Page 3 of Saving His Sunshine

“This is so not funny,” I hiss.

“Are you kidding me? This would only happen to you. It’s hysterical,” she says, still laughing.

I choose to ignore her. Mostly because she’s right, this would only happen to me. It’s utterly ridiculous.

"Hey!" I shout to the dog, my voice an octave higher than usual. "Those aren't for you, buddy!"

The dog lifts his head, strings of saliva dripping from his jowls, pieces of meat stuck to his black nose. He gives me a look that can only be described as pure, unrepentant joy.

Then he dives right back in.

I can't help but giggle, even as I lunge forward to stop him. "Oh no, you don't! That’s not for furry freeloaders!"

As I reach for the bowl, the lab wags his tail with so much enthusiasm that he smacks it against my spice rack. Jars of paprika, cumin, and oregano clatter to the floor, sending a pungent, multicolored mess of spices into the air.

"You've got to be kidding me," I groan, torn between exasperation and amusement as I take in the mess.

"Where did he even come from?” Adalynn asks through peals of laughter.

“I have no idea!” I cry. “I have the back door open, but my yard is fenced.” I stare at the dog in shock. “Where did you come from, you adorable menace?”

The dog gives me a goofy grin in response, his tongue lolling out. I swear, he looks proud of himself, as if he knows exactly what he did and doesn’t regret it in the least.

I spot a tag on his collar, but before I can even look at it, he decides he’s done with the island. He hops down with surprising grace, trampling through the spices he spilled everywhere, and then trots into my living room like he owns the place.

My cat, Skeet, is going to love this.

"Come back here, you furry thief!" I call, chasing after the dog. But by the time I reach the living room, he’s already climbingup on the couch, leaving spicy footprints all over the pale blue fabric.

I watch as he stretches out, taking up nearly the entire length, and huffs out a sigh before closing his eyes.

He has no shame. None at all.

"I guess you've decided you live here now, huh?" I mutter, smiling despite myself.

His tail twitches.

“What’s happening?” Adalynn demands to know.

“The big thief just ate most of my meat, knocked my spice rack over, and now he’s napping on my couch like he owns the place,” I mumble, slowly approaching him to try to get another look at the tag on his collar.

My sister cracks up. “I swear, this is almost as good as the time that raccoon attacked you for your cupcakes, Heidi.”

I lean down to read the tag attached to his collar. My brows climb when I seeSilver Spoon Falls Fire Departmentengraved beneath his name.

“His name is Rivin. He’s a fire dog.”

“He belongs to the fire department?”

“According to his tag.”

“How did he get way out there? You’re miles from the fire station.”

“I don’t…” I trail off as I remember Mrs. Abernathy and her friend gossiping over the fence a few days ago about a new firefighter moving in next door. Something about him being “such a sweet boy” for battling the Granite Hills wildfire raging outside of town.

He and I are apparently on different schedules because I’ve yet to meet him. But Mrs. Abernathy was quick to let me know that he’s handsome and single. I beat a hasty retreat after that comment. No offense, but I am not taking potential partner advice from a woman who has been married seven times.

“I think he belongs to my new neighbor. He must have climbed the fence,” I mutter to Adalynn.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com