บท 40: Chapter 40

“I’ll give you a treat when we get back to the house, okay?” he told the dog.

Wondering if the horse would allow it, Barry reached up and stroked the fur—did horses have fur—on the side of his head. The horse pressed into the touch and made more soft snorting noises.

“You’re a good boy.”

Rex whined.

Barry turned to face the dog. “And you’re a good boy, too.” Addressing both animals, he continued, “I hope you two aren’t going to become the four legged equivalents of Jimmy and Jake. The horse nudged Barry’s arm and Barry turned to face him. “What?”

The horse snorted and shook his head.

“I don’t have any more dog treats. And even if I did,” Barry looked down at Rex, “he’d probably get upset if I gave them to you.” Barry’s arm was bumped again. “I’m sorry, buddy, I have enough trouble understanding him. Heck, Jimmy and Jake are sometimes a mystery, so you I’m at a real loss with.” He wished now he’d stayed on that donkey.