
"We are not wasting Carter's money on those," Allie said with a frown as Stacy presented the pink sparkly dresses she had selected.
