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“The dog’s name isPorkchop?” Aiden frowns at me, and we’re both distracted by her jumping up and down in her cutoffs and tube top with a package of hot dogs.
All at once, the six dogs on their end of the track see what she’s holding, and all of them change course midway, making a beeline right at her.
“Oh!” I gasp. “That’s not good.”
The girl screams at the mob of dogs barreling in her direction and bolts away. Even Sparky forgets about the pickle with the bell, plowing over Periwinkle in his haste to run down the hot chick waving hot dogs.
“Periwinkle!” Sarah cries, running onto the field to retrieve her dazed pooch. “Are you okay, baby?” She scoops up the Yorkie who nestles her little head under her owner’s neck, no longer interested in racing.
It’s utter chaos, and I’m laughing so hard, tears run down my cheeks. I’m not the only one.
Raif’s girl finally gives up, throwing the hot dogs over her shoulder at the mob of dogs before dashing into the ladies restroom and locking the door. The entire crowd of spectators roars with laughter, and rising above it all is a loudRooo!
I sniff, looking down at the end of the track, where Edward is jumping all around with Owen, who’s letting him play tug-of-war with his black athletic socks.
“And we have a winner, ladies and gentlemen!” Harold is back on the megaphone. “The winner of the inaugural Founder’s Day Doggy Dash is our very own Edward Bailey, owned by Miss Birgitte Bailey and handled by Miss Bailey and Owen Stone. Please make your way to the winner’s table to collect your medal.”
I’m still wiping tears from my eyes, and even Aiden has a huge grin on his face.
“That played out better than I expected,” he chuckles, putting his hand on my back and walking with me to where Harold climbs down the ladder to award our gold medal.
Piper meets us at the table with Ryan at her side. She’s holding a camera, and her eyes dance with laughter as well. “I have to hand it to you, Harold. That’s the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time.”
My bestie gets on one knee to take the photo of me beside Owen hugging Edward, who’s proudly wearing his medal.
“I guess we’re going to be in the paper now.” I lean forward, putting my hand on Owen’s shoulder. “Everybody in town will see what a smart dog we have.”
“I get it!” He turns, hugging my waist before dropping again to hug Edward. “Everybody in town’s going to know you’re the best dog! Even when hot dogs are on the line, you’re still going to win the race.”
Heat warms my eyes, and I stand, giving Piper a hug.
“Now that’s my kind of race.” Adam Stone’s voice joins us, and I turn.
“Adam!” Stepping forward, I give him a hug. “I haven’t seen you since I got back to town. You look so good!”
He really does. Adam was always the wild child in the Stone family. He looks just like his older brothers, with the dark brow and the panty-melting muscles, but he’s so easy-going and loose. He’s the kind of guy you could trust with anything.
“Hey, man.” Aiden steps up behind me, placing his hand on my back, and I lean into him, remembering what he said.
I guess because we were friends in high school, Aiden got the crazy idea I wanted to date Adam, but as much as I adore him, there’s only one Stone brother I’m interested in.
“Are Mom and Alex here?” Aiden asks.
“Nah, I came on my own.” Adam clasps his brother’s hand.
Then he does something that surprises me. Adam looks at Piper in a way that I don’t think she notices. I’ve never noticed it until this second. He looks at her like she’s a wave he’s never been brave enough to ride, but he really wants to.
“I had to check out this Doggy Dash,” he continues with a laugh. “I figured Pip would be here covering it for the paper.”
“You figured right.” Piper grins, tugging on his arm, and I cut my eyes from him to her, wondering.
Adam catches my eye, and he smiles. “Why don’t I take Edward and the boys to the kids area? I’ve heard the corn maze is actually hard this year.”
“If you’re shorter than five feet,” Piper clarifies.
Adam gives me a wink, and I realize we’re on the same team. I want to mouth athank-you, but I don’t want to draw attention.
“Can we, Mom?” Ryan pulls on Piper’s arm, and Owen dances all around, taking Edward’s leash from my hand.
