Echo

netting that hung down over the opening. Looking up as he closed the Jeep door, Kane shouted to him from the mouth of the garage, his muscled arms standing out in relief, the sun glazing the sweat beaded on his skin.
    “What’s you up to Scotty?” His big sleepy brown eyes squinted into the cool shade of the garage.
    “What are you doing here, Kane? Shouldn’t you be down at the dock with your father?” Scotty felt annoyed, Kane always trying to suck up or butt in. Penny slipped out of the vehicle and pranced over to Kane where he squatted, rubbing the soft clean fur on her well-formed head.
    “Na, he’s having a meeting with Jose, so I have a few hours off. Thought I would offer my services if you wanted to take your little put-put out.” Kane smiled innocently.
    “I think I’ll pass … thanks anyway. Penny, let’s go, girl.” Hearing Penny whine, he saw Kane take a hard fast grip on her. Sizing up the situation, he remembered Kane weighed about fifty pounds more than him; all solid muscle. Uneasy, he tried for a light tone.
    “You mind letting go of my dog?”
    “Why don’t you come get her? Or you afraid to get your pretty boy golden curls mussed up?” Kane tensed his muscles, a hard light in his eyes. Knowing a fight was inevitable, Scotty came out from behind the vehicle, noting Echo climbing down from her seat. Oh, no.
    Before anyone could make another move, Barney bounded out of the vehicle, ran to Penny and lunged at Kane. Caught off guard, he fell flat on his butt, sprawling on the driveway. Penny and Barney danced back to the vehicle, jumping in as Echo climbed back up on her seat where they all settled down. With a laugh, Scotty got behind the wheel and started the Jeep. Feeling relieved, he edged out of the garage, giving a jaunty salute to Kane’s enraged face, and headed down the road. He’ll calm down soon enough , Scotty thought, trying to reassure himself. Too bad he’s such an ass . His life left no time or room for a boat bum like Kane. They shared nothing in common.
    Putting Kane out of his mind, he looked forward to the rest of the day. Several weeks ago, Scotty, Echo and Barney accidently discovered a path from the main road around the island to the water. They could see a tiny strip of beach that wound unimpeded, down a stretch of beach. It begged them to explore; but how to do it without outing Echo in public? Simple solution; a baby carriage . Not an ordinary carriage, of course. Forced to take Peter into his confidence in order to obtain the carriage, he altered the wheels for the sand. They just needed to be wider to ride above the sand instead of sinking in. So Peter, professional that he was, obtained just what he required without asking intrusive questions. What harm could he come to with a baby carriage, anyway?
    The unyielding mid-day sun enshrouded them with its relentless swelter. Scotty slipped on his sunglasses, removing the doctored carriage from the Jeep and placed a jug of water for the dogs in the storage compartment. Lifting the opaque netting, he boosted Echo into the carriage, pinning the netting to the top so Echo could see out.
    “What do you think, girl? Do you like it? It’s all yours.”
    “Is this an automobile, Brother Scotty? An automobile for me ?” The aura in Scotty’s mind swirled with golden fractals, almost blinding him.
    “Yes, it’s a very old style car; with no engine. It must be pushed and I’m happy to do it. Now we can play on the beach as long as we’re alone.” Echo ran her fragile leather hands over the inside lining of the carriage.
    “And what is the name of this automobile? Is it Jeep like yours?”
    “Nope; a different manufacturer. It’s called a Carriage. Modified. Just for you.”
    “Just for me …” The mind aura did not ask a question, sounding more like a statement of wonder. “I need you in my heart Brother Scotty.” Echo reached out to Scotty. He picked her up, swinging her around in his arms as the dogs danced at his heels.
    “Don’t worry Echo; I need you in my heart too.” Laughing, he deposited her back in the carriage. Mimi stood on her hind legs, straining to see inside.
    “You don’t want to miss a thing, do you girl?” Lifting Mimi, Scotty deposited her in the carriage with Echo.
    “Brother Scotty, I want My Barney to ride too.”
    “No Echo, that boy’s just too big. Mimi is perfect. She’s too little for the sand and she’s your camouflage in case someone comes poking around. You