PUNCH “Rise and shine, sweetheart!” Jonas emptied the remains of a dog food bag into the plastic dish until it overflowed, then tossed the bag in the vicinity of the kitchen trash can. “Eat up, Trix, and then we’re gone. I intend to surprise a certain bird by arriving early.” Jonas pulled on his black parka and a wool stocking cap, then draped a set of binoculars around his neck. Jamming a couple of shabby bird books and a handheld video camera in one roomy pocket, then a handful of dog biscuits in the other, he stuck a glazed doughnut between his teeth and shoved the rest of the box in his backpack. With so much work piled on his desk, he had no business taking a day to play in the woods with Dr. Stuck-Up. Still, he’d promised the Lord. And Emilie had agreed to come. Who knows? Their outing might prove to be more entertaining than he expected. Grabbing a thermos of hot, black coffee, he headed for the garage with Trix circling his thighs. Like all retrievers, she knew the drill, knew they were heading for a day in the field, and could scarcely contain her excitement.
