Free Fire and Ice by Susan Page Davis

information in case we decide to sell later on, but for the time being, the Hollands are staying put.”
    The nurse entered the room with a clipboard in her hand. “I’m sorry, folks, but Mr. Holland needs some rest now.”
    “I’m sure he does.” Robyn jumped up, ready to help get Grandpa back to bed if she was needed.
    Sterns said to Cheryl, “I’ll come up to Wasilla in the morning, then, and get the four dogs I’m buying, if that’s all right with you.”
    “Uh, Mr. Sterns?” Robyn shot a quick glance at Grandpa.
    “Yes?”
    “We’re keeping Tumble. Grandpa and I agree he’s an essential part of Holland Kennel right now.”
    Grandpa nodded. “That’s right. Tumble has never been for sale. But we can offer you one of his sons who would—”
    A flicker of darkness crossed Sterns’s face and he exhaled sharply. “I thought we had a deal.”
    Mom stepped forward with a look of alarm. “I believe you asked Robyn to think it over.”
    “You’ve wasted my time.”
    Robyn said hastily, “I’m sorry, sir, but we’re keeping Tumble. We haven’t advertised him for sale, and I told you yesterday I didn’t want to sell him. If that means you don’t want the three female dogs, either …”
    He looked at her sharply then flicked a glance toward Grandpa, who sagged a little in his chair.
    “Folks,” the nurse said, “I really must ask you to leave.”
    Sterns locked gazes with Robyn again. “I’ll let you know tomorrow.”

six
    Sterns exited abruptly, and Robyn and her mother kissed Grandpa good night and left.
    “Mom, I’m sorry things went badly in there,” Robyn said as they walked toward the car.
    “No, honey, don’t be. You were wonderful. He was rude and made assumptions he shouldn’t have made. I’ll be glad to see the back of him tomorrow.”
    “Me, too.”
    Mom smiled at her as she unlocked the car. “Are you sure you want to sell him any of your babies?”
    Robyn swallowed hard. “I think we have to. We need to order more meat for the dogs, and we’ll have a lot of expenses while we get ready for the race. But I’m glad Grandpa wouldn’t sell Tumble.”
    “So am I,” Mom admitted. “He personally raised that dog, and I know Tumble is one of his favorites.”
    Robyn drove home and found Darby’s note saying her father had driven her over and helped her feed all of the dogs their suppers. The temperature had dropped to ten below zero. Robyn made a brief round of the kennels and made sure all of the animals were snug in their shelters. She’d put extra straw bedding in the doghouses that morning, and all were settled down for the night. The puppies slept together in a jumbled pile in their communal shelter. She checked the padlock on the barn, reflecting that if Sterns didn’t buy the dogs he’d picked out, she’d have to dip into her meager savings account to pay for the next shipment of dog food.
    Snow began to fall as she went into the house. She took off her boots and work jacket near the back door.
    Her mother, already in her bathrobe, sat at the kitchen table with a mug of tea. “Everything okay?”
    “Yes,” Robyn said. She walked to the stove and lifted the teakettle. It held plenty of hot water, so she opened the cupboard to get herself a mug. As she turned around, the glow of headlights swept over the walls.
    “Someone’s here.” Her mother rose and walked to the window. “Looks like Rick’s truck. I’m not dressed for company. Would you mind if I disappeared?”
    “That’s fine.” A shiver of anticipation propelled Robyn to the front door before he even knocked. Over the last few days, Rick had paid a lot of attention to her and her family. Was it just neighborliness, or was her wish coming true? In the midst of the stress and sadness she’d encountered, Rick was the one bright spot of her days. But she didn’t dare count on that continuing. If he backed off once this crisis passed, the disappointment would be too great.

    Rick drove into the