“We carry a nice range of collars as well.” He handed her a blue one that matched his leash. “If you want a tag, we have some temporary ones, and we also have a made-to-order range, which are very popular.”
She pulled the price tag off the collar and added it to the basket before wrapping the collar around Beau’s neck.
“We’ll take a temporary one for now, but I’d like to order a more permanent one.”
Nodding, he picked up a catalog from a nearby holder and pulled his reading glasses from his shirt pocket, flipping them open and slipping them onto his nose.
“We have a rather nice silver one in the shape of a bone, which you can have his name engraved on. Or you can go with a circular or oval shape.”
“Actually, I like the bone-shaped one.” Olivia peered over the edge of the page.
“Excellent choice.” He beamed. “Is that everything then?”
“I think so.” Olivia nodded, glancing over to Theo who was laden down with everything. “Is there anything else, Theo?”
His eyes brightened. “Have you any more of Liddy Mayberry’s strawberry tarts?”
“Enjoyed that, did you?” he chuckled.
“Enjoyed it?” Olivia rolled her eyes. “I barely got any of it.”
“I know the feeling.” He patted his rounded belly. “Unfortunately, I think we sold the last tart yesterday, but we have a lovely chocolate fudge cake.”
“Now you’re talking.” Olivia smiled. “We’ll take it.”
“Alright then.” Mr. Bailey smiled. “Let’s ring all this up for you.”
By the time they left the store, it was getting on for mid-morning, and Beau was beginning to whine.
“We really need to feed him before we go anywhere else,” Olivia told Theo as they approached the car.
Theo nodded, and as Olivia popped the trunk, Theo loaded the bags, rummaging through them to pull out the food bowls, a bag of dried food, and a bottle of water. While Theo fed him, she pulled out his new leash and removed the tags.
A sudden chill ran down her spine, followed by the strange feeling of being watched. Turning to glance at the street behind her, she couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Rolling her shoulders, she tried to shake the uncomfortable sensation. Locking the trunk, she moved around to where Theo was crouched down beside Beau.
“I think he’s done.” Theo tapped out the bowls to make sure they were empty and placed them inside the car, taking Olivia’s keys and locking it.
“Come on then, Beau.” She smiled as she bent down and clipped the leash to his collar.
They barely got two steps down the street before Beau flopped down on the sidewalk. Rolling himself up in the leash, he laid on his back and began chewing on it.
Laughing at him, Olivia lifted him up and untangled him.
“Theo, walk a couple of steps ahead until he gets the hang of it.”
Theo set off as Beau watched with interest. Wriggling frantically in Olivia’s arms, he watched Theo walk away.
“Okay, boy.” She set him down on the ground. “Where’s Theo? Go find him.”
Happy to play the new game, Beau scrambled after Theo, dragging Olivia by his leash. They made it to the bank mostly without incident, if they discounted Beau getting tangled around a streetlight and nearly tripping up several people. A quick stop to show Theo how to use the ATM and they headed to the coffee shop with Theo almost as excited as Beau.
“God, you two are cute.” Olivia picked Beau up as they headed inside and up to the counter. Theo deeply inhaled the strong aromatic scent before throwing her a smile.
“I’ll have a vanilla latte,” Olivia told the woman behind the counter. “Theo?”
“I don’t know.” He frowned. “What do you think?”
“Knowing your sweet tooth, a caramel macchiato would probably go down well.”
