Chapter 16

Reunion

Kacy stood in the bedroom of her San Francisco condo, reviewing the open suitcase on the bed. She had always lived life by her own rules, and that had gotten her where she was. The world of the executive chef was a male-dominated field, and she had clawed her way to the top of her game. At twenty-eight, she was a force to be reckoned with. The only one who seemed to truly understand the passion that drove her was Her twin brother Rick. She had introduced me to her best friend Gwen, who turned out to be my soul mate. KC mused the fact that she seemed to _know_we needed to meet.

She flipped open her phone and speed dialed Rick's number. On the third ring an unknown female answered the phone. "Coona residence."

"Uh, hello? Is Rick there? This is his sister KC..." she said trying to place the voice on the other end of the line. It wasn't Gwen...

"KC? Hey KC, It's me Kel, ya know, from Open Season..." KC blinked in recognition "Kelso? Kelso Vixxen? Hey girl, what the hell have you been up to?" She asked, smiling into the phone.

"Oh gods, it's good to hear from you! Rick's at work, but Gwen's here..." A moment later, Gwen's familiar voice reached her ear.

"KC? It's me, Gwen. So what time can we expect you, hon? Oh, you're not canceling, are you?" disappointment evident in her voice.

"Nope, I'll be at Sea-Tac around noon. Should I grab a cab or..."

"No, no, no, no! We'll be there to meet you! It's going to be so good to see you again! Everyone is looking forward to seeing you!" KC chuckled at Gwen's enthusiasm. "Gods KC, I've missed you..."

"Missed you too kiddo. So, what's up with Kelso?" KC asked, stretching out on her bed.

"Kelso? Oh Kel! We've been palling around together, She's great ya know?" Gwen exclaimed. "Oh yeah, I remember her...say, let Bruno know I'm on my way up. I want another run at that big ol' cuddly bear." KC chuckled seductively.

"KC!" Gwen squawked. "You're such a wench!" She giggled.

"So, What else is new?" KC joked. "Okay kiddo, See ya tomorrow..."

"Okay, see ya!" replied KC as she slipped her phone in her pocket. So, Kelso Vixxen is still in circulation...Her devious mind mulled over the possibilities...as a smile blossomed across her muzzle. She opened the drawer of her bedside table and surveyed her personal arsenal. This was promising to be fun.

Not too long from then, KC was stepping off the plane, her carry on slung over her shoulder, and decked out in a yellow sun dress with a purple sash...her brown and tan fur shining in the noon day sun. Pulling out a pair of sunglasses, KC made her way to baggage claim. Once she grabbed her suitcase, she turned to see Rick grinning at her, Gwen and Kel flanking him. Rick was decked out in his formal black chauffeurs uniform, his cap set at a jaunty angle.

"Oh no. You didn't bring the Rolls, did you?" KC asked.

"Hey, You know I only Take the Rolls out for 'Special Occasions.'" I drew her into a hug "And what's more special then my sister coming to town. Welcome back, Sis." I rumbled in her ear. Drawing back she regarded me, "Ya know, you are such a nut-bar, but I love ya Rick." KC grinned as I relieved her of her bag.

"Gwen! Good to see you gal" she called, hugging her best friend, then turning to Kel.

"Kel-so...don't you look great! " They hugged, both parted with a big smile.

As we headed to the parking area the girls chatted. "So, Gwen, Ya knocked up yet?" KC grinned wickedly.

"Well, not yet. . Not from lack of trying, though." Gwen chuckled, enjoying my discomfort.

"What's the matter Rick, is Max working you too hard?" She asked, laughter dripping from her words. "You're incorrigible," I chuckled shaking my head and putting her bags in the trunk of the 1965 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. As I opened the door for the girls, KC and Gwen piled in. Kel sat up front with me. What can I say, I love playing chauffeur. Any excuse to take the Rolls for a spin. "Home, James." KC called. "Yes, ma'am." I replied, giving a tap of my hat we were off. The conversation was lively and everyone was in high spirits when we arrived home.

Once KC was settled in and all of the catching up on all the gossip was out of the way I excused myself needing to get ready for work. A few minutes later KC drifted down the hall to my room. I was just coming out of the shower. "How's life treating you, sis?" I asked as I went about my preparations. "Life's...good, I just hope the kitchen is still standing when I get back" she chuckled. "Oh?" I asked, pulling on my slacks.

"Yeah, Eric got 'The Deep Fried Cajun King' to sub for me." KC groused.

"That Possum with the cooking show?" I asked.

"At's him, Dam But-nugget almost burned down my kitchen the last time he was there, Showing off his "Southern Flambé technique" using a quart of moonshine."

"You're joking!" I looked my sister in the eye.

She shook her head "I wish. If Kirk hadn't popped the Halon fire suppression system, that idiot would have burned the place to the ground! I mean who else do you know would "warm" a sealed quart of moonshine in the deep fryer?" she growled, throwing up her paws in exasperation.

"My God, was anyone hurt?" I was shocked at that level of stupidity.

"No, fortunately...good thing I was gone or I would have sent him back to Louisiana Filleted! It took me a week to get my kitchen back on line. The Fire Marshal tried to pin this on ME.But I was at Mom and Dad's...fortunately it worked out. Eric covered it by saying we needed an equipment upgrade." KC chuckled.

"So, any message for Bruno? He's off tomorrow ya know..." The predatory look in my sister's eyes caused me to snort. Incorrigible, I thought.

"Bru-no...mmmm, yeah. Tell that big hunky cuddle bear that I want another run at him." KC smacked her lips at the thought of the big ursine bouncer. "Like I said Sis, You are incorrigible." I smiled at my sister.

"Hey, he's cuddly and stuff!" She stuck her tongue out at me. "Oh, and let those two toaster nuggets, Bill and Ted know I'll be coming by on Saturday, around ten a.m. to inspect their progress and bounce a few ideas off them."

"They'll be thrilled, A personal visit from the Goddess of Grub, the Mistress of munchies." I said, KC playfully swatted at me.

? "Those boys have real talent, I don't mind giving them pointers, what I want to do is get them into the Culinary Institute of America Academy down in Napa, but they just don't have the discipline for it." KC honestly admired Max's boys, a source of inspiration and frustration for her. Reaching into her shoulder bag she tossed me a small bottle. "Give that to Bruno." KC grinned.

Looking at the label "Vitamin E?" I asked, A quizzical look crowned my face.

"Yeah," KC's eyes aglow. " He'll Need'em!"

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