“The Rock,” he said dryly. He was leading Tank and Big B while she had Dougie’s lead. They’d left Gummy back at the house with Princess Priss. She hadn’t looked like she was in the mood for a walk.
Maya giggled. “No, Papa! It looks like the Eiffel Tower.”
“Ahh, I can see that. Now, stop running around. You’re going to trip or stub your toe.”
They were walking along by the river and he was worried she might slip and fall in. She rolled her eyes at him.
“No rolling your eyes,” he warned.
“Papa, don’t be such a worrywart. I’m fine.” She bounced away and picked up another stone. “Oh, this will be great to skip through the water.” She bent and drew her arm back, letting it fly. It sunk straight into the water.
“Oh, bummer! I need another one.” She searched around.
“Maya, come away from the river. Now,” he warned.
“But I’m just looking for another stone. Ohh!” she cried, her arms windmilling as she tried to keep her balance.
Matthieu jumped forward, knowing he was going to be too late. She fell right into the water.
He dropped the leads, hoping the animals wouldn’t leave and raced to her. But she was already standing and climbing out of the river.
“Shit! Maya! I told you to stay away from the river and to be careful.”
“I’m sorry, Papa.”
Poor thing looked miserable. He guided her back to the animals. To his shock, Tank had Dougie’s lead in his mouth. Dougie was trying to get to them and Tank was holding him back.
That dog was extremely smart.
“Good boy, Tank,” he said. “Hold him for me a bit longer. Good girl, Big B.”
Big Berry snuffled at him from where she stood next to Tank.
He’d thought Big B would stay put and that Tank would stay with her. Dougie was the wildcard, though. And Tank had obviously thought the same.
“Let’s get you dry,” he said to Maya, whose teeth were chattering. They drew off her wet clothes and then he removed his shirt and undershirt. He used his undershirt to dry her before pulling the shirt over her head and bundling up her clothes to carry.
“Th-thanks,” she said as she slid her feet into her wet shoes with a grimace. He couldn’t do anything about her wet shoes, but couldn’t walk in them or she’d rub her feet raw.
He took the leads back into one hand and held her clothes in the other. Then he turned and crouched down. “On you get.”
Maya was freezing.
She was miserable.
What had started out as a really fun walk had now become the absolute pits.
And now, she was also confused as she stared at Matthieu’s back.
“What?”
“Get on, Bébé,” he said with waning patience in his voice.
“Why?”
“I can’t carry you when I have the animals and your clothes to deal with. So I’ll piggyback you.”
“Oh, I can walk.”
