Page 210 of Banter & Blushes

“Thank you for making the trip down here, Mitch. I have to meet with a few others and I’ll be in touch, if that’s okay?”

“Of course. It’s my pleasure, really. Haven't been down this way in a long time.”

“Not much has changed I'm sure,” she laughed, leaning her face on her hand as she watched him. Very little ever changed in their small town.

“No, not much. But the views here sure are beautiful.” He watched her smile broaden.

“You should see the view from our patio.”

“The view right here is perfect.”

Was he flirting? Did she care if he was?

One thing was clear from this meeting: not only was Mitch the man for the job, this project may take on more than anyone ever expected.

CHAPTER 2

Glancing toward the large windows on the opposite side of the room, he eyed the coast. “Is there beach access back there?”

“Off the patio?” Elva asked.

“Yes. Or do I have to go down to the docks?”

“There’s a small path,” Joe piped in, “looking to take a stroll?”

“I promised Dozer I’d take him for a run. Let him retrieve in the water before we leave.”

“Dozer?” Elva and Joe both looked at one another.

“Oh, Doze is my dog.”

Elva’s face instantly scrunched in worry. “You didn’t leave him in the hot car, did you?”

“No, no,” he shook his head back and forth, “I’d never do that. At least not without the a/c blasting for him. He’s waiting for me outside in the shade,” he pointed out the front window.

“Wow, he’s that well behaved to just sit and wait?”

“Of course he is,” he smiled thinking she obviously didn’t know him very well… yet.

“You could have brought him in with you. Does he need water?”

“I have some for him, but thank you. I didn’t know how you’d feel about a dog in your restaurant and I didn’t want to just assume. He’s used to waiting for me. Don’t worry, I’m making it worth his while with a trip to the beach.”

“Dozer, like bulldozer?” Joe couldn’t help but ask.

“Exactly,” he took a last long drink of his coffee and smiled as he set the cup on the counter. “When I adopted him from a local rescue, he was six months old and full of energy. He would run into everything and anything head on. Nothing or no one was safe,” he laughed, remembering his rambunctious puppy. “The nameseemed fitting.”

“Well, now I have to meet him,” Elva’s worried face melted into a smile. “Is he friendly?” She started toward the door.

“Extremely.” Mitch followed her to the front to release Dozer from his stay. As the door swung open he called out, “Doze, heal.” In one swift motion his dog picked up his bumper and ran to Mitch’s side dropping it at his feet and finishing in a perfect sit. “That’s a good boy.” He rubbed the top of Dozer’s head.

“Elva, meet Dozer. Doze,” he looked down at his dog, “this nice lady is Elva.” He looked from the dog to her, “be extra nice to her, she may give us a job,” he winked letting her know he was joking… sort of.

She couldn’t help but giggle. “Hi Dozer,” the pitch of her voice went up as she spoke to him and offered her hand for him to smell. “What a pretty boy.” Within seconds Dozer scooted from his spot next to Mitch to closer to her for ear rubs. “Are you going to the beach? Yeah, you are.” She smiled, completely enamored with the dog.

Mitch watched her interaction and smiled. “Why don’t you have a dog? You obviously adore them, and he is quite smitten with you already.”

“Oh,” she glanced at him, catching his gaze. His deep eyes searched hers. “I’m just too busy, or that’s what I’ve always told myself. But I never miss an opportunity to love on someone else’s precious baby.”

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