When Pigs and Parrots Fly by Gail Sattler Page B

Whisperer, and the one source that had claimed being a ‘Pet Whisperer’ involved a psychic connection with pets. She certainly didn’t have that, or even believe in stuff like that. In the Bible, God told people to stay away from wizardry or anything like it, which to her included alleged psychic connections, especially with animals.
    For her, just like a computer programmer had a special ability to understand computer language and code, as a veterinarian, she had a natural ability to read body language in most common house pets, to understand how the pet felt, and how to speak and how to use her own body language to handle the animal. There was nothing psychic about that, only knowing to be sensitive and understand body language in both humans and animals.
    It was no different than knowing never to make eye contact with a wild bear should a person come face-to-face with one in the wilderness, or to know to do the opposite with a cougar by never backing down or breaking eye contact. Only her interactions were with house pets, which were far less dangerous and much more predictable.
    â€œNo, I’m not really a Pet Whisperer.”
    He continued to shake her hand, so flummoxed that he didn’t seem to know what he was doing. “You don’t have to be so modest. I know people who went to see you on Saturday, and after only two days, they’re already having success using your techniques. I would be honored if you would come to the school for career day. I can block out any time you want, just pick a time that works for you.”
    Sarah gulped. “I don’t know.”
    Richard gave her hand one last shake. “I have your card. I’ll call your office. I have to get ready to go on stage. Thank you from me personally and for all the kids.”
    The kids. No pressure .
    Before she could protest again, Richard was gone.
    Beside her, Josh snickered. “I guess that makes it official. I should probably be honored to be in your presence.”
    She smacked him in the arm with her purse. “Knock it off. Now be quiet and let’s find a seat and watch the play. Then we’re going to leave. Fast.”
    Josh shook his head. “Sorry, but we have to stay to the end. While you were talking to Richard, some kids surrounded me and Hayden and sold us raffle tickets for a bunch of door prizes. The rules are that if your name is drawn, you have to be present to win, or you forfeit the prize and they’ll draw another name. We paid for the tickets, so we don’t want to miss out if our names are drawn. Sorry.”
    Sarah gritted her teeth. She’d hoped to sneak out so maybe Richard would forget that he’d talked to her. She’d always hated public speaking, and she’d never been good at facing a crowd.
    But then again, this wasn’t a real crowd. It was only school children, who would be a much less critical audience.
    She forced herself to smile. She could do this and not faint. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s just go in and enjoy the show.”

Chapter 5
    J osh wondered what Sarah would say when he told her she snored. Loud. The woman was not a pretty sleeper.
    He knew she was tired, so after he’d filled her tummy with their usual feast of Tuesday night Chinese food, he’d told her to relax while he cleaned up. He’d expected her to curl up at one end of the couch, cuddle up with the brown pillow she liked so much, tuck her hands under her cheek, and with her eyes closed, she’d dose off in perfect peace like an angel.
    Instead, she slept on her back, her mouth wide open, sprawled out arms and legs akimbo, taking up nearly the whole couch. Snoring.
    He liked a woman who wasn’t afraid to let a friend see her true self. While he worked on finding his Ms. Right, who certainly wasn’t Crystal, that was one of the things he was adding to his list—someone unpretentious, just like Sarah.
    He couldn’t help but smile as he