As the dog’s leg slipped free, Maya lost her footing. Her heel sank into the soft ground, and before she could catch herself, she tumbled backward with a muffled grunt. Her poncho hit the mud with a slap. She lay there for a moment, winded, rain spattering across her face.
She scrambled upright, gripping the fence with one glove, heart hammering. Her knees throbbed from the fall, but she forced herself up, casting a wary glance toward the dog. Was it going to lunge? Bite? But it just stood there—still, silent—watching her.