Bailey by Susan Hughes Page B

girls headed toward the school.
    â€œOkay, okay,” Kat said quickly. “Remember I told you my aunt Jenn was opening a dog-grooming salon?”
    â€œOf course, I remember,” Maya replied, rolling her eyes.
    â€œLines, students! Get in your lines!” the teacher shouted again.
    â€œWell, it’s opening today! Aunt Jenn called to let us know last night,” explained Kat. “My mom and dad are going to finish work early, so we can go and see her place after school. And they said you can come with us. If you want.”
    â€œThat’s so cool! We can ask my mom at lunch.” Maya looked excited. The girls took turns going to each other’s houses at lunchtime. Today it was Kat’s turn to go to Maya’s house.
    â€œMiss Reynolds? Do you have somewhere you need to be?” It was the recess-duty teacher. She looked at Kat pointedly.
    â€œRight. See you, Maya,” Kat said, and off she hurried. She couldn’t wait until this afternoon!

“There it is! Aunt Jenn’s place: Tails Up! Boarding and Grooming,” cried Kat, reading the sign.
    She and Maya ran ahead of the rest of the family, past the barber shop, the bank, and the hardware store. Then they waited impatiently for everyone to catch up.
    Kat’s father, Mr. Reynolds, frowned as he came up and read a sign in the store window. “ Walk-ins are welcome. Don’t most dogs walk in?” he asked. “Though, I guess some dogs might have dirty paws, so carrying them in would be better.”
    â€œFunny, Dad.” Kat grinned. “You know it means that people don’t have to make appointments ahead of time. They can just walk in with their dogs.”
    â€œOh, yeah. Right,” Mr. Reynolds said, grinning back at her.
    But then he frowned for real. “I just hope Jenn can handle it all. Your aunt is a very enthusiastic person—especially when it comes to dogs. I love her dearly. But sometimes she can get a bit carried away with her projects.”
    â€œOh, Robert,” said Mrs. Reynolds. “You worry too much about your sister! I’m sure she’ll be fine. Come on, gang. Let’s go in.”

    â€œYeah, let’s go,” said Kat. She and Maya led the way into Tails Up!
    The waiting room had a small couch and three chairs. There was a scale and shelves lined with bags of dog food. At the front desk was a computer, a cash register, and a phone.
    There were two customers waiting in the little room. One was a young man who sat with a white shih tzu on his lap. The other was a woman with a long-haired Shetland sheepdog lying at her feet. Both customers looked impatient.
    Just then, Aunt Jenn came flying out of a room in the back. She wore a white grooming coat. Her brown hair was mostly pulled back in a ponytail. A few stray hairs frizzed around her forehead. With her was a thin man holding a tiny Chihuahua.
    â€œSo how was she?” the man asked nervously. “It was Chiquita’s first time being groomed.”
    â€œShe was a natural. Very calm,” Aunt Jenn said. “It was a pleasure to groom her.”
    The man smiled, relieved. He quickly paid his bill and left.
    â€œAnd now, hello to you, my loyal family!” Aunt Jenn cried, hurrying toward them with her arms open. She gave each family member a huge hug. “Hello, my Kitty-Kat,” she said. That was her special name for Kat. She lifted Kat right off her feet!
    Then she turned to Maya. “And my most-special niece’s most-special friend, you came too!” And Maya was swept up in a hug as well.
    â€œThe place looks fantastic!” Mrs. Reynolds said.
    â€œYes, well done,” Mr. Reynolds added. Aunt Jenn plastered a kiss on his cheek. He patted her on the back awkwardly.
    â€œOh, it is so nice to have a fan club,” Aunt Jenn said, pleased. “Would you all like a tour? This, of course, is the reception area,” she said, throwing her arms wide. “When I