Page 66 of Will Bark for Pizza (Bluebell Springs #1)

FIFTY-FIVE

HUSKER

Sniff, sniff, sniff!

These boxes smell funny.

Mom, what’s in all these boxes?

They’re really big.

Sniff, sniff, sniff!

“Are these the special editions?”

What’s a special edition, Grandma Connie?

Special edition treats?

They don’t smell like treats.

“I think so ? —”

“Surprise!”

Lila!

Hey, Mom, Lila’s here!

I like Lila!

She’s one of my favorite people.

Mom, did you know Lila’s here!

“Husker, are you excited too? ”

I’m excited, Lila!

What are we excited about?

“You’re a few days early.”

“You didn’t think I’d let these babies show up without me, did you?”

Babies?

Babies smell funny.

But they taste good.

Are there babies in these boxes?

Maybe that’s why they smell funny.

Hey, let me get in on this hug.

I need to wedge myself right ? —

—there.

“Husker, buddy, I’m not going anywhere.”

Lila giggles are nice.

“He missed you.”

Lila, what’s in the boxes?

“Can we open them?”

Yes, I agree with Grandma Connie.

Can we open the boxes?

“Husker, you know they’re not treats, right?”

Treats?

Did someone say treats?

Where are the treats?

“Sorry.”

Why is Lila sorry?

“There are treats over there.”

Yeah, what Mom said.

“Hold on, buddy.”

But treats.

Over there.

I need the treats over there .

“Okay, okay. You win!”

I win!

Treats!

Over there!

Treats for me!

Treats right here!

“Here you go.”

Thanks, Lila!

Num, num, num.

Did you put one in your pocket?

I think you put one in your pocket.

“Let me get the box cutter. It’s in the office.”

Grandma Connie, where are you going?

“I hope you don’t mind that I’m early.”

“Why would I mind?”

“I didn’t want to interrupt . . . anything.”

Mom, why are your cheeks turning a funny color?

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, please! I’m your best friend, Kira. I can read you easier than a book.”

Lila, is there a treat in your pocket?

I saw you put a treat in your pocket.

Sniff, sniff, sniff.

“Husker, hold on, buddy.”

Okay, Lila.

But hurry, please.

“It might be something.”

“I knew it!”

Knew what?

That there’s a treat in your pocket ?

That isn’t new.

Lila, can I have the treat?

Please, please, please?

“It’s a good thing you’re cute.”

Lila thinks I’m cute!

Treat!

Num, num, num.

“You have to tell me everything.”

Grandma Connie, did you go get treats?

“I’ll tell you later.”

“You better.”

“Let’s see what these beauties look like!”

Do they look like treats?