Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained Read online

  “Good. I know exactly what I want, brown and vanilla. Not dark brown, but darker than tan.”

  How drab. Not that she’d tell Mark that. So much for making suggestions or guiding him. So be it, she promised Ed she’d let them make their own decisions. Besides it was his room and upstairs, so she wouldn’t have to look at it often. “Great, we’ll have to bring some color charts home next time. How about you, Stanley, do you know what you want?”

  “Yeah, I want blue walls, not light blue, medium, and navy bed spread. Can I have a rug?”

  “Sure,” Bea said.

  “I saw one in a catalog when we live with Uncle Otto. It was blue and burgundy. That’s what the description said anyway.”

  “Okay, I guess you boys know what you want. Anyone hungry?” Bea had to busy herself. Neither boy chose anything she liked. How drab both rooms sounded. Something like Mavis would pick. She pulled lunchmeat and lettuce from the refrigerator, sliced a tomato, and set everything on the counter. “Lunch is ready.” Bea fixed Ed’s and set it in front of him.

  “Aren’t you eating?”

  “I’m not real hungry. I think I’ll make a pie.” Bea opened the cabinet and took out a can of pie filling. “Peach?”

  “My favorite and no one better touch it before me.” Ed laughed and looked between Stanley and Mark.

  “Promise,” Mark said.

  Ed ate the last of his sandwich. “I’m going to start framing the walls, anyone want to help?”

  Both boys carried their dishes to the dishwasher and followed Ed upstairs. Bea smiled. It was great having a family.

  After church Sunday, Bea put the pork roast in the oven. How was her family going to react to the boys? At least the rumors had died down. She hadn’t heard any more about how foolish she and Ed were, and things had calmed down at school. At least, she hadn’t heard anything more.

  “What’s your family like?” Mark came in the kitchen and sat at the counter.

  “Hmm. Great question. What would you like to know?”

  “Do you have brothers and sisters?”

  “I have a brother and three sisters. I’m sure they’ll all be here. I’ll introduce you to all of them.

  “What are they like?”

  “You have to see them to believe them.” Beatrice Lulu laughed. “Some would call us loud and obnoxious. In fact, some have. If you want to be heard you need to shout, we’re loud. Very loud. We like to play jokes on each other. Our meals are crazy and fun.”

  “It must be fun to belong to a big family.”

  “It is, and they’re your family now, too.” Beatrice Lulu reached across the counter and ruffled Mark’s hair. Time to talk him into getting a haircut.

  “I can’t wait to meet them.”

  “Oh, I didn’t mention my mother. She’s a retired judge married to the ex-police chief. Actually, he’s temporary police chief now until Callie returns.”

  “Is Uncle Otto coming?”

  “He said he was.”

  The bell rang, and Bea hurried to answer it.

  Jess and Jim Landry followed her in. “So where are these two boys I’ve heard so much about?” Jim’s booming voice carried throughout the house. Jim topped them all in the loudness category. The man didn’t know how to speak quietly.

  “Come in, I’ll introduce you. Stanley, Mark, this is my mother, Jessica, and her husband, Jim Landry. Mama, Jim this is Stanley and Mark.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Mark shook hands with Jim. He seemed a little taken aback when Jess hugged him, but that’s how Jess welcomed everyone.

  Stanley shook hands with Jim and stood stiffly while Jess hugged him, too. These boys needed reminders on affection. Surely, their parents and grandmother were affectionate. The way they talked about them, she couldn’t imagine they weren’t. They’d better get used to it.

  Lillian seemed most impressed with the boys, especially when Mark said dinner reminded him of Sunday dinners back home when their parents invited the pastor and families from the church. “Although they weren’t quite as loud.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Tommy, Lottie’s grandson, clung to Mark like glue. Obviously, he liked having an older cousin. Melissa, Lottie’s granddaughter, swooned over him. Although Bea thought ten years old was a bit young to be thinking about boys. Kids today grew up too fast. Looked like Susan, Tommy’s mother, was expecting again. Strange Lottie hadn’t said anything. Might be they didn’t want to take the limelight from Callie.

  Beatrice Lulu told everyone the story about Phineas J. Culpepper the Third. “He threatened to call the police. I’d never seen anyone so ornery or rude.”

