by Diana Orgain | Jun 14, 2021 | Roundup Crew, Sneak Peek, Uncategorized
From Trigger Yappy Chapter One “The wine is smooth, right?” the stubbled face in front me asked. At the moment, it was difficult to discern any qualities the wine might have to offer. In a few days, I would report for my very first bookkeeper/purser assignment with Soleado Mexican Riviera Cruise Line. Last night had been my going away party and, regrettably, I’d over indulged. But this morning my sister, Rachel, owner of the Wine and Bark—a wine bar that catered to dog owners and their beloved beasts—had confessed that she had also indulged a bit too much. She wasn’t even able to get out of bed. She’d begged me to meet Hendrick, the proprietor of Verdant Vines, and select a few varieties to feature at the Wine and Bark. I suppose the feeling of guilt at abandoning my sister and Pacific Cove in favor of the Mexican Riviera was too much to bear, so I’d agree to meet Hendrick and taste test. I tapped on the laminated sheet of prices that lay between the wine vendor and myself. “I can’t make any money at these prices.” Hendrick shrugged. “I can knock a dollar off for you.” I nearly gagged on the, admittedly getting smoother by the sip, Merlot. A dollar off would barely put a dent in the price. Hendrick ignored my expression and carried on with his sales pitch. “We specialize in green energy. Verdant Vines owns a wind turbine that harnesses the power of the unique air currents that run through the Central Valley.” “Someone would need to be made of green to fork over the...
by Diana Orgain | Jun 14, 2021 | Roundup Crew, Sneak Peek, Uncategorized
Did you miss Chapter One? Did you miss Chapter Two? Did you miss part one of Chapter Three? From Trigger Yappy Chapter Three Continued… Yolanda gave my wrist a firm shake. “I can see bringing you here was a mistake. You’re much more of a liability than I’d imagined.” She leaned in close to me and whispered, “Fran’s probably in the back. I don’t want her to overhear you dissing the merchandise.” “Why not? It may help your negotiating position. Let her know not everybody is crazy about chickens.” How could this stuff be popular? I’m not totally alone on this one, right? Was there an entire chicken fashion movement taking the country by storm and I was the only one not hip to it? It wouldn’t be the first time I was totally out of the loop. After all, there had to be enough of a clientele to keep a high-end store like this one in the black. “Is that a pot holder?” I pointed to a table that housed various chicken-theme items from pot holders to salt and pepper shakers. “Where are your handbags?” Yolanda stiffened. A thought suddenly struck me. “She’s not carrying your bags?” I whispered. Yolanda sniffed the air as if looking for a reason not to answer me. “Why isn’t she carrying your bags? They’re perfect for this place.” Yolanda nodded. “Thank you, Maggie. I know you love my designs. You’re a true friend.” Love her designs? That was a bit of stretch, but, still, I couldn’t imagine a store more apropos then this to feature them. Yolanda clacked over to the back...
by Diana Orgain | Jun 14, 2021 | Roundup Crew, Sneak Peek, Uncategorized
Did you miss Chapter One? Did you miss Chapter Two? From Trigger Yappy Chapter Three The following morning, Yolanda turned up at my apartment right on time. She drove a flashy red convertible and, as was her habit, she leaned on the horn until I came out. I rushed around my apartment ensuring all lights were off and all doors were locked, before racing downstairs to meet her. “Stop honking,” I said. “I’m here. You’re going to wake the neigh‐ borhood!” She let off the horn and glanced at her slim gold bracelet watch. “It’s nine a.m. The neighborhood should be up. What’s wrong with these people?” I laughed as I opened the passenger side. Beepo, who seemed permanently housed on the passenger-side seat, growled at me. “Beach town, I guess,” I said, ignoring Beepo, who barked madly at being upended. “Hush now, Beepo!” Yolanda scowled, scooping him onto her lap. “When I lived in New York, I was always up at the crack of dawn, but it seems like everyone in Pacific Cove sleeps in.” “Do you think it’s the sea air?” Yolanda asked. I shrugged. “Well, New York has sea air, right?” She wrinkled her delicate nose. “It’s not the same.” I laughed. She was right. New York City and Pacific Cove had zero in common. One of the reasons I’d recently relocated to Pacific Cove was to escape the never-ending hustle and bustle that pulsed through New York, especially when I was a financial advisor. Thinking of New York brought Gus to mind, and a little pang pricked my heart. I imagined him already settling into...
