Page 41 of Shenanigans

“No. He’s not gonna eat me.”

Arf?

“I’m sure.”

Ralph looked in the van. “Another rescue?”

I smiled at Ralph. “No. Tinkerbell is mine. Have you spotted Elvis yet?”

He nodded and pointed to a palm tree by the water’s edge. “He’s hoping to snag another poodle.”

Walking over to the lagoon, I spotted Elvis’s snout protruding from the water.“Time to go home, Elvis. C’mon. Out!”

And boom! Elvis launched himself out of the water and charged.

Jana screamed.

Ralph cursed.

Tinkerbell growled ferociously and attacked Elvis, barely dodging the alligator’s snapping jaws.

“Oh my God. Oh my God,” Jana cried.

Holy hell! How had Tinkerbell gotten out of my van? I held up a hand.“Stop Elvis. Do not eat the dog.”

The alligator let out a rumbling bellow and halted.

I shuddered in relief.“Come Tinkerbell.”

The Yorkie pranced up to me and barked happily.

“You protected me from jaws, huh?”

Arf.

“Don’t ever do that again. You scared momma.”I picked Tinkerbell up and held her tightly. That had been too damn close.“How did you get out of the van and your seatbelt?”

Tinkerbell yipped.

“Chewed through the seatbelt and jumped out the window, huh?”

Arf.

“How did you get so smart?”

Arf. Arf. Arf.

“I’m not Maria. I won’t die on you.”

Woof?

“Promise.”

Elvis thrashed his tail and roared.

“No! You cannot eat the dog.”

The angry alligator hissed.

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