Free Puppy Love by A. Destiny and Catherine Hapka Page B

his house first so he could change clothes. Then we swung by my house to pick up Muckle. He was waiting for us when I opened the front door, his entire fuzzy little body quivering with excitement. Mom was waiting too, and she was also quivering. But in her case, it was with irritation.She wanted to tell us all about how naughty Muckle had been that day, but luckily, I had an excuse to duck most of her complaints this time.
    â€œSorry, Mom,” I said, snapping the leash onto Muckle’s collar while he leaped around joyfully, trying to lick my face. “We don’t want to be late for puppy class.”
    She frowned. “Yes, I suppose that dog needs all the class time he can get.” Then her gaze wandered to Robert. “What are you wearing, young man?”
    Did I mention that Robert had stopped to change clothes? He was flying solo in the Disguise Game that day, all decked out as a summer tourist even though it was almost November. A pair of oversize Bermuda shorts put his pale, knobby knees on full display. His second-favorite Hawaiian shirt—the one with luau scenes all over it—flapped over a white patent leather belt. A pair of antique binoculars hung around his neck, and the whole outfit was topped off with a wide-brimmed hat.
    â€œWhat, this old thing?” Robert shot Mom an innocent smile as he twirled on our front step. “It was a little warm in school today, so I thought I’d slip into something more comfortable.”
    â€œHmm.” Mom turned away, clearly losing interest in Robert’s latest fashion statement. “Make sure you’re home in time for dinner, Lauren.”
    When we arrived at PetzBiz, Robert got out of the car and pulled his hat lower over his face. “Ready to go incognito,” he said.
    I sighed. “Must you? I mean, are you sure you don’t have anyimportant shopping to do at the Goodwill store? It’s drop-off day, you know.”
    For a moment he looked tempted. Then he shook his head.
    â€œI want to be there for you, Lauren,” he informed me. “Keep an eye on things. Watch your back.”
    â€œWhatever.” I knew better than to try to talk him out of it. The more I’d try, the more stubborn he’d get. And the more likely to pull something embarrassing.
    As we reached the front door, I heard someone calling my name. Muckle spun around, yipping joyfully as Rachel and Gizi hurried toward us.
    â€œHey!” I greeted her. “Ready for today’s class?”
    â€œI hope so.” Rachel sounded a little breathless. “I took Gizi for a long walk right after school so she’d maybe be calmer.” She glanced at her puppy, who was leaping around doing the crazy-puppy-happy-welcome dance with Muckle. “I’m not sure it worked.”
    I smiled sympathetically. Every time I saw Gizi, I was reminded that Muckle could be much worse. “This is my friend Robert,” I said. “Robert, this is Rachel. She goes to MVHS.”
    â€œRobert James Chase, at your service,” Robert said with his usual bow and flourish.
    â€œRachel Kardos.” Rachel smiled shyly, clearly not quite sure what to make of Robert. He got that a lot. “Hi.”
    Robert tossed a salute in my general direction. “I’m off. Have fun, kids.”
    He hurried off, disappearing behind a stack of birdcages. “Where’s he going?” Rachel asked.
    â€œWho knows.” I rolled my eyes. “But don’t be alarmed if you notice him spying on our class. Robert can be strange at times, but he’s mostly harmless.”
    Rachel smiled uncertainly. “So how’s Muckle doing?” she asked. “Have you guys been practicing the stuff Adam taught us?”
    â€œOf course.” I could feel my face heating up as I remembered that extra private lesson on Sunday afternoon. But I wasn’t about to tell Rachel that. “I think Muck’s finally starting to catch on to the