by Diana Orgain | Jun 14, 2021 | Roundup Crew, Sneak Peek, Uncategorized
Did you miss Chapter One? Did you miss part one of Chapter Two? From Trigger Yappy Chapter Two Continued… The woman self-consciously adjusted her cap. “That’s not the reason. He’s dated a lot of woman. It’s that Fran is so snobby.” Geraldine harrumphed and said, “She is not.” Yolanda snickered and said, “Birds of a feather.” Geraldine cut Yolanda a mean glare, while I turned back to the bar as quickly as I could. Max joined the table, sitting close to Brenda with a hand on her knee as they giggled together. Yolanda followed me back to the bar. “Rachel said not to worry about her. She’ll likely get released from the hospital in the morning. I’ll pick you up at nine o’clock and drive you.” As I didn’t have a car, riding with Yolanda was the best option for me. “What about that editor that’s supposed to show up? Am I supposed to do anything special?” Yolanda shook her head. “Oh, the woman called while Rachel and I were on the phone. She can’t make it tonight. She’ll probably come by tomorrow.” Well, that was a relief. I didn’t want to be responsible for the editor’s impression of the bar. I shuddered to think about a review on the slightly crispy Arf d’oeuvres. I could see the title now “Yappy Hour’s Bark Is Worse Than Its Bite!” Yolanda fiddled with a coaster on the bar. “So what about your trip? Are you really leaving us?” I wiped the counter and squinted at Yolanda. “You’ve known for a couple of weeks that I’m leaving. Don’t give me any static...
by Diana Orgain | Jun 14, 2021 | Roundup Crew, Sneak Peek, Uncategorized
Did you miss Chapter One? From Trigger Yappy Chapter Two “Salmonella?” I asked. “Nonsense!” Yolanda shrieked. She had such an indig‐ nant look on her face that I pulled the phone away from her before she could burst into flames. “She’s blaming her hangover on chicken? Ridiculous!” “Tell her I’m on my way,” I said to Nurse Joan. Nurse Joan grumbled something into the phone I couldn’t under‐ stand. Then there was a rustling sound and she said, “Hold on a minute.” “Maggie?” My sister’s voice filled the line. She sounded as if she had rocks in her mouth. “Rachel! How do you feel? What happened?” Next to me, Yolanda angled her head toward the phone again, straining to hear. “I kept throwing up and . . . uh . . .” She sighed and took a deep breath. “I’ll tell you later, okay? I’m so tired . . . sleepy. It must be the pain medicine they gave me.” “I’ll be right there.” “No, uh . . . Maggie, you have to do Yappy Hour. There’s a woman . . . oh . . . I can’t remember her name. She going to visit the bar tonight. You have to be open. She’s the editor of Doggie Day—” Yolanda let out a squeal. “Doggie Day!” “Who’s that?” Rachel asked. “Yolanda,” I said. “Hi, Yo,” Rachel said. “Let me talk to her.” “I’m not bartending while you’re in the hospital!” I said. “I’m coming to see you—” “I’m not dying, Maggie. You can check on me later. They’re just holding me to monitor—” “I’m on my way.” “No! Ugh...
by Diana Orgain | Jun 14, 2021 | Roundup Crew, Sneak Peek, Uncategorized
Did you miss part one of Chapter One? From Trigger Yappy Chapter One Continued… Yolanda and Fran craned to see what was happening between Gus and me, although for all I knew they were checking out his backside. I mean, that’s what I would have been doing if I had their vantage point. “Stop being such a nervous Nellie, Cornelia!” Fran screamed into her phone. Gus ignored them, leaning in closer toward me. “I missed you. I wanted to talk to you about something.” He freed my hand and ran his fingers through his dark thick hair. I poured him a glass of the Verdant Vines Merlot and watched him work his lower lip. Uh-oh. He’s nervous about something. Does he have bad news for me? My stomach clenched at the thought. “It’s about the restaurant.” He fixed his dark eyes on mine. “I think I need to keep it closed awhile . . . I need to . . . you know . . . figure things out.” I knew Gus had recently inherited one hundred percent of the restaurant from his partner and had some restructuring in mind, but I couldn’t guess what was causing him such distress at the moment. I pushed the glass of wine toward him, but he reached for my hand again instead of the glass. He laced his fingers through mine and said, “Maggie, I got an offer I want to discuss with you.” “That’s not even close to a fair price!” Fran shouted at Yolanda. Gus glanced over his shoulder at Yolanda and Fran’s table. Fran had hung up the phone...
