Page 15 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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5

Havoc

The dog shows up again.

At this point, I’m starting to think Buddy has a better social calendar than most people.

It’s late afternoon when he trots into the gravel lot like he owns the place.

Tail wagging.

Tongue hanging out.

And right behind him—

The kid.

Dylan.

He’s carrying a grocery bag that looks heavier than it should be for someone his size.

Wolf notices him first.

“Your intern is back,” he says.

“He is not my intern.”

Dylan walks up the steps like he’s trying not to bother anyone.

Buddy runs straight to me.

The dog drops a stick at my feet and looks up expectantly.

I stare at it.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

The tail thumps harder.

Dylan smiles.

“He likes playing fetch.”

“I don’t.”

Buddy nudges the stick closer.

Wolf laughs under his breath.

I sigh, pick it up, and throw it across the lot.

Buddy launches after it like a missile.

Dylan grins like I just performed a magic trick.

“You’re good with him,” the kid says.

“I threw a stick.”

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