Hello you naughty girls and boys!
This story is a prequel to Morning Puppy. I think chronologically there will be another story which takes place after this and before Morning Puppy; maybe more than one. I don't feel you have to read the two current stories in order and when I finally finish the series I'm not sure what order I will place them in. So if you have already read Morning Puppy you now know these events occurred first. If you haven't, you may decide for yourself the order you wish to read them.
As always, I hope you enjoy.
*****
"Look Jim, new neighbors."
Peggy Had spotted the moving van as they came down Oak St. on their way home. She was happy to see someone was moving in; the house had been empty for too long. As they passed she noticed two men carrying a couch up to the front door. There was also a man standing on the front porch, possibly one of the new owners but she didn't get a good look at him.
"Hmm. Yeah well someone was bound to buy it. I told you it was just a matter of time."
Jim seemed to have far less interest in the new neighbors. But then Jim didn't seem to have much interest in anything these days, except maybe his sports. He didn't bother to slow down either, just kept on going down the road. Well they were almost home, just a couple of turns, so maybe it didn't really matter.
"I'm rather anxious to meet them. Should we walk over tonight and introduce ourselves?"
"Give them some time Peggy. Jeez, they don't even have their furniture off the truck. I'm sure we'll meet them soon enough."
Well he wasn't all wrong. They probably did have their hands full moving in and Peggy didn't want to be a bother. Perhaps best to wait a couple days and then head over with some sort of housewarming gift; maybe a casserole and a new dish.
A few days had passed. It wasn't easy. Peggy was excited and fidgety, like a child waiting for Christmas morning. In the end she decided on a simple plate of cookies and the plate would make a nice serving piece. So on Wednesday morning after the kids were off to school and everything was settled, Peggy took her plate of cookies and headed to meet the new neighbors.
It was a short walk from one street over and she was soon at the door. She hoped the new owners were a couple the same age as Jim and herself but as she waited for someone to come to the door she realized it could be almost anyone.
"Hello. Can I help you?"
"Hi, I'm Peggy. Welcome to the neighborhood. We live just one street over on Hickory. I thought you might enjoy some homemade cookies."
"Oh, um, well how thoughtful of you. Please come inside."
Well she did look to be close in age but she was also stunning. Peggy was a bit starstruck when she answered the door and it took her a moment to explain why she was there. She hadn't known what to expect but she was surprised by what she saw.
Her hair was cut short, perhaps pulled back, and was blonde; well actually it was much more than that, it looked more like honey. She wore a red tube top which was a little immodest but then she had been home alone and not expecting company. Thus her midriff was bare showing she was more athletic than Peggy was, having a nice flat stomach, and below that she wore a pair of tight blue jeans. As she followed her inside she also noticed she was barefoot, with her toenails covered in a maroon polish.
Also upon following her inside she could see that her hair wasn't pulled back, but rather cut very close to the neck. It was almost a boyish haircut. But it was just as clear to Peggy that this was no boy; this was definitely a woman.
"Sorry about the house; we're still getting moved in. Why don't you set the cookies down on the kitchen counter. Here, let's have a seat in here. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Oh coffee or tea would be fine. Thank you."
"Coffee it is. I'll be right there. Make yourself comfortable."
Peggy sat down on one end of the couch. She recognized it as the one the movers were carrying when they drove past the other day. Then she found herself staring at her shoes, thinking about how long it had been since she had her own nails polished.
"I'll go ahead and apologize for the coffee now. I haven't had a chance to go shopping for some good coffee, but believe me it's on my list. Here you go."
"Oh I'm sure it's fine. Thank you."
Peggy took the cup of coffee as her host sat down on the other end of the couch, one bare foot resting on the edge of the coffee table. They both sipped silently for a moment.
"Pardon my manners, I'm Julia and my husband is Dan. So I guess that makes us Dan and Julia, your new neighbors."
"Well I'm Peggy and my husband's name is Jim. We have two children, Brian and Samantha, eight and five. I'm just so happy to meet you. I'd be happy to help you with anything you need."
"Well I must say I wasn't expecting the welcome wagon so your stopping by is a pleasant surprise. I suppose for starters you can tell me something about the rest of the neighborhood."
"Well I'd say you're actually in a pretty good spot. Mr. Loman on the other side is single and always away on business trips. He's nice enough but you'll hardly ever see him. On this side of you is Mrs. Murphy. She's in her late sixties, maybe early seventies. Her husband died a few years back from heart disease. She's very active in the community and tends a small garden in her backyard."
"That sounds fine. I just didn't want to be next to some busybody."
"Oh no, that would be Gertrude, and she's one street over from me, two streets over from you."
They both exchanged a little laugh over that. They spent the next few minutes discussing some of the other neighbors. Peggy noticed there was something else besides Julia's good looks; it was her voice. It was just so warm and soft. She could probably melt butter just by talking to it.
"I think I'll grab us some of those cookies. I'll be right back."
As she walked toward the kitchen Peggy also noticed how well she fit into her tight jeans. She didn't normally pay such close attention to her neighbors but Julia was so much more than she expected.
She soon returned with a small handful of cookies and handed two of them to Peggy, keeping two for herself. Peggy noted that while they were not hot, they were still a little bit warm and though she brought them for Julia she was happy she was able to enjoy one before they went cold. Hopefully Julia would enjoy them as well.
"Mmm. That is a good cookie. Homemade you say?"
"Oh yes, I made them just before heading over here. I hope you like them. It's just a small assortment. My way of saying hello."
"Well hello Peggy. You may have to stop by to say hi more often. Just not too often or I'll ruin my figure."
'Well we can't have that' Peggy thought. Then she found herself surprised at what she was thinking. She decided to focus on her cookies for a moment before she said something foolish.
She was glad that Julia was enjoying her efforts. She watched as she had another bite, some of the melted chocolate getting on her lip. But it wasn't there long as Julia used her tongue to wipe the chocolate from her lip and pull it into her mouth. Peggy was mesmerized.
Peggy took a sip of her coffee trying to pull herself together. Sure Julia was an attractive woman, but it was like Julia had her under some kind of spell. Peggy wasn't the type to stare, and she was wondering why this woman had her so entranced.
Julia looked at her and smiled but said nothing as she ate her second cookie. Peggy was watching her mouth but then made a conscious effort to avert her eyes.