  “What did you want him to do, send you flowers?” Lottie said.

  Like everyone, Lottie had a sense of humor, but usually Ethel or Bea came up with the laugh line. Bea sat back, laughed, and looked at her family. Even Clyde and Clare showed up. More than likely out of curiosity, but no matter. It was good to have the family together again. Jess beamed with pride. Thank goodness Uncle Otto came, too and joined in the banter, even joked with Mark and Stanley. All things considered, dinner went well.

  The boys were on their best behavior, not that they usually misbehaved. But Bea wasn’t foolish enough to think they’d always be that way. As time passed and the more they got used to living there, conflicts would arise, especially with Mark. There’d be some rough times ahead. Teens could be troublesome. These boys had a good upbringing up to now. Hopefully, strong enough to prevent serious problems down the road.

  Mark seemed especially taken with Jim and Callie, asking questions about their job. Poor Callie looked exhausted.

  “Why don’t you lay down for a while, Callie” Bea suggested after dinner. “You can go in my room.”

  “I hate to eat and run, but I think I’ll just go home. Thank you for doing this, Aunt Beatrice Lulu. I enjoyed it and look at Gram, she’s in seventh heaven.”

  “She loves having her family around her. I’m glad you suggested it. You’re coming for Thanksgiving dinner, aren’t you?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.” Callie hugged Beatrice Lulu. “Give everyone my love and say my good-byes. I don’t have the energy to make the rounds.”

  “You get some rest, young lady. You probably shouldn’t have come, but I’m glad you did. I hope it didn’t tire you out too much. Would you like me to drop off some leftovers tomorrow?”

  “That would be great. Thanks again.”

  “William, you take good care her, now.”

  “You betcha, Aunt Beatrice Lulu.” William planted a kiss on Beatrice Lulu’s cheek. “Tell everyone goodbye for me, too. If I make the rounds, it’ll be another hour before we get out of here.”

  “Go ahead, I’ll tell everyone.” Beatrice Lulu closed the door behind them. Callie didn’t look good, too pale, dark circles under her eyes and it looked like she lost weight. The girl needed more rest. She sent up a quick prayer that all would be well with Callie and the baby.

  Chapter 14

  “Beatrice Lulu, I’m so glad you’re here. I have a problem.” Ethel barely let Beatrice Lulu in the door.

  “Of course, I’m here. It’s Monday. We always come to the shelter on Mondays.” Beatrice Lulu squeezed past Ethel, stored her purse in a cabinet, looked at Louise, and rolled her eyes. Sometimes Ethel was overly dramatic.

  “I’m serious, can you stand still a minute?”

  Beatrice Lulu stopped in front of Ethel. “Okay, what is it?”

  Ethel took a deep breath and let it out in a big whoosh. “Louise said we’ve got five dogs coming in today. That means Bruno has to go.”

  “What if Bruno wasn’t adopted? What would Louise do with him then?” Didn’t matter that Louise heard the conversation. It involved her, and it was true. What if Ethel wasn’t taking Bruno? Where would they put the other dogs?

  Louise stood. “I would only have taken four of them, but since Ethel wants Bruno, well…” Louise spread her hands and shrugged. “I have to think of the other dogs.”


  Great way to start a week. “You said I didn’t have to take him until later in the week.”

  “I’m sorry, Beatrice Lulu, but you promised you’d help. It’s only a few days longer. I’ll pick him up first thing Saturday morning.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine.” Ed came in just in time to hear Louise explain the problem. “I’ll be there to help, and the boys are there. It won’t be so bad.”

  “Easy for you to say. You don’t have to clean up the dog hair.” This wasn’t fair. Three dogs? How were they going to handle three dogs?

  “I promise I’ll help you, honey pot. Don’t worry, Ethel, we’ll take Bruno home with us later.”

  “What do you need me to do?” Beatrice Lulu turned her attention to Louise. Nothing about this situation made her happy. Four extra days with that dog. She didn’t like big dogs, never had. Didn’t matter if Ed was there or not. Big dogs scared her.

  “How about you feed the dogs?” Louise smiled. “Then come back, I have some paper work to file.”

