Page 69 of Courting Danger

Chapter 19

Pope

“They’re saying we’ve got two hours before the storm hits landfall,” Danger said when they reached the den with the dogs. “It’s enough of a window for me to take the SUV to the grocery store to stock up, because we don’t have shit in the fridge.”

Pope glanced around and saw that he’d emptied the linen closet so he could make a nest on the floor for the dogs, right in front of the hearth where the fire could dry them.

“Fuck,” Pope said, “I forgot we put off getting groceries because of the road trip. Yeah, you’d better go in case we wind up getting cut off from town for a few days.”

“Can I go with you?” Roan blurted. “It’ll make it faster. I can write our list on the ride down, and we can grab two carts and each take half.”

“Yeah, go get dressed; that sounds like a great idea.”

As Roan hurried away, Danger turned to look at Ocean. “Is there anything you’d like us to grab for you?”

“Just fruit please,” Ocean replied. “Bananas, kiwis, grapes, and strawberries if they have them. Sometimes I prefer asmoothie instead of a big meal and will just have a sandwich or something to go with it.”

“What kind of sandwich?” Danger asked.

“Turkey, roast beef, or chicken, please. I’m not a big fan of ham or pork at all, for that matter, unless it’s ribs; then I’ll murder the fuck out of them.”

“How about stuff to add to it?” Danger inquired. “Mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, any of that?”

“All of it, if it’s not going to slow you guys down.”

“Kid, if we lose power, sandwiches are going to be all any of us have to eat,” Pope pointed out. “So best that they grab everything we need for them.”

“What about snacks?” Danger asked only to have Ocean shrug in response.

“I’m not really picky,” Ocean replied. “Whatever you and Roan snag will be just fine.”

“Sounds good. I’ll grab a couple cases of bottled water too.”

“Good idea,” Pope said.

“How will we feed the dogs if we can’t cook?” Ocean asked.

Pope rubbed his chin, eyeing them and Ocean thoughtfully before addressing Danger.

“Stock us up on beef and chicken; grab a few bags of ice too. We can pack it all in the deep freezer, and it should keep just fine,” Pope said. “While you guys make the food run, Ocean and I will carry the small grill down from the deck and tuck it under the house and tarp it, so we’ll have a way to cook. Still want you to stock up on the sandwich fixings, though, in case this shit lingers. Make sure you get the meat from the deli. Beef chunks would be perfect for the pups and grab some aluminum roasting pans so we can make their food in them.”

While Pope spoke, Danger carefully jotted down every instruction and was just tucking the pen through the metal spiral when Roan came hurrying back into the room.

“I’m all set,” he announced.

“Then let’s get rolling,” Danger said.

“You be careful out there and get back here in one piece,” Pope said as they hurried from the den.

“Yes sir!” Twin voices replied.

“Alright, let’s get that grill moved and tarped before the rain comes. I’ve got some buckets out there we can fill with those patio bricks I keep meaning to turn into a walkway. We’ll tie ‘em to the legs of the grill to keep it weighted down.”

“Yes sir,” Ocean replied, giving the dogs one last, soothing pet before standing.

They whined, instantly leaping to their feet to follow them.

“No, no,” Ocean cooed, petting them again. “It’s okay. We’ll be right back, I promise.”