Bailey (2 page)

“There it is! Aunt Jenn's place: Tails Up! Boarding and Grooming,” cried Kat, reading the sign.

She and Maya ran ahead of the rest of the family, past the barber shop, the bank, and the hardware store. Then they waited impatiently for everyone to catch up.

Kat's father, Mr. Reynolds, frowned as he came up and read a sign in the store window. “
Walk-ins are welcome.
Don't most dogs walk in?” he asked. “Though, I guess some dogs might have dirty paws, so carrying them in would be better.”

“Funny, Dad.” Kat grinned. “You know it means that people don't have to make appointments ahead of time. They can just walk in with their dogs.”

“Oh, yeah. Right,” Mr. Reynolds said, grinning back at her.

But then he frowned for real. “I just hope Jenn can handle it all. Your aunt is a very enthusiastic person—especially when it comes to dogs. I love her dearly. But sometimes she can get a bit carried away with her projects.”

“Oh, Robert,” said Mrs. Reynolds. “You worry too much about your sister! I'm sure she'll be fine. Come on, gang. Let's go in.”

“Yeah, let's go,” said Kat. She and Maya led the way into Tails Up!

The waiting room had a small couch and three chairs. There was a scale and shelves lined with bags of dog food. At the front desk was a computer, a cash register, and a phone.

There were two customers waiting in the little room. One was a young man who sat with a white shih tzu on his lap. The other was a woman with a long-haired Shetland sheepdog lying at her feet. Both customers looked impatient.

Just then, Aunt Jenn came flying out of a room in the back. She wore a white grooming coat. Her brown hair was mostly pulled back in a ponytail. A few stray hairs frizzed around her forehead. With her was a thin man holding a tiny Chihuahua.

“So how was she?” the man asked nervously. “It was Chiquita's first time being groomed.”

“She was a natural. Very calm,” Aunt Jenn said. “It was a pleasure to groom her.”

The man smiled, relieved. He quickly paid his bill and left.

“And now, hello to you, my loyal family!” Aunt Jenn cried, hurrying toward them with her arms open. She gave each family member a huge hug. “Hello, my Kitty-Kat,” she said. That was her special name for Kat. She lifted Kat right off her feet!

Then she turned to Maya. “And my most-special niece's most-special friend, you came too!” And Maya was swept up in a hug as well.

“The place looks fantastic!” Mrs. Reynolds said.

“Yes, well done,” Mr. Reynolds added. Aunt Jenn plastered a kiss on his cheek. He patted her on the back awkwardly.

“Oh, it is so nice to have a fan club,” Aunt Jenn said, pleased. “Would you all like a tour? This, of course, is the reception area,” she said, throwing her arms wide. “When I get a receptionist, this is where she or he will sit.”

Mr. Reynolds looked worried. “You haven't hired any help yet?”

Mrs. Reynolds poked him. But Aunt Jenn answered cheerfully, “Nope. Can't quite afford it yet.”

“Um, excuse me.” It was the woman with the sheltie. She was standing now. “I'm Mrs. Fennel, and I have been waiting for quite some time. I believe my Clarke-Davis is next to be groomed.”

Aunt Jenn ruffled her brother's hair. “Oh, Mrs. Fennel,” she said. “You don't think this shaggy guy needs some emergency attention?”

Kat and Maya giggled.

Mrs. Fennel frowned. “Oh, well,” she stammered. “No, I meant…”

“Your sheltie is beautiful,” Kat said quickly. “What's his name?”

Mrs. Fennel's frown vanished. Her face lit up. “Why, thank you. His name is Clarke-Davis.”

Clarke-Davis?
Kat tried not to giggle again. “I love dogs,” she said. “May I pet him?”

“Certainly,” the woman replied, pleased.

Kat knelt beside the brown-and-white dog. Gently, she ran her hand over his back. “His hair is so soft,” she exclaimed.

“Well, I brush him twice a week. And then I have him clipped once a month.” The woman turned to Aunt Jenn. “My old groomer moved away last month. I was hoping you might be as good as him, although it's doubtful. No one, no one has ever had a way with Clarke-Davis like Roberto did.”

