Page 29 of Fall (Rise & Fall Duet 2)

Turned out I was wrong.

My respect had morphed into absolute awe.

Muffy lifted his leg and christened an unsuspecting tree. I waited patiently, grateful for the moment of stillness. We’d been going nonstop for four hours, and I was spent.

When Muffy finally lowered his leg, he wagged his tail and blinked up at me.

“Teague should hire you at the fire department as a hose,” I said as I dug into my pocket. His tail picked up pace. “Sit.”

He didn’t obey. And like a sucker, I gave him the treat anyway.

Then he sat and looked at me impatiently.

Ah. I hadn’t rewarded him for his initial good behavior so he wouldn’t complete the second command.

“You’re too smart for your own good,” I muttered as I tossed him another treat.

He easily caught it and smacked happily.

“Do you think Sis would notice if a couple of donuts were missing?” Eric asked as I led Muffy toward him.

“She’s keenly observant.”

He nodded. “That’s what I thought, but I could use a break.”

“Me too.” I motioned toward the picnic table. “Shall we sit there? I’ll retrieve the donuts.”

He brightened. “Okay.”

I grabbed the box from the van, somehow holding on to it when Muffy knocked his nose into the bottom. I scowled, but the dog was so pleased with himself, I couldn’t be angry.

Eric sat at the picnic table facing outward. Millie sat at his feet with her head on his lap. Eric’s bow tie was still straight even after a long day.

I glanced down at my tie, which was askew . . . and also soiled.

I sat next to Eric and looped Muffy’s leash around a table leg. Once I opened the box, a big nose worked feverishly over my lap.

“Better grab one quickly before the canine vacuum sucks them all down,” I said.

Eric laughed and snatched a chocolate glazed from the assortment. I followed suit and placed the box on the table behind us . . . securely out of Muffy’s reach.

Eric tore into the donut. Hesitantly, I brought mine to my mouth. It wasn’t that I was opposed to sweets, I just didn’t have them often. This was not the breakfast of champions.

The sugar and dough and chocolate melted on my tongue in a sweet combination of perfection. Not strawberry ice cream perfection, but good enough in a pinch.

“You eat donuts weird,” he observed.

While he attacked his with enthusiasm, I approached mine as if it were a snake. Because it was unfamiliar.

Lexie and Eric had drawn me well out of my comfort zone . . . but it wasn’t so bad.

“I’ll work on my technique.”

Eric polished his off, sneaking a bite to Millie, who completely gave it away with her smacking. Muffy turned those big eyes to me, and inwardly I groaned before I tore off a piece and offered it to him.

He swallowed it whole and looked at me as if to saygive me the rest of it, pal.

“You didn’t even taste it,” I muttered.

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