"Pepper?" Annie scanned the area, expecting to see her little companion sitting by the pond or sniffing at the grass near her truck. She peeked under the truck, then behind it. No Pepper.

That’s when she noticed the food truck’s side door, usually latched shut, was slightly ajar. A chill ran down her spine. Had it been left open in the morning rush? Or had someone—or something—opened it?

Her pulse quickened. Pepper never wandered far.

“Pepper!” she called again, louder this time, her voice cutting through the cheerful bustle of the park. A few customers turned, brows furrowed.

“Did she slip away?” asked Dottie, her floppy hat tilting as she craned her neck to look around.

“She never leaves the truck,” Annie murmured, wiping her hands on her apron as worry bubbled up.

The usual charm of the park now felt overwhelming—the sprawling paths, the crowd of dog owners and their playful pups, and the ducks quacking softly as they floated across the pond. How could she search for Pepper when there were so many places she could be?

She glanced at the leash hook dangling from the food truck’s side. Empty.

A pawprint smudge near the open door caught Annie’s eye, but before she could investigate further, Max stepped closer. “Do you need help?” he asked, his voice sharp with concern.

Annie locked up the truck and took a deep breath. “I’ll figure it out. But if you see Pepper... let me know.”

Somewhere in the park, Pepper was waiting to be found. But why did Annie feel like something wasn’t right?