“And what about us?” It was the young man with the shih tzu in his lap. His dog was asleep, but he wasn't.

“Mr. Winston, you're welcome to leave Clyde here until I'm ready for him,” suggested Aunt Jenn. “I have several crates in the back room. He'd be quite comfortable there while he waits, and then you don't need to sit here with him.”

“Leave Clyde in a crate?” The man looked horrified. “Never.”

“Well, we'll just be a second,” explained Aunt Jenn. “Promise.”

She pointed to the room that she'd just come out of. “My grooming room.”

Kat peeked in. She saw two large grooming tables and two stand dryers. Several grooming brushes, clippers, shavers, shampoo bottles, and other equipment were scattered nearby.

Aunt Jenn opened a door to another large room with windows. There were several big crates lined up side by side. “This is where the dogs waiting to be groomed will stay. If their owners will let them!” She winked at Kat. “And the dogs I board will be lodged here as well. I guess I could call it the doggy day care room!”

She pointed to a stairway. “Up there is a large room where I can do some puppy training. And there's a big yard out back that I can use too. So you see? I'm all set!”

“And you're going to live here too?” Kat's father raised his eyebrows.

“Yup. There's another room upstairs that is now officially my bedroom. And there's a small bathroom and kitchen too,” said Aunt Jenn.

“Grooming, boarding, training… You're planning to do all of these, Jenn?” Mr. Reynolds asked doubtfully.

“Sure am,” Aunt Jenn said confidently, with a toss of her ponytail.

Mrs. Reynolds nudged her husband and turned to his younger sister. “It all looks wonderful,” she said firmly.

Aidan pulled out one of his earphones. “Very cool,” he agreed, nodding.

“Thanks, Reynolds family!” said Aunt Jenn with a grin.

As Kat's parents and Aidan went back out to the reception room, Aunt Jenn motioned to Kat and Maya to stay behind. “I don't really want your dad to know this yet, Kat,” she said quietly. “He'll just think I'm in over my head. But…well, I have a little surprise to show you girls.”

Kat and Maya stared at one another. What could it be?

“Follow me,” said Aunt Jenn. She led them to the far side of the room. A crate sat under the window in the sunshine. But it wasn't empty.

“Oh!” Kat breathed.

“A puppy!” said Maya.

A golden-yellow puppy lay in a corner of the crate all curled up, sleeping peacefully. But he must have heard the girls' voices, because just then he woke up.

He lifted his head and looked at the girls with his beautiful blue eyes. Then he jumped to his feet and wagged his tail energetically.

Kat's heart melted.

“His name is Bailey,” explained Aunt Jenn. “He's a Labrador retriever pup. He's only eight weeks old. His owner, Kelly, has only had him for a few days, but she found out last night that she has to go out of town for three days. There aren't many kennels nearby, and most of them are large. She didn't want to take him to a big kennel. She saw my sign, so she called just this morning to see if I'd take Bailey until she's back.” Aunt Jenn shrugged. “Look at him. I just had to say yes!”

Kat looked at the adorable little puppy. She knew exactly what Aunt Jenn meant. That was one of the things she loved about her aunt: she'd do anything to help a dog.

“I'll just have to scoot out here every once in a while to check in on him,” said Aunt Jenn. “And then tonight and tomorrow night, I'll bring his crate up to my bedroom. It should be fine.” It sounded like Aunt Jenn was trying to convince herself.

“Of course, it'll be fine,” Kat said reassuringly. She slipped her arm around Aunt Jenn's waist as they headed back to the front door. “Tails Up! is amazing, Aunt Jenn,” said Kat. “And so are you.”

“Totally amazing!” said Maya.

“It's like a dream come true, girls,” said Aunt Jenn. “Listen, I'm quite busy today—opening day and all—but I'm sure things will settle down by tomorrow. I'll have lots of free time in the days ahead. I'm sure it will take a while for word to get around about my new salon. So feel free to drop by anytime and keep me company. We can chat puppies together.”

“Tomorrow, after school? Can we come then?” Kat asked quickly.

“Please?” Maya added.

“Of course,” Aunt Jenn said with a smile.

The girls grinned at each other. It was a plan!