Page 48 of Wag More Bark Less

“Those opposed say no,” the president said.

Luke pinched his lips, and I silently chuckled at his misery. There wasn’t a single no in the whole room.

“The ayes have it. The motion carries.”

After concluding there was no further business to come before the Post, the president made a motion to adjourn.

“Well, what did you think?” Walter asked, still sipping on his beer as veterans stood from their chairs.

“I’m already sad I won’t be here for the next meeting.”

“You could stay longer?” Walter suggested, pushing to his feet. I offered a discreet hand to help steady him and he winked his thanks.

“My sister’s having a baby, and I promised I’d be there.” I’d pushed things with booking a full month in town. As it was, I’d arrived in Lansing three days before she was due. But Violet reassured me that with both of her boys being a week late, my timeline would get me there ahead of schedule.

The older man who complained about his knee earlier approached. “Say, Maggie, was it?”

“Yes?”

“Does your offer still stand?”

To say I was surprised was an understatement. I loved helping veterans, especially the older generations. But from what little experience I had with them, I learned they were the most stubborn of all.

“It does.”

“I can meet you here, oh nine hundred hours tomorrow?”

I smiled, fighting to keep it from growing too large so it didn’t cause the man to retract his willingness to let me help him. “Let me give you my number⁠—”

He waved his hand in dismissal. “If you say you’re going to be here, I don’t need your number.”

“Consider it a date . . .”

“Phil. Phil Danby.” He nodded his appreciation and disappeared into the sea of veterans making their way to the dessert table.

Walter was staring, and when I met his eyes, there was a twinkle there. As though he knew something I didn’t.

EIGHTEEN

LUKE

Crisp autumn evening air greeted me the second I managed to escape the social hour that followed the monthly Legion meetings, and I inhaled it deeply. I showed up tonight knowing full well I’d end up on the float committee. But I wasn’t prepared for the ambush that left me in charge of the damn thing.

“It’ll be good for you,” Connor said, close on my heel. “You need something to do that doesn’t involve a badge.”

“I have plenty to do,” I argued.

“Binge-watching the entire Star Wars saga doesn’t count.”

Because that was on my agenda, I ignored his comment completely.

“You’re in charge too, asshole.”

“See you back here tomorrow.”

He flashed me a shit-eating grin before he headed down the block toward his car. Connor wasn’t put out at the outcome; he was excited. He liked this kind of small town shit. When I wasn’t on duty, I preferred to hibernate away from social settings. I’d been looking forward to skipping Golden Days for a change.

So much for that.