  Good, she needed to get away from everyone. Needed some time alone. The first dog she came to was Bruno. “Shoot. I forgot you were in the first pen.” She scooped the food and poured it in his dish. Bruno barked at her. That’s what she needed, a dog that talked back. “You’d better mind your p’s and q’s, buddy.”

  Once Bea finished feeding the dogs, she headed back to the office.

  “I’m really sorry about this, Beatrice Lulu, but I couldn’t refuse these dogs. I know you’re not crazy about taking Bruno. I don’t understand why Ethel can’t just take the dog home now.”

  “I don’t either. Something about it being a surprise for Greg’s birthday. Birthdays at our age, like it’s a big deal or something.”

  Louise laughed. “I guess to some people it is.”

  “There’s not much I can do about it. I did promise. Maybe it won’t be so bad.” Who was she kidding, of course it was going to be bad. Nothing about it even sounded good.

  Filing took up the rest of her day and gave her little time to think. Three o’clock came quicker than she realized.

  Ed came up behind her, put his arms around her, and nuzzled her neck. “Ready to pack it in?”

  “Three o’clock already?” Bea glanced at the clock. “As soon as I file these last couple of folders.”

  “I’ll get Bruno ready while you do that.”

  Bruno! She’d completely forgotten about him. Worse yet, she had to ride home with him. Ed put the dog in the back seat, closed the door, and held the passenger door for Bea. She slid in the car, and next thing she knew, Bruno jumped in the front seat, on her lap, and with one swipe of the tongue licked her face from top to bottom. “Yuck, get out!” She pushed him to the back seat.

  Ed slid into the driver’s side. “What’s wrong?”

  “Darn dog jumped in my lap and licked my face.” Bea grabbed a tissue and wiped the slobber off her face.

  Ed laughed.

  “It’s not funny. You know how I feel about dogs licking me, especially my face. And his breath stinks. Matter of fact, he stinks.” Nothing worse than wet dog smell. Why was he wet, it wasn’t raining? He smelled up the whole car. That odor wasn’t going away any time soon. This was by far the worst idea she’d ever agreed to. No way was it going to work.

  “Sorry, honey pot, but he’s not going to hurt you. Bruno’s gentle. Just give him a chance, it’s only four days.”

  “Four days, four days of stinky dog living in our house. I hope he’s house-broken. Ethel said he is.”

  “That’s what the previous family said, and I’ve never seen anything in his pen, so I’m pretty sure he is.”

  “He’d better be. You know that’s the one thing I won’t put up with. I’ve never had to before, and I’m not about to start.”

  Bruno pawed Bea’s shoulder, panting and sniffing her ear. “Good grief, get down.” They couldn’t get home quick enough.

  Ed pulled in the drive, put the car in park, and Bea flew out of the car, leaving Ed to deal with Bruno. She wanted nothing to do with him.

  Bruno obviously had other plans. He sprang from the car, followed her into the house and jumped up on her, his paws landing on her shoulders. Bea almost fell from the unexpected weight. “Ugh. Get down.” What was wrong with this dog? Why was he picking on her? She pushed the dog off, took off her coat, kicked off her shoes, and headed for the kitchen. Bruno followed like a little puppy, whining and barking.

  “Ed, do something with that animal before I throw him outside.”

  “He just wants some attention. For heaven sake, Bea, give the dog a break.” Ed filled the water dish. “Come on, Bruno. Let’s give this woman some peace before she throws us both out.”

  Bruno whined, but followed Ed. Champ and Bixby ran into the room. After much sniffing, they went to their beds and laid down. It wasn’t long before Bruno stood at the door of the kitchen, whining. Obviously, the dog wanted her attention. Bea ignored him.

  The boys came home and Bruno’s attention immediately turned to them.

  “Wow, is he ours?” Mark played with the dog.

  “No, so don’t get used to him. We’re just keeping him for a few days for Aunt Ethel.” Bea shook her head. Dumbest thing she ever did was agree to take care of the dog. Beautiful though he was, his size alone scared the bejesus out of her. Her fear must’ve come from years ago, when a neighbor’s Rottweiler attacked her. Not that he viciously attacked her. He just wanted to play, But how was she supposed to know that, she was only six and a little bitty thing. Knocked her down, licked her face, and she couldn’t get away from him. The more she screamed the more he licked. Bea shuddered at the thought, still so vivid in her mind.

