Covet Thy Neighbor by L. A. Witt

Author:L. A. Witt [Witt, L. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-10-07T16:00:00+00:00

At eight o’clock sharp on Monday morning, Darren knocked on my front door.

“Ready to go?” he asked when I opened it.

“Just about. Come on in.” As I shut the door behind him, I said, “Just throwing a few things into a backpack, and I need to feed the cat, and put on my boots. Then I’m ready to roll.”

“Speaking of which, will these work?” He pointed at his tennis shoes. “I don’t have hiking boots.”

“We’re not going to be on a terribly technical trail today,” I said. “As long as they’re comfortable for walking for a few hours.”

“They’re fine for that.”

“Then they should work. If you want to hit up some of the harder trails, I highly recommend coughing up some money for a solid pair of hiking boots.”

“Like those?” He nodded toward the pair sitting next to my coffee table.

“Exactly.” I sat on the couch and picked up one of the boots. “They’re worth the money, believe me.”

“I’m sure. A rolled ankle isn’t fun even on a flat trail.”

“Yeah, well”—I pulled on the boot—“you haven’t lived until you’ve half-carried someone down a mountain with a sprain.”

He wrinkled his nose. “I’ll pass.”

I laughed. “You’re not going to carry me down the mountain if I hurt myself?”

“Nope.” He gestured at my boots again. “So, lace those up good, and watch your step.”

“Hmph.” I pulled on my other boot. “See if I call Search and Rescue when you’re the one with a jacked-up foot.”

Darren rolled his eyes and huffed. “Jeez, Seth. I just said I wouldn’t carry you down the mountain. Not calling Search and Rescue?” Clicking his tongue, he shook his head. “That’s just cold.”

“Damn right.” I paused. “By the way, how’s that tattoo healing?”

He shifted a little like the tattoo was suddenly irritating him. “Still hurts a little. Starting to itch, though.”

“Yeah, that’ll happen.”

“It’s not bad. Definitely not as bad as the first night.”

“I would hope not.” I paused. “Oh, I almost forgot. I made some sandwiches and got a few bottles of water.” As I laced up my boot, I nodded toward the kitchen. “Would you mind grabbing them out of the fridge?”

“Sure.” He took a step, but paused. “Oh, hello.”

I turned my head, and laughed when I saw Stanley sitting in the middle of the hallway. “Hey. Move it, roadblock.”

“He’s okay.” Darren knelt, holding out his hand. “Hi, kitty.”

Stanley glared at him for a moment, but then came toward him. He sniffed Darren’s hand—audibly, thanks to his smooshed nose—and then bumped his head against Darren’s fingers.

“I think he likes you,” I said.

“He seems like a nice cat. I’m assuming his name isn’t really Roadblock?”

“No. Stanley.”

“Hi, Stanley.” Darren petted him, which instantly made him Stanley’s best friend in the universe. The cat walked in circles with his tail straight up, purring loudly. “You are friendly, aren’t you?”

“Until he earns your trust.” I started lacing up my other boot. “He’s lucky I don’t believe in declawing, I’ll tell you.”

“Yeah?” Darren laughed.

Stanley flopped over on his back, paws outstretched and belly exposed.

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