Sit! Stay! Speak! Read Online Free Page A

the way the sundress pushed up her boobs, which were her favorite feature. She was five foot five and a curvy size eight, but she had the breasts of a larger woman. Most of the time she kept them at least partially hidden beneath a cardigan, but it was too hot for all of that tonight. Besides, it wasn’t as if she had an actual date, so she didn’t know why it mattered so much to her what she looked like, but she was satisfied with her appearance nonetheless.
    Addie looked down from the mirror when she heard her phone ring. “Hello?”
    â€œHey, hon. It’s Wanda. Bryar and I are here. Come on out.”
    Addie padded into the living room where Felix was asleep. She hadn’t realized that a puppy could sleep so much, although a call to Dr. Dixon eased her concern. He’d told her that it was probably the first time Felix had a warm bed and food to eat. From the looks of him, he’d spent all of his short life outside, fighting for just about anything he could get to eat. He hadn’t really moved since she’d brought him home. She’d taken to carrying him outside because he wouldn’t walk around while she was watching him. His eyes were still so wide and frightened. Addie hoped he’d be okay for a few hours while she was gone. She put down a few old newspapers just in case he couldn’t wait until she got home. She wasn’t sure what to expect from him just yet. She just hoped the couch was safe. She’d heard horror stories about dogs tearingup furniture and flooring, doors, and even windows. Adding to her list of fixes around her house wasn’t her idea of a good time. She slipped out the front door, locking it behind her. She waved to Wanda and hurried out to the car.
    â€œHey!” Wanda shifted her huge Bonneville into drive.
    Addie reached for the seat belt, and replied, “Hey! Thanks for picking me up. I know this is a small town, but I probably never would have found the fairgrounds.”
    â€œAddie, this is Bryar.” Wanda gestured to the freckled redhead sitting in a booster seat in the back.
    The little boy waved at Addie. “Hi. I’m four.”
    â€œHi, Bryar,” Addie replied. “I’m twenty-seven.”
    â€œMy mom is older than you” was his response.
    â€œNot by much, kiddo.” Wanda snorted. “I’m just thirty.”
    â€œYou don’t look thirty,” Addie said. “Of course, I don’t know what a thirty-year-old is supposed to look like.”
    â€œMe either,” Wanda replied. “I don’t know how they’re supposed to act, either. I live with a four-year-old. Other than the clinic, this is the first adult interaction I’ve had in months! Oh, the joys of single parenting.”
    â€œAre you and his dad D-I-V-O-R-C-E-D?” Addie spelled out the word, not wanting to trigger a reaction from the backseat. When Wanda didn’t answer right away, she added, “I’m sorry. That’s totally none of my business.”
    â€œOh, no, no.” Wanda waved her off. “It’s fine. We were never married. His daddy is actually in P-R-I-S-O-N.”
    Addie sat back in her seat. “Oh . . . I’m sorry.”
    â€œDon’t be. He’s an S-O-B.” Wanda winked. “As long as he stays where he is, everything is gravy, baby!”
    From the backseat, Bryar dissolved into a fit of giggles, repeating, “It’s gravy, baby!” over and over.
    Addie and Wanda both began to laugh and Addie felt herself relax for the first time in weeks. Maybe she could go out with Wanda from time to time. A little friendship wasn’t going to hurt anything, was it?

CHAPTER 5
    B Y THE TIME W ANDA PULLED INTO THE GRASSY LOT AT THE fairgrounds, it was almost full. A man wearing a bright orange vest directed them to the nearest spot.
    â€œIs this the parking lot?” Addie asked. “The grass?”
    â€œYep,” Wanda replied. “All