Bouquet: Sequel to 'In Full Bloom': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 3) Read Online Free Page A

has stopped shaking, but I am concerned about the pads of her feet,” she responded.
     
    “I saw the spots of blood in her tracks,” Mark said, moving over to them.  “Let me see.”
     
    Sami sat up and uncurled the blankets off Molly’s paw to allow Mark to view the pads — they were oozing small amounts of blood.  The snow, pine needles or ice, or the combination of the three, had cracked the pads. He was no vet, but he was experienced with cut paw pads from Ollie, his own dog.  During the blistering-hot, summer months, Ollie’s pads were assaulted by not only the fiery pavement, but by his frequent trips around the abrasive, cool deck of Mark’s swimming pool.  “They will heal,” Mark stated.  “For the next couple of days, we will need to cover them in plastic baggies when she goes outside to protect them from further damage.”
     
    “Should we treat the pads?” Grandma Jo asked.
     
    “If you like, we could put some antibiotic ointment and gauze on them to keep them clean and from dotting the floor with blood,” Mark offered.
     
    “Yes, let’s do that.  I don’t want her to suffer unnecessarily,” Sami stated.
     
    “I’ll get the bandages,” Grandma Jo volunteered.
     
    “You know where they are located?” Sami asked, confused.
     
    “We brought them with us,” she answered, darting off to the back rooms.
     
    “Right, I forgot,” Sami replied, looking at the cast on her left arm.
     
    “Your focus is on Molly,” Mark reassured her.
     
    “Yes.  Where did you find her?” Sami asked, looking at him thoughtfully.  “She was soaked to the skin.”
     
    “In the lake,” Mark answered truthfully.
     
    “Oh, no,” Sami cried.  “If you had not gone in search of her .  .  .”
     
    “But, I did,” Mark stated, seeing Sami shaking. “She will be fine.”
     
    “I am a failure,” Sami cried.
     
    “Wait!  Where did that come from?” Mark asked.
     
    “My purpose.  My purpose is to protect her.  I failed,” she answered.  “I should not have allowed you to take her outside.”
     
    “You gave the order, remember.  It was not my idea,” Mark defended himself.
     
    “Not true,” Sami yelled, getting to her feet.  “You want her dead!”
     
    “What?” he asked.  “Get real.”
     
    “You failed to watch her.  It is your fault,” Sami screamed.  Her tone and volume level caused Molly to whimper and stir.
     
    Mark reached out and stroked Molly.  “Sami, you are upsetting her.  Calm down,” he directed.  “If you want to pitch a fit, please wait until I have treated her feet.”
     
    Grandma Jo returned with the bag of bandages and dropped it near Mark before backing away from the very agitated, young woman. 
     
    “Focus on Molly.  I need your help with her feet.  Fight this urge, and get back down here, Sami,” Mark directed.
     
    Sami’s angry eyes dropped from him to see Molly squirming under Mark’s hand.  Kneeling, she cooed softly to Molly.  “Easy, girl.”
     
    Where is this ON/OFF switch? Mark thought to himself.  She could switch from one personality to the other in a split second.  Seeing Molly settle back against Sami, Mark made quick work of bandaging the dog’s paws.  “Don’t chew on these,” he instructed to Molly. Gathering the supplies back into the bag, he rose.
     
    “I am sorry,” Sami whispered.
     
    Mark froze as he heard her.  His insides flipped. She remembers , he thought.  Not wanting to push his luck, he replied without looking at her.  “Apology accepted.” Looking at Grandma Jo, he asked, “Where is that promised tea?”
     
    “Coming,” Grandma Jo answered, taking the bag of bandages out of Mark’s hand and turning towards the kitchen.  “Sit and warm up.”
     
    Mark looked at the comfy, inviting chair, but opted to remain standing.  Turning to the fireplace, he placed his hands on the mantel and lifted his cold foot to the flames, flexing his toes. 
     
    “Feeling returning?”