Read Online Fire and Ice by Susan Page Davis - Free Book Online Page A

see. It’s me. My medical expenses. Well, I tell you what, I can walk out of here today. I don’t have to stay in here six weeks, or even two weeks, no matter what that therapist says.” He threw back the bedclothes and thrust his legs over the side of the bed.
    “No, Grandpa,” Robyn said quickly. She reached to take his arm, but he had already pushed off the bed.
    Almost at once his knees buckled, and he collapsed against her.
    Mom stifled a cry and leaped to help Robyn get him back on the bed.
    He lay there with his eyes nearly closed, panting.
    “Let’s not have any more stunts like that one,” Mom said in a tight voice. “You need this treatment. I won’t argue about it.”
    “You can’t sell off all the dogs,” he choked. “Robyn knows which ones she needs to keep and which ones to let go. Don’t you, Robby?”
    “Yes, Grandpa.” She took his hand and squeezed it.
    “Dad …” Mom’s face radiated pain as she looked down at him. Her eyes glistened, and tears spilled down her cheeks.
    “Don’t cry,” he said. “We’ll sell a few dogs and we’ll get by.”
    Slowly Mom sat down. “I guess this would not be a good time to suggest selling the homestead.”
    Grandpa stared at her for a long moment, then looked away. No one spoke for a minute.
    “Grandpa, I don’t think we need to think about that,” Robyn said softly. “If the bills are too big, then I could get a job, too. And if we need to sell more dogs, we will, though I’d like to keep our foundation stock so that we can keep breeding. But if worse comes to worst—”
    “She’s right,” Mom said. “I never should have considered it. I’ll tell Mr. Sterns—”
    “Who?”
    “The man who’s buying the dogs. I’ll tell him we’re not selling the house.”
    “Wait, wait, wait.” Grandpa grabbed her sleeve. “The man buying the dogs—the one who wants Tumble—also wants to buy our property?”
    Mom shifted uneasily. “He mentioned that he was looking for a place in the area. But I can see you don’t want to consider that.”
    “What would we do?” Grandpa asked. “Where would we live?”
    “I … don’t know.”
    Robyn’s throat constricted as she watched Grandpa’s face. The unspoken thought hung in the air—that he might never go home to live with them again.
    “I’d like to meet this fellow,” he said.
    “Oh, that’s not necessary.” Mom leaned forward, her brow furrowed. “I’ll explain to him that I spoke prematurely. And I’m sorry. Truly sorry. I hadn’t stopped to consider how you or Robyn would feel before I mentioned it to him.”
    “No, I’m serious.” Grandpa nodded. “If things are bad enough to make you think like that, then maybe we do need to take drastic measures. And even if we’re not selling more than a few team dogs to this man, I’d like to get a look at him. I’m a pretty good judge of character. I’d like to talk to him and make sure he knows how to handle good dogs. I won’t sell—or let Robyn sell—Holland dogs to just anyone. I’d rather starve first.”
    Robyn’s pride welled up, and she wiped an errant tear from her cheek. She’d seen Grandpa turn away a buyer once because he’d heard the man treated his dogs poorly. “I love you, Grandpa.” She leaned down and kissed the top of his head.
    Mom let out a sigh and managed a wobbly smile. “All right. Shall I call him and see if he can come here to meet you? He’s staying nearby in a hotel.”
    “Sure,” Grandpa said. “I’ll put on my best bathrobe.”
    Robyn laughed. “I’ll help you get ready. Anything you need, just ask me.” She looked at her mother. “And thanks, Mom. I think we’ll all feel better if Grandpa’s in on this decision.”
    “You could handle the sale by yourself,” Grandpa said grudgingly. “You know enough about dogs—what they’re capable of and exactly what they’re worth.”
    “Thanks for trusting me, but as you said, you’re a pretty good judge of people.”
    “That’s