Page 49 of Will Bark for Pizza (Bluebell Springs #1)

THIRTY-EIGHT

HUSKER

Mom got her suitcase out.

Where are we going, Mom?

I better circle the bed so she doesn’t forget I’m here.

“Husker, calm down, buddy.”

Calm?

What’s that?

Pace, pace, pace.

“I have to make a super quick trip.”

Trip?

Where are we going?

Will there be pizza?

Don’t leave without me.

“Hey, it’s okay.”

Mom stopped packing.

To pet me.

Oh, no.

She’s trying to hug me.

I don’ t like hugs.

Ugh, hugs!

Mom, you’re squishing me.

Why are you squishing me?

“I’m only going to be gone one night.”

Gone?

Where are we going?

“You’re going to stay with Grandma Connie.”

Grandma Connie has the best asparagus.

Does she have asparagus now?

Or bacon?

Maybe we should check.

“Opal will be here too.”

I love Opal!

Wait.

Why are you putting stuff in your suitcase?

Where’s my stuff?

Am I going?

I’m going too, right?

You can’t leave me behind.

I want to go.

“Husker, buddy.”

New Best Friend!

He has a good laugh.

New Best Friend, Mom is packing.

Did she tell you where we’re going?

“Is he always like this?”

Am I always the bestest?

Yes.

Yes, I am.

“There’s a reason I didn’t pack until this morning.”

“We could bring him. ”

Yes!

New Best Friend, where are we going?

“This is how he acts when I pack one bag. Can you imagine what he’d be like packing up an entire apartment?”

Apartment?

I like my balcony.

And my treats are there.

But I like Grandma Connie’s house better.

Pace, pace, pace.

“Husker.”

Yes, New Best Friend?

“Want to go outside?”

Outside?

Yes!

Let’s go!

“Thank you.”

New Best Friend, what’s taking so long?

Why are you looking at my mom so long?

Come on.

I better push New Best Friend’s legs so he moves.

He seems stuck.

Let’s go!

Let’s go!

Let’s go!

“Okay, we’re going!”

Finally!