Halfway down the aisle, Rex slowed again. His head snapped sharply toward the far corner of the church, where a small table was stacked high with wrapped wedding gifts, covered in colorful paper and silky ribbons. He paused abruptly, his nostrils flaring wide, his body tightening as if an invisible force was pulling him toward that table.
Lucy sensed the shift instantly. She adjusted her stance, guiding Rex forward without stopping to avoid drawing attention. Rex obeyed her silent direction—but his focus stayed locked on the gift table, throwing one last sharp glance back at it before he continued down the aisle. A soft murmur rippled through the front rows of guests.
Lucy let out a nervous laugh and kept walking, Rex following close behind with a stiff, deliberate gait, still sniffing the air constantly as they neared the altar. She frowned to herself, then pushed the uneasy thought away. Even the best-trained K9s could get overwhelmed by big crowds. Weddings were never routine work for a police dog.
