Page 70 of The Wisteria Tree Cottage

‘Yes, go for it, just move slowly.’

Star picked up the sausage and held it out and Snuggles moved over towards her, eagerly. He very gently took the sausage from her hand and ate it and then, because her hand was still outstretched, he licked her hand too. This made Star giggle and Snuggles wagged his tail at the noise.

‘Can I stroke him?’ Star asked.

‘Yes, but not on top of the head, try his chest or his shoulder,’ Bear said. ‘Move slowly and be really gentle.’

Star reached out a hand to stroke the dog’s chest and Snuggles was obviously quite happy to let her do it, wagging his tail as she gently touched his fur.

To Bear’s surprise, Snuggles even sat down next to Star so she could continue the stroking.

‘He’s beautiful,’ Star said, reverentially.

‘He is. Here, give him another sausage.’

Star reached down and grabbed the sausage and as she continued to stroke him with one hand she fed him with the other. Snuggles was very calm and clearly enjoying the attention.

Bear had a good look at him: his claws were slightly long and his coat was a bit muddy in patches, but he looked in fairly good condition, which meant he probably hadn’t been out here too long, maybe a few weeks, and he’d managed to keep himself fed. It was hard to tell underneath the mass of fur but he didn’t look too skinny.

Snuggles suddenly leaned forward to sniff the side of Star’s neck and Star giggled at the feel of his whiskers on her skin. Then Snuggles lay down with his head in Star’s lap, looking up at her with such adoration.

‘Wow, Star, he really likes you,’ Bear said.

‘I like him too. Do you think Mummy and Daddy will let me keep him?’

‘We have to try and find his previous owner first. Snuggles may have slipped out of his home and his owners have been worried about him ever since. If we can’t find his owners then we can have a chat about looking after him here, but that’s something we’ll have to ask your mum and dad. He’s a big dog and he might not be too happy in a treehouse.’

Suddenly there was the noise of loud laughter nearby as no doubt people returned to their treehouses possibly after being down the pub.

Snuggles was up on his feet like a shot and disappeared into the trees.

‘Oh, he’s gone,’ Star said sadly.

‘But that was excellent progress tonight. We fed him by hand, stroked him and he was happy to lie down next to you. I didn’t think we’d be able to do any of those things tonight. This will probably make him a lot easier to catch. We can camp out again tomorrow or put food out by the front of your house or mine to see if we can get him closer to a house and other people. If we can get him to go up the steps to your treehouse that would be great. And your treehouse smells of you so Snuggles will know you live there. He trusts you so, you never know, we might get lucky.’

‘Then he can sleep in my room.’

‘I think he’ll probably need a bath first before we let him do that. Also, if we do end up keeping him, the poor dog will probably need a better name than Snuggles.’

Star laughed. ‘I’ll think of something.’

CHAPTERFORTY-SIX

Meadow approached the tent expecting to see a flurry of activity, or at least Bear and Star lying in the entrance to the tent looking out for wildlife, but there was silence and no sign of movement at all.

Maybe they’d gone to bed.

Meadow quietly unzipped the tent and peered inside, a huge smile spreading across her face. Bear was on his back fast asleep and Star was lying cuddled into his side snoring softly. Bear had his arm wrapped around her tightly.

Meadow’s heart felt like it was going to burst with complete and utter love for him. This man was the most incredible, kindest most wonderful man she had ever met and she loved him with everything she had.

Suddenly sensing she was there, Bear’s arm tightened protectively around Star as his eyes opened. Realising it was her, a big smile appeared on his face.

‘Hey!’ he said softly.

‘Hi, I thought you guys might want a hot chocolate,’ Meadow whispered, waving the flask. ‘Didn’t expect to find you sleeping on the job.’

Bear grinned. ‘Star was getting tired. I suggested we have a little nap and that we could always get up later to do some more nature watching.’

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