Skies Like These Read Online Free PDF Page B

“It’s okay, boy. I’m here to help you.” Astro pressed his head against Jade’s outstretched hand, like he was asking for some love. “Aw, that’s sweet.” Jade scratched behind his ears and wrapped her fingers around his collar. “Let’s come out and have a bath,” she said, pulling on the collar.
    Astro didn’t move. Jade tugged and pulled but the dog wouldn’t budge an inch. She dug her heels into the ground, leaned back, and yanked mightily. The collar slipped up, over, and off Astro’s head, sending Jade into a backward lunge to the ground. Thunk!
    Roy let out a deep belly laugh.
    â€œI thought a real cowboy would always help a damsel in distress, not sit and laugh at her.”
    Roy adjusted his belt buckle. “You’re right,” he said, coming over and helping Jade off the ground. “It was just so funny to see you go flying through the air.”
    â€œHilarious.” Jade brushed the red clay dust from her bottom.
    Roy reached into his pocket and pulled out a chunk of jerky. “This’ll do the job,” he said, waving the dried meat under Astro’s nose and then walking over and tossing it on the grass. Astro came out of his run and collapsed onto the lawn.
    â€œGet Lobo,” Roy said. “We’ll start with him.”
    Jade looked across the yard, where a gaggle of dogs were sniffing through the dewy grass. “Which one is Lobo?”
    Roy whistled, bringing the dogs running. “Let me introduce you.” He went through, touching each dog’s head, scratching its ears and rubbing the spot between its eyes. “This one is Mia,” he said, tugging on the collar of the white, jumpy dog. “She’s a shepherd mix. Then there’s Yaz here, he’s a spaniel. Sadie and Lady come every few weeks when their mom goes away on business.” He was pointing out two identical collies—both with long copper fur and white tufts around their noses and ears. “Emerson is a beagle. If you hear a dog howling, it’s likely Emerson. Jack is a true mutt and proud of it. Astro needs no introduction.”
    â€œNo,” Jade said. “He took care of that himself.”
    â€œAstro will cure you of any shyness, like it or not.” He lifted up a rolly black pug. “Isn’t that right, Lobo?” The pug wiggled his stumpy tail and blinked his bug eyes. Three crooked teeth jutted from his bottom jaw over his upper lip.
    Jade counted the dogs. “Wait, I thought there were nine.”
    â€œAh,” Roy said. “Genghis Khan, the terror of terriers.” He raised his chin toward a run where the black-and-brown terrier had snuck back into his doghouse. “He doesn’t like being told what to do.”
    â€œHow do you know them all so well?”
    â€œThey’re mostly return customers, especially in the summer when their owners travel more. Astro is always here, though. He’s kind of their mascot, I guess.” Roy set Lobo down in the tub and tied the rope around his collar. Shimmery soap bubbles rose up around the dog’s face and Lobo began snapping his jaws, trying to eat them. With each bite, he’d lick his mouth and look confused, uncertain how the bubble had disappeared. Roy plunged his hands into the water and began running his fingers through Lobo’s fur. Lobo closed his eyes and made grunting noises.
    â€œI think he likes you.” Jade sat down on the edge of the porch, feet dangling next to the big tub where Lobo was enjoying his bath.
    â€œOf course he does.” Roy offered his confident cowboy grin. “What’s not to like?”

 
    6
    When the last clean dog was basking in the sun and Roy was hosing out the dirt at the bottom of the washtub, Jade once again brought up the subject she had been so curious about. “So, are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
    Roy turned off the hose, flipped the tub upside