  “Hey boy, come on, let’s go for a walk.” Stanley picked up his leash. “It is okay to take him for a walk, isn’t it?”

  “Sure, go ahead, just don’t be gone long, homework, remember,” Ed said.

  “I’m coming, too.” Mark tossed his back pack in the corner.

  “Take Champ and Bixby, too. They need to go out.” Bea looked up from peeling potatoes.

  Ed came in the kitchen after the boys left. “See, with the boys and me to help it won’t be so bad. You won’t even know he’s here.”

  “Just keep him away from me, and I’ll be fine.”

  “I don’t understand you. You’re fine with Champ, you’re fine with the dogs at the shelter. What do you have against Bruno?”

  “He’s big.”

  “So are some of the dogs in the kennel, you don’t mind them.”

  “They don’t live in my house. I don’t have to deal with them on a daily basis.”

  “So what? You’re afraid of Bruno? He’s never done anything to make you feel that way.”

  Bea sat down. “I don’t know, Ed. Maybe it’s Ethel. I feel she took advantage of me. I only agreed to take him because she manipulated me, and it was only supposed to be for a day or two at the most.”

  “So it’s Ethel you’re mad at not Bruno.”

  “That and I’m afraid of big dogs.”

  “Why?” Ed pulled Bea into his arms and hugged her.

  “Because of a long time ago.” Bea told him the story of the Rottweiler.

  “Why didn’t you say so to begin with? You do understand Bruno wasn’t attacking you, though, right? And you know Bruno doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. He just wants attention.”

  “Yes, I know that. But it didn’t help when he jumped from the back seat into my lap. Besides, he licked my face. You know how I feel about that.”

  Ed laughed. “Just showing you affection. You need to take control. Show him who’s boss, that’s all.”

  “Easy for you to say. Go on now, I have to finish dinner or we won’t eat tonight.”

  The boys came back with the dogs, let them off their leashes and went to do their homework. Ed picked up the newspaper, and Bea ran to answer the phone. Ethel, of course, who else?

  “I can’t talk now, I’ll call you after dinner.” Bea hung up b
efore Ethel could say anything. Only reason she called was to see how Bruno was doing. If she was that worried about the dog, she should have taken him to her house.

  Bea set the phone in the handset and came back to the kitchen. “BRUNO! NO!”

  Ed jumped up. “What happened?”

  “He…he…” Bea pointed at the dog crouching under the table. “He took our steak right off the counter.”

  “Guess we’ll be eating burgers for dinner.” Ed couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Damnit, Ed, it’s not funny.” Bea threw the towel on to the counter. “You finish dinner. I’m done. That dog has to go.”

  Ed came into the kitchen, picked up the remnants of steak that Bruno dropped when Bea screamed and threw it in the trash. “Now, honey pot. We’ll have to be more careful not to let food lie around.”

  “Lie around! Lie around! It was on the counter where it belonged for heaven sake. That’s not lying around. I can’t live like this, Ed. It’s either him or me.”

  Ed led Bea to the couch. “You sit here and relax. I’ll fry up the burgers”

  “That’s not going to change how I feel.” Bea glared at the dog who came toward her, ears back and tail between his legs.”

  “Look, he wants to make up with you.” Ed patted the dog’s head.

  “I’ll make up with him all right. Right out in the shed as far as I’m concerned.”

  “I’ve never known you to be so heartless.”

  “Heartless! The dog stole our dinner. What do you expect? Should I give him a treat? Or maybe you want me to throw him a party?”

  “Calm down.”

  “Calm down!” Bea stood and glared at Ed. “You want me to calm down? The dog’s been nothing but trouble since he got in the car, and you want ME to calm down!”

  “Beatrice Lulu Eberhardt, stop it right now. What in the world is wrong with you? You’re the one who agreed to take the dog. Now you’re taking it out on him and me. That’s enough.” Ed stood and glared right back at her. “The dog didn’t do anything wrong, so he jumped in the front seat and licked your face. That’s what dogs do, they lick. Okay, he stole the steak off the sink. He just needs trained. That’s something Ethel and Greg will have to work on themselves. It won’t be our problem. In the meantime, we’ll make sure we keep our food in the refrigerator or to the back of the counter. It’s only a couple more days.”