Home Before Dinner

Chapter 39

7:13 pm

"Snowball, how is a florist shop going to help me?" Duke groaned as he followed Snowball. He whimpered when his stomach growled again. Leading the way, Snowball reassured the canine, "Trust me. The florist is the best place to get food." Not convinced, Duke questioned, "How?"

"Because they leave the produce out in the open," Snowball answered as the pair rounded the corner. There was the florist shop he had been talking about. Outside its doors was just a taste of what they sold. Of course, there were flowers. But there were also apples and oranges, carrots and tomatoes. His mouth watering with anticipation, Duke mumbled, "I don't even know what to say."

"Less talking, more eating," Snowball ordered. His tail wagging, Duke went to grab an apple when he heard police sirens. He and Snowball looked up in time to watch a police cruiser roar by. Strangely enough, the Newfoundland mix thought for sure he had seen Mel and Buddy sticking their heads out the passenger window. Turning to Snowball, he remarked, "Wonder what that's about."

"Don't know," Snowball mumbled, his mouth full of carrots. Shrugging his shoulders, Duke reached out for an apple when he heard someone shout, "Look! It's the boss and Fat Dog!" Recognizing Tattoo's voice, the mutt bolted and screamed, "Snowball, run!" Chewing on a carrot, Snowball muttered, "What now?"

"Gotcha!" Derick exclaimed, snatching up Snowball. The poor rabbit was so surprised he dropped his carrot. Squirming vigorously, he glanced up to see Derick's toothy grin. The rabbit could feel dread building up inside him. He had been caught by the hunters, he had lost his own game. And, because of this, Snowball had only one thing to say.

"NOOO!!!!!!!"