Free Uncovering Secrets: The Third Novel in the Rosemont Series by Barbara Hinske

good patient you are,” he praised. “Best one all night.” Nicole
smiled. “I’m going to look into your eyes, now. The light is real bright, but
it won’t take me long.” He finished his examination.
    “Okay,
good job,” he said to Nicole. “You can lay back down while your mother and I
talk.” He turned to Loretta.
    “She’s
a bit congested, which is consistent with the cold you mentioned. Her throat
looks fine. Ordinarily, I’d say there’s nothing else wrong with this child. But
she’s unusually lethargic and the swelling is a concern.”
    “So
what do we do?” Loretta asked.
    “I’d
recommend a urine test and a blood test,” he said. “They’ll give us more
information to go on.”
    “What
could it be?” Loretta asked, unable to conceal her alarm.
    “I
honestly think she has nothing more than a lingering cold. Anything else would
be very rare. Let’s not worry about that until we get the results of the
tests.”
    “Okay,”
Loretta replied. “Do you do that here?”
    “We
can,” he said. “But the tests will be much cheaper if you have your primary
care doctor do them.”
    Loretta
nodded.
    “We’ve
got your doctor’s information here,” he said, pointing to his tablet. “I’ll
send my report to him before I leave tonight.
    “Thank
you, Doctor,” Loretta said as she reached over to rouse Nicole.
    “Get
her in to see your primary as soon as possible, and go home and get some rest,”
he said kindly. “Moms need to take care of themselves, too.”

Chapter 18
    True to his word, John collected enough names to
persuade the agility trainer to start a class in Westbury. The first class was
scheduled for the dog park on Saturday morning at eight o’clock.
    Frank
Haynes groaned when his alarm went off at six thirty that Saturday. He pushed
himself out of bed and could see that Sally, his border collie mix, had no
interest in leaving her warm bed, either.
    “Come
on, girl,” he cajoled. “This is for you. It’s gonna be fun.”
    The
dog thumped her tail tentatively.
    Haynes
clapped his hands, and she dutifully rolled out of her blanket and followed him
to the kitchen.
    ***
    David and Dodger were already streaking around the
agility course when Frank Haynes and Sally arrived shortly before eight. Haynes
thought he recognized an assistant manager from one of his restaurants and
nodded at the woman, who beamed in return. He hoped he wouldn’t be called upon
to remember her name.
    The
instructor quickly took charge, issuing orders in equal measure to the dogs and
their handlers. Haynes was pleased to see that David hung on her every word and
easily implemented her advice. He and Sally, however, were another matter. At
the halfway point in the lesson, the instructor divided the group in two. He
and Sally were consigned to the remedial group. Even so, it was invigorating to
be up and outside on a Saturday morning, instead of drinking his fifth cup of
coffee while pouring over the cash flow statements of Haynes Enterprises. And
Sally was having fun.
    The
instructor reunited the groups to hand out homework for the next week. Frank
knew he wouldn’t look at the assignments. David, however, was studying the
paper she gave him and asking questions. He turned to Haynes. “This doesn’t
seem too hard. Dodger’s got most of this down already.”
    Haynes
smiled. “I’m not sure Sally and I are cut out for this.”
    “Don’t
be discouraged,” David replied. “This was only your first time.” He knelt to
pet Sally. “Border collies are naturals at this agility stuff. You just need to
practice with her.” He brought his head up and looked at Haynes. “Why don’t we
practice together, Mr. Haynes? I can help you with Sally—just to get you
two started.”
    Haynes
opened his mouth to dismiss the idea, but something in the boy’s expression
stopped him. When was the last time anyone offered to help him with anything?
“All right,” Haynes said slowly, a smile stealing across his lips.