The golden retriever leaned against my recliner — hard — and looked at me longingly.
“Come on, Daddy,” she said. “Let’s go for a walk. I want to go out the front way.”
“Now Summer, you can go out the back way whenever you want, and it’s fenced in so you don’t have to be on a leash,” I said absent-mindedly. “Anyway, the mosquitos were awful yesterday, and besides, I have to try to fix the washing machine again.”
“Oh, fooey,” said Summer, hanging her head in disappointment.
“Bark!” Dejah said, standing defiantly in front of the patio door. “Bark! Bark!”
“Squirrel? Where?!” Summer said and ran up behind the older dog. “Daddy?! It’s a squirrel!”
By the time I got to the patio door, the squirrel had scampered down the stairs, across the yard and up a tree. Dejah walked out on the deck and glared across the expanse at the squirrel taunting her from a safe branch.
“What is it with you?” I asked my younger dog as I slid the door closed. “Don’t you like the backyard?”
“I like the backyard just fine,” she said. “It’s just more fun going for a walk with you.”
“Bark!” Dejah said out on the deck.
“Wait a minute,” I said. “Why do I understand you, Summer? I thought humans could only hear dogs talking during the Time of Magic, in October.”
Summer looked thoughtful, then said, decisively, “I don’t know.”
“I’ll ask Grenn the next time I see him, or maybe Seth will fly over. He’s always around.”
“As long as I have your attention,” Summer asked, “how is the book selling? Are we rich yet?”
I laughed. “Contrary to popular belief, most authors are not wealthy,” I said. “The book made a small splash in December when it came out, but not a ripple since then.”
“Only a few sales since January?”
“No, Summer, no sales at all,” I said. Her eyes widened.
“Bark!” said Dejah outside, more insistent.
“Two adorable golden retrievers start talking and fight the Evil One with their daddy, a lovable dragon, elfin beings, eagles and white-tailed deer?” Summer said. “What’s not to love about an adventure like that?”
“Beats me,” I said. “I don’t know what strikes readers’ fancy. I just write what happened.”
“Bark!” Dejah said, with a little whine this time. “Bark!”
“I should let her in,” I said, rising. “It’s good talking with you again, Summer. I wonder why I can hear you on a morning in June.”
But then Summer said, “Bark!” Then she whined in exasperation, as if testing her voice and realizing it was lost.
“Oh, no,” I said. “Well, it was good while it lasted, my little goof. I hope we can talk again before October.”
“Bark!” Dejah said outside, and this time she sounded indignant.
“Yes, yes, I know you’re there,” I said, sliding open the door. I don’t suppose you have anything to say.”
“Woof,” the old dog said, and she jumped on the love seat and lay down for a long summer’s nap.
Dejah & Summer in the Time of Magic is now on sale wherever fine books and ebooks can be found. Was Summer talking suddenly because a sequel might be in the works or simply because it has been awhile since I did any promotion for the book? I asked her, and “woof!” was all she said.
+ + + + +
Meanwhile, here is episode 16 of the “See the World! Podcast,” daily readings from my forthcoming book See the World! It’s scheduled for release June 10 and available for pre-order by clicking the book’s title.
