To Catch a Treat Read Online Free Page B

talk about Go, but I feel better afterward when I do. I’m just hoping … well, I want to get him back someday, and if he was dognapped he’s at least still alive. I’ll do anything I can to find him.”
    â€œI understand,” I said. “And if there’s any way I can help, please let me know. I’m always around. When I’m at my shops, I may need a few minutes to get away—but I will.”
    I didn’t know her well, and neither did Neal, at least not yet. And he might never. But I understood and appreciated animal lovers and could definitely read her pain. I meant it. If I could help, I would.
    â€œThanks.” Janelle bent momentarily to give Biscuit a pat on the head without breaking stride. When she was fully upright again she said, “Right now … well, I want to catch up with Neal and maybe finish this hike with him.”
    â€œI get it.” I smiled at her, which in moments resulted in smiling at her back as she sped forward.
    Reed was immediately beside me. Biscuit and Hugo didn’t slow their pace as they continued along the narrow dirt path, and neither did we humans.
    â€œTell me what that was all about,” Reed said. “I heard part of it. She lost a dog?”
    I briefly told him about Janelle’s belief that her Goliath had been dognapped nearly right in front of her at a dog park while she’d been distracted.
    â€œThat’s a shame,” he said. “I assume she’s tried the usual stuff like flyers to find him?”
    I repeated what she’d said: everything from flyers to social media. “It all happened down the mountain, in Los Angeles,” I said. “She said she was here to get away from it all. I gather she’s not likely to stay very long, which could be a bad thing for Neal.”
    â€œDid she take a leave of absence from her job?”
    â€œShe said she’s a photographer. Maybe she’s freelance. I’m not sure.”
    â€œOkay.”
    When Reed grew silent, I observed him instead of the trail. There was an intense expression on his face as he looked ahead. I wanted to know what he was thinking, so I asked.
    â€œI’m just trying to come up with some other avenues for Janelle to try to find her dog. From what you’ve said, sounds like she’s done a good job of the usual stuff. But what if her dog really was stolen?”
    â€œI’m wondering that, too,” I agreed. “She didn’t tell me if she’d contacted any authorities, but I’d guess she did, considering the rumors that a lot of other dogs had been stolen lately from around where she lives.”
    â€œThen you think she’s a fairly smart woman?” Reed looked toward me. “Worthy of your brother’s interest?” His grin only made me smile back.
    â€œThat remains to be seen.” I wouldn’t find out right now. “Hey, why don’t we catch up with our fellow hikers? I think it’s time for me to get to know them—especially the ones with dogs.”
    â€œGoing to invite them to the Barkery?”
    â€œHow did you guess?”
    We increased our speed so that soon we were in the middle of the group that followed in Neal’s footsteps. There were nearly as many women as men, and some of the hikers appeared to be couples. I still wasn’t pleased with myself for neglecting to bring samples from both the Barkery and Icing, but, practically speaking, I wouldn’t have been able to carry a large amount anyway. I wasn’t even wearing a backpack. And my lack of treats didn’t prevent me from being friendly.
    I introduced myself as Neal’s sister—as well as being the owner of two premium bake shops in Knobcone Heights. I issued a lot of invitations to the smiling hikers—including promises to hand out samples to those who visited either or both of my shops tomorrow.
    Because I’d thought our hike would only involve walking around