Strange Outfit: An Avery Barks Dog Mystery (Avery Barks Dog Mysteries Book 2) Read Free

absolute honor, and I lifted her up in my arms.  She started licking my face with those cute mini dog licks. Chevy sat on the ground next to me, staring up at her like a love struck teenager.
    “Princess never kisses anybody but me!” Ben was ecstatic.  “I knew it!”
    “My heart is with the animals and I think they know that.” I told him the truth.
    “Then we have the same heart.”  Ben suddenly blurted out, “If anything were to happen to me, would you take care of Princess and Bullfrog?”
    Strange. 
    “Bullfrog?”
    “My other dog,” Ben pointed toward the mobile home.   “He’s an old guy and doesn’t do much anymore.  Eats, sleeps and poops.  He’s a good watch dog though.”
    “I’d be honored to take care of them,” I promised.  I knew how it felt to want a back-up plan for pets.
    “How did you find this beautiful place, Ben?”
    “I traveled all over the southeast states for years and lived in my camper. One day last fall, I took a small plane ride over this area taking photographs and saw this property.  I decided right then and there, that this was the place for me. I bought this piece of land and set up home with my dogs.  I’m going to sift through my box of photos one day and frame those pictures.”
    Ben looked up and saw Don and Rocky walking down the hill towards us.  He grabbed my hand and stared at me intently.
    “Hear every single thing that I say, but never say the things that you hear.” 
    “Okay.” I was getting confused.
    Ben squeezed my hand tight and leaned in so close that I thought he might fall out of his chair, “My biggest treasure holds the key to my treasure.” 
    He let my hand go, picked up little Princess and cuddled her once again in his arms. Don and Rocky arrived back at the chairs and Princess’ hackles went up.  Ben softly laid his hand over the raised hairs on her back and gave me a quick look, then turned his attention to the guys.
    “Is this the little lady and hero dog I read about in the paper?”
    Rocky said, “Yes sir it is.  What do you think?”
    “I think they’ll do just fine.”  Ben gave me a wink. 
    Rocky said, “You’re both hired.  We don’t have a lot of funds yet, but hope you will help out on a part time basis until we get things going.”
    “Glad to.”  Any kind of job was welcome at this point.
    I said my good-byes to Ben and Princess and headed back toward the truck.  Rocky caught up with me as I walked.  A shock of brown hair fell over his hand as he rubbed his forehead.  “I hope Ben didn’t scare you.  Did he say anything crazy?”
    “No, we mostly just played with the dogs.”  I tried not to stare at his ruggedly handsome face or the way his muscular arms were tanned from working outdoors. I turned away and got Chevy and Ace into the back of the truck. 
    “Good.  Ben is a little bit out there, but he’s harmless.  Just don’t pay attention to any wild stuff he says.” Rocky gave me a little smile as Don and I jumped into the truck and waved good-bye to Ben.
    As we drove out the dirt driveway, Don started chuckling. “You have a crush.”
    “No way.” My focus was on training dogs, not on chasing guys.
    “I’m a deputy, I know these things.  You have a crush.”  Don stated, as if it was a fact.
    Maybe I stared a little too long.
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 3
    I drove to my new job at the future animal sanctuary early the next day.  I smiled as I watched the morning sun burn off the thin fog as it hovered above the pastures.  Rocky hadn’t arrived yet, so I took the opportunity to look around on my own.  Specifically, I was curious as to what had happened up at the tree stand yesterday.
    I hiked with a quick pace back up the hill with Chevy, to let him stretch his legs.  He ran back and forth and smelled everything he could get his nose on.  I did my best to follow the same route we did the previous morning and found the site within about fifteen minutes. 
    Nothing looked