Dad gave her a warm smile. “Still freaked out by the attic, huh? It’s okay, I’ll go up and grab them later. Don’t worry, Ames, everyone’s scared of something.”

Dad went back to his office. Amy glanced back up at the shadowy door of the attic—and decided she couldn’t go back, not tonight. She’d make her presentation board tomorrow; she’d be cutting it close, but her nerves needed a break.

As she walked down to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, she saw Katie and Rover playing in the den. Rover was nuzzling Katie, making her giggle, just like any dog would … until he caught Amy’s stare. The dog raised his huge head, ears standing on end, and watched her intently.

Maybe Amy couldn’t hear Rover’s thoughts the way Katie did, but she felt like she could understand his message loud and clear.

I saved you up there. I did something I shouldn’t be able to do. You saw. You’re welcome.

Don’t tell anyone. Or next time, I’ll leave you there.

Chapter 9: Nobody’s Pet

When school finally ended on the day of the science fair, Amy dashed out to the parking lot and waited. Sure enough, Mom and Dad weren’t there yet, and a spike of anxiety ran through her. She paced and chewed her lip for ten minutes before the car pulled into the lot. Thankfully, Rover’s head was poking out the window, which meant everything was going according to plan.

While her parents got out, she jogged around to the side of the car and opened the back door. Rover sat there with Katie, his leash dangling from his neck, looking a little confused but otherwise as chill as ever. When Amy whistled for him, he hopped down and waited as she got her presentation board out of the trunk.

“Is this everything?” asked Mom, freeing Katie from her car seat.

“Should be,” said Amy, grabbing the board and the tote bag with her iPad in it. “Rover’s really the important part. Did you bring the cushion from his kennel for him to sit on?”

“It’s in the back seat,” said Dad. “Though I’m still not sure making the dog sit around in the middle of all that noise and craziness is a good idea. If he starts to act up—”

“He’ll be fine,” said Amy, her mind being pulled in a million directions. Of course Rover would be fine; Rover would sit quietly through a hurricane. There were more important things to consider.

Katie giggled as Rover licked her face while they headed into school. As they walked through the hall, one or two kids stopped to check out Rover and give him a pat or two. Rover seemed to take it all in stride, licking a hand here, nuzzling a shirt there, acting like a regular old dog.