Listen to Your Heart - Fern Michaels [5]
It was after the noon hour when Josie parked the van outside Franky and Johnny’s on Arabella Street. She cracked the window and locked the doors while she went inside to order Kitty’s favorite po’boy. She ordered two of the hefty sandwiches made with local French bread filled with roast beef, fried shrimp, oysters, ham, or meatballs, with cheese, and gravy or tomato sauce. She told them to “dress” it, which meant they would add lettuce, mayonnaise, and mustard with a slice of tomato. She knew they would butter the bread and heat it just the way she and her sister liked it.
She heard Rosie yapping and clawing at the window the minute she closed the door of the restaurant. She ran to the car and unlocked it. Normally the little dog would try to pry open the bag and sniff out the contents. Right now all she wanted was to get out of the Ford Explorer.
She saw it then as her gaze swept the street. Down the block, the sleek, expensive Mercedes was parked at the curb. In the blink of an eye, Rosie leaped over Josie’s lap and jumped to the ground. She sprinted down the street, Josie in pursuit.
Josie watched in amazement as the little dog tried to scale the car door. On one of her jumps, Josie reached out and grabbed her in midair. In doing so she could see the interior of the car clearly. It was ripped to shreds, the fine leather hanging in strips, the rearview mirror half off its track. There was no sign of the owner or his dog. Obviously, Rosie was picking up the boxer’s scent.
He came out of nowhere, the big dog dragging him forward. With one mighty lunge, the boxer tore loose of the giant’s grip on his leash. He bounded over to the curb to where Josie was standing with Rosie, skidded to a stop, sat up on his hind legs, and whined for Josie to set the little dog down. Before Josie could make up her mind, Rosie wiggled free and leaped to the ground, where the boxer nuzzled and playfully prodded her with one of his big paws.
The giant cleared his throat. “It would seem we have a bit of a problem.”
Kitty was right. He is definitely a hunk. “I’d certainly second that,” Josie said, pointing to the inside of the elegant car. “When did he do that?”
“He did the backseat on the way from your place and the front when I tried to take him to that dog school down the block. He almost chewed off the steering wheel,” the giant said in disgust. “He wants something. I don’t know what the something is. Did you get your dog’s toy fixed?”
“Yes, but she doesn’t want it. She wouldn’t even touch it. Ah . . . the reason I’m standing here is she must have picked up . . . his scent. That’s the only thing I can figure out. I was in Franky and Johnny’s to pick up some po’boys, and she was going wild. I came to see what it was she wanted. I guess it’s your dog. I have to go now. Can you put your dog in your car so we can leave?”
“I’ll try. He’s not going to like it,” the giant said. “Maybe you should leave first.”
“He’ll follow us. You go first. If the doors are closed, he can’t get out. Can he?” Josie asked tartly.
“He’ll probably go through the damn window. Is that fur ball in heat?” the giant asked suspiciously.
“No, the fur ball is not in heat. She’s spayed. I resent you calling her a fur ball. She has a name, and it’s Rosalie—Rosie for short. What about yours?”
“He’s fixed, too. Maybe they like the way the other smells. Yours smells like coconut. I can’t believe my dog likes that prissy smell.”
“Well your dog smells like a wet wool sweater a cat peed on. I can’t believe my dog would be attracted to such a smell.”
“Enough!” the giant roared. “Get in the car, Zip. Don’t make me pick you up again.” Zip continued to nuzzle Rosie. Josie watched in amusement.
“Pick yours up at the same time,” the giant ordered in an authoritative voice.
Josie bristled, but did as instructed.
“Now run like hell!” the giant roared.
Josie ran,