Free Huckleberry Hearts by Jennifer Beckstrand Page B

sweeping the dog.”
    Cassie looked down. She was indeed brushing the broom back and forth across Sparky’s back. The unconventional fur cleaning hadn’t disturbed Mammi’s little white dog in the least. She remained fast asleep in the corner next to the stove.
    Cassie pulled the broom away and gazed at it as if it were a foreign object. What had she been thinking? How could the thought of a crooked nose distract her so thoroughly?
    The recliner squeaked as Mammi shifted in it.
    â€œAre you okay, Mammi?”
    Mammi opened her eyes. “The pain medicine helps my foot, but it makes me feel like I’m floating away on a cloud. And I can’t steer a cloud. I think I’d rather have control of all my faculties. There’s still so much to be arranged. Who’s going to do the arranging?”
    â€œYou just need to concentrate on feeling better, Mammi. Everything will still be here when you’re on your feet again.”
    â€œThe doctor won’t. How am I supposed to work things out with the doctor if I can’t even steer my cloud?”
    Dawdi dried his hands before sitting on the sofa next to the recliner. “You’ve arranged things just fine yet, Annie.”
    She smiled and patted Dawdi’s hand. “I suppose I have. But I’d rather not sleep through all the fun.”
    â€œI’ll wake you if anything exciting happens.” He turned and looked at Cassie. “But right now, she’s just sweeping.”
    Cassie made her expression as earnest as possible. “I promise if I do anything exciting, you’ll be the first to know. But studying for the GRE is about as boring as watching paint dry.”
    Someone knocked softly on the door as if they didn’t want to be heard. Sparky, who hadn’t woken up when Cassie swept her, immediately lifted her head and barked.
    Mammi seemed to perk up as well. “No need to wake me, Felty. I’m ready for the excitement.”
    Cassie propped the broom against the wall and answered the door. The sight of Dr. Reynolds standing there with a crooked nose and a bright red scarf tied around his neck almost took her breath away. It was a good thing she wholeheartedly disliked him or she’d be in some danger of being pulled in by his good looks.
    He eyed her doubtfully. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I had to make sure everything was okay. Your mammi—”
    â€œTell him to come in,” Mammi called from across the room.
    â€œOh,” Cassie said, stepping back and holding on to the doorknob as if it were a trusted friend. “Please come in, Doctor. I didn’t expect to see you.”
    Pulling the beanie off his head, he stepped tentatively into the room. “I apologize.”
    â€œNo apology necessary,” Dawdi said, jumping to his feet. He strode across the room and shook the doctor’s hand vigorously. “Anna will feel much better now that you’re here.”
    â€œI know this is unconventional,” the doctor said, “but Anna called and the answering service said it sounded urgent, but no one answered when I tried calling back. I got worried. If she were my mom, I would want the doctor to come and check on her.”
    â€œMammi called you?”
    He glanced at Cassie as if asking forgiveness for every bad thing he’d ever done. She was nearly inclined to give it to him. Darn that crooked nose!
    â€œCome and let me have a look at you,” Mammi said.
    Dr. Reynolds gave Sparky a pat before walking past Cassie to the recliner. “Is everything okay? They said you sounded very upset over the phone. How is the pain?”
    â€œShe’s on a cloud,” Dawdi said. “I think she’s feeling fine.”
    Zach nodded and got on one knee next to the recliner. “Can I do anything for you? Are you drinking plenty of liquids?”
    â€œI’m feeling much better now,” Mammi said. “There’s nothing quite like a doctor