Page 31 of Will Bark for Pizza (Bluebell Springs #1)

TWENTY-TWO

HUSKER

“Your mom is home.”

Mom is home?

Opal, you give the best pets.

You also taste good.

Lick, lick, lick.

“You should go to her. She needs you.”

Is she okay?

“I think she’s confused.”

Oh, I get it.

Mom needs to give me booty scratches.

That’ll make her feel better.

“Yes, Bubbies. It will.”

Lick, lick, lick.

Opal giggles are my favorite.

“C’mon, Husker.”

Uncle Connor.

Does Uncle Connor have treats?

“In his left pocket.”

Opal you’re the best.

It’s why I let you give me hugs.

Oh! Uncle Connor has the leash.

Are we going on a walk?

Click.

“Good boy, Husker.”

Left pocket.

Treats.

I need one.

Please, now.

“Calm down, bud.”

Uncle Connor has a good laugh.

He has better treats.

Chomp, chomp, chomp.

“Let’s go.”

It’s dark outside.

Way past my bedtime.

Smells like funny walking birds.

Sniff, sniff, sniff.

Uncle Connor doesn’t like it when I chase his funny walking birds.

It’s really dark.

It’s past Mom’s bedtime too.

Where is Mom?

Oh, there she is.

Wag, wag, wag.

She’s with my new best friend.

She’s not mad at him anymore.

But she’s not happy either .

Hmm.

“Thanks for watching him.”

Mom!

New Best Friend!

Mom!

New Best Friend!

Mom!

New Best Friend!

“Guess we know who he missed more.”

Mom has jokes.

I always miss Mom more.

“Hey, Beckett, you have a minute?”

Uncle Connor wants to give my new best friend treats?

“Yep.”

“We better get to bed, huh, Bubbies?”

Bed, yes.

Unless New Best Friend has treats.

We should see if he has treats.

“Red?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t worry.”

“About what?”

New Best Friend is getting really close to Mom.

Maybe I should step between their legs.

Remind them I’m here.

I’ll wedge them apart so I can fit.

I think they forgot I’m here.

Right here.

That’s the perfect spot.

“I’ll keep your secret.”

Mom?

New Best Friend is walking away.

Mom, why are you frozen?

Mom?

“Let’s go get you a treat, Bubbies.”

Ooh, treat!