Page 45 of The Bartender Special

Benny was relieved to see that Ms. Peggy didn’t seem to be going for her floral slippers at his sudden appearance.

“Boy, it’s been too long,” she drawled out, her accent still one of the most syrup-filled ones Benny had heard. “I just told your brother the other day that we were going to have to take a road trip if we ever wanted to see you again.”

She broke their embrace just as a fluffy face and wagging tail appeared at her side.

Benny freed his biscuit with a laugh and a kneel.

“Marzipan Junior, I don’t remember you being this big.”

The husky lapped at his face before turning his entire attention to the treat. Benny threaded his fingers into his fur while he munched.

Ms. Peggy dropped the smile she’d put on just for Benny. She eyed Jack coolly.

“I have to say, never thought I’d see you here, Mr. Knox. Last time you came to me, you were downright disrespectful.”

Benny popped up like a daisy in spring. He stared daggers at his fake date.

Jack No Biscuits Knox rolled his eyes.

“You’re getting your words mixed up there, ma’am. Cutting you off at the bar was responsible, not disrespectful,” he said. “It was also private. No one heard or saw me do it. I even had Santana drive you home afterwards.”

Ms. Peggy scoffed.

She fixed Benny with a look that clearly said Jack didn't know a damned thing.

“You'd think I drank an entire shelf the way this one is yammering on,” she mumbled. Then she elbowed Benny’s side. “Are you sure this is the fella you want to be attached to? You’ve always been sunny and he’s, well, kind of a grouch.”

Benny couldn’t help it.

He laughed.

“Even grouches need love, Ms. Peggy.” He cast a smile over his shoulder at said grouch. “Maybe even more so than us sun types.”

Marzipan Jr. stuck his nose into Benny's bag.

It reminded him why they were there in the first place.

He cleared his throat and gave one decisive nod.

“So, I know it's been a while and I should have called but I was wondering—we were wondering-”

Ms. Peggy held up her hand, two of her colorful bangles she always wore clinking at the sudden movement, and interrupted his attempt at groveling.

“You’re wondering if you could browse my craft stash because everyone in town already bought up decorations for the festival six months ago and you don't want to spend your entire life savings by going to Mobile to get ’em. ’Specially since you have a party and a parade float to cover.”

Benny actually cackled.

“You’re a hoot, Ms. Peggy,” he said. “A hoot who knows her gossip. We only agreed to all of that yesterday.”

She shrugged.

“Which was a day longer than Missy Robertson needed to yap her mouth off. Honestly, I thought you’d come yesterday, but I guess you probably needed to decompress after being in that overblown little garden.”

She turned on her heel and motioned them to follow her into the house. Jack moved Benny ahead of him as a wave of cold air and the smell of cinnamon hit them. A comical amount of plastic bins lining one living room wall could already be seen.

Jack lowered his lips to Benny’s ear again to whisper.

“See? Hoarder.”