SEVEN
CHALLENGING TIMES
Ava
“That dog stinks!” Twitch says as we get out of the truck.
I sigh. “Yes, he does. The tap is at the back of the house, isn’t it?”
“It sure is,” he replies with a screwed-up face, watching my dog jump out of the truck.
“I purchased some doggy shampoo, so I might give him a wash.”
“Do you want some help?” Elena asks.
My eyes scan over Conan’s body. “Yes, please. I hope he’ll let us wash him.”
Elena’s eyes widen. “He better not bite me!”
My heart is beating faster, hoping Conan won’t be a problem. We walk out the back and toward the tap.
“Can you connect the hose, and I’ll get the shampoo?”
Elena gives Conan a wry glance. “Okay.”
I dash through the house and into the kitchen. My shoulders drop at the mess already. My fingers itch to clean it up. If Bea
