Free Flash Flood by DiAnn Mills

anything?”
    Deidre smiled. “The heart doesn’t understand logic and time. What about a stop at our favorite Bake Shoppe?”
    “Oh, why not. Lately I either have no appetite or consume everything in sight.”
    “You really have it bad.” When Deidre opened the door of the shop, the tantalizing smells of rich pastries and deli delights wafted around them.
    Alina enjoyed the specialties there, but today her heart longed for more than food.

eight
    Sunday, 2:30 p.m
.
    “How are you and Ryan getting along?” Marta asked as she and Alina rode horses across the pasture at Fred and Marta’s farm. Green spots showed here and there, with promises of spring, but March could deceive them with another jolt of ice and snow.
    “Nothing like being blunt.” Alina laughed, but the familiar ache swelled in her heart. “As well as can be expected. I think Ryan is pleased with our progress.”
    “You’ve had four full days together, and I don’t see any battle scars.”
    “None visible anyway,” Alina said.
    The radiant smile, so much a part of Marta, faded, and sympathy took its place. “I’m joking about working with Ryan, and truthfully I have no idea how difficult this must be for you. You’re in our prayers, and we will do all we can in your pursuit of another job. When Fred learned your position would be eliminated, he wanted to back out, but between the doctor, the kids, and me, we convinced him his health had to take priority. I hope you understand.”
    “I do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Really, I
was
angry when I first got the news about the buyout. Then when I learned the reasons why, I felt horrible for creating such a fuss.”
    Marta stopped her horse. “I’m going to tell you something, and I don’t want a word of it leaked out to the others.”
    The seriousness in Marta’s voice caused Alina to rein her horse in. “Of course. What’s wrong?”
    “Fred’s health is worse than what he’s telling people.”
    “Isn’t the medication helping?” Alina asked.
    “Yes, but he has to take off about thirty pounds. The stress is too much on his heart.” Marta shrugged. “Last week he had a spell, and I believe it fell under the category of a light heart attack. The doctor is talking about a quadruple bypass.”
    Alina gasped. “Are you sure? Have you obtained another opinion?”
    “Oh yes. They want him to have some additional testing and lose the weight before surgery. Naturally, Fred doesn’t have the time for such nonsense—as he puts it—until he gets a breather at work.”
    “That’s crazy. He needs to be in the hospital now. We can handle Flash.”
    Marta patted the mare’s neck. “He’d like to think he can’t leave the company for the surgery and required recuperation. In any event, if you’d remember him in your prayers, I’d appreciate it.”
    “You got it. I wonder if any of us could do anything to keep his life a little calmer.”
    “Whatever you do, it can’t look like it came from me, or I’m in trouble.”
    “I’ll run it by you before we act,” Alina said. “In the meantime, I’ll look for ways to eliminate any undue stress.”
    Marta shook her head. “Whatever stress you can keep from him is good. I want my Fred to enjoy retirement. He’s committed to the weight loss, but unloading work burdens is a whole new problem. That’s the real reason I wanted to know about your and Ryan’s working relationship. It’s a favor,
    I guess.”
    Alina took a deep breath, hoping the discussion didn’t venture too far into forbidden territory. “Ryan represents a level of professionalism that I need to attain. I have much to learn from him. Some of the others are bitter and blame Neon for pressuring Fred into selling, but I want to give them a good role model. Let’s pray God softens their hearts so the burden is less on Fred.”
    “Even though that’s not what happened? He contacted Neon to see if they were interested in purchasing Flash.”
    Alina hesitated. She