Page 36 of Will Bark for Pizza (Bluebell Springs #1)

TWENTY-SIX

HUSKER

That was the best dinner ever!

Grandma Connie is the best.

Why doesn’t Mom add special sauce to my dinner?

Grandma Connie calls it gravy.

Can I have more gravy, Grandma Connie?

“You sure you’re okay, sweetie?”

I’m okay.

But I really want more dinner.

With gravy.

Oh, you mean Mom.

Mom, are you okay?

Maybe you need to pet me to feel better.

There, scratch my booty.

Booty scratches make everything better.

“Just tired.”

“I know it’s a lot.”

What’s a lot?

A lot of dinner ?

That’s not possible.

Never too much dinner.

“I just wish there was something I could do.”

“We all wish that.”

I wish for pizza.

Is there pizza?

“I’ve thought about moving home.”

Home?

Mom, we are home.

“Don’t do that unless it’s what you really want.”

“I miss this place.”

Sniff, sniff, sniff.

What’s that under the cupboard?

Bonus hamburger!

“You miss your mother.”

Chomp, chomp, chomp.

“Yeah, of course I do.”

Mom feels sad.

Mom, why are you sad?

Do you want bonus hamburger, too?

I’ll look for more.

Sniff, sniff, sniff.

“We all miss her, you know.”

“I wish . . .”

“Your mother was very proud of you.”

No more bonus hamburger.

Grandma Connie’s kitchen is clean.

Cleaner than Mom’s kitchen.

But I’m not allowed in Mom’s kitchen.

Grandma Connie lets me in her kitchen.

Grandma Connie, do you have more ?

“Husker, you’ve had enough.”

Silly Mom.

Grandma Connie, don’t listen to Mom.

“Sweetie, I would love to have you home.”

“Yeah?”

“Of course. We all would.”

Grandma Connie’s got something in her hand.

She’s being sneaky.

Mom doesn’t see.

Num, num, num.

“But?”

“But don’t put your life on hold.”

“There’s not much to put on hold.”

“What’s that?”

“Nothing. I think Husker and I are going for a walk.”

Walk?

Did you say walk?

Mom said walk.

Walk!

We’re going on a walk!

Let’s go, Mom!

Hurry up!

“Guess you better take him before he bursts from all the excitement.”

Where’s my leash?

I need my leash so I don’t chase the mini squirrels.

Right, Mom?

Get my leash!

Walks are my favorite.

Let’s go on a walk!

Walk! Walk! Walk!