Chapter 352: Girlfriend

Still flustered, mind whirling over the discovery of another piece of the treasure puzzle, I let Petunia set the pace when she protested with a groan and a loud and fragrant passing of gas that made me laugh out loud. She sat a moment, staring up at me with those huge, brown eyes, not exactly accusatory but at least asking for mercy and, despite knowing her return to flatulence and rotundity was all her own fault for begging for more food than was good for her, I gave her a scratch behind one ear and down her ruff, hearing her groan again though this time with delight and appreciation.

With Petunia forcing me into an amble that included the occasional pause to smell things that didn't exist and huff under her breath when scampering squirrels decided teasing her was on the agenda, I had time to ponder both of the mysteries in front of me despite my renewed hyper focus on the treasure.