Barnard and Davina stood close to Camilla. As the big dog squeezed in next to Camilla, it stepped right onto Davina’s toes. She yelped, pain etched across her face.
Staggering backward, Davina crashed into a nearby box that hadn’t been taped shut. Everything inside tumbled out—dog toys and clothes, all of them clearly for the Malamute.
She landed right on top, flattening the box and sending the dog stuff everywhere. One of the little dog sweaters landed at Barnard’s feet. He glanced down and saw his own name embroidered across the front.
That’s when the pieces clicked together. Both times the dog had freaked out—he finally understood why. He bent down to pick up the sweater for a better look, but the Malamute instantly snarled, furious.
Lance’s dog was fiercely protective. The second it saw Barnard touch its things, it lunged straight at him.
Barnard tried to defend himself, bracing with his leg, but this Malamute was nothing like Jasper’s gentle Snow.
The huge dog’s jaws clamped down on Barnard’s ankle before anyone knew what was happening.
Everything dissolved into chaos. Davina screamed, Daisy started to cry, and the racket echoed in the yard.
Barnard instinctively tried to shake the dog loose, but the Malamute just tightened its grip.
Davina could barely breathe from terror. She was too scared to get close, so she looked helplessly at Camilla. “Camilla, please, get your dog off him! Barnard and I are about to get married! He can’t be hurt now… What if something happens? What if he can’t walk? How are we supposed to have the wedding?”
Her eyes shone with tears, but her concern was all about the wedding, not Barnard himself.
Barnard’s face was a dark red, nearly purple, with anger and pain. He glared straight at Camilla. “Camilla, are you just going to stand there? Call your dog off, or I swear I’ll—”
“Barnard!” Camilla shouted his name. The Malamute snapped out of it, turning to look at her with big, confused eyes. Then it finally let go and rushed over to Camilla, tail wagging.
Barnard crumpled onto the ground, struggling to breathe through the pain.
Blood dripped steadily from his ankle, soaking into his sock. His eyes stayed locked on Camilla, sharp with rage and accusation. After two episodes in a row, he finally understood.
“Camilla, tell me,” he growled, “what’s this dog’s name?”



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