A Moment To Dance by Jennifer Faye Read Free Book Online Page B

my proposal?”
    “Uncle Tony! Uncle Tony!”
    They both turned to find Johnny running toward them, his arms pumping and his little legs pounding the ground. What the…?
    “What are you doing here?” Tony approached his nephew. His gut churned with unease. “You’re supposed to be at Melissa’s place, working on your science project with Bobby.”
    The boy sniffled, wiping his tears with his arm. “I was worried about Patch. He didn’t eat this morning.”
    “Calm down, little man. Maybe he just wasn’t hungry.”
    “Uh-uh.” Johnny shook his head. “Something’s wrong with him. I don’t want him to die, too.”
    Sympathy washed over Tony as he crouched down to talk to the boy. “Does Bobby’s mother know you’re here?”
    Johnny nodded. “She brought me home so I could check on Patch.”
    “She did? But I was going to pick you up later.”
    “Bobby’s mom said she didn’t mind. She wanted to talk to Grandma about the dance contest.”
    The dance seemed to be the only thing on people’s minds anymore. His mother had certainly thought up a very popular fundraiser. He was proud of her, but he wished he could have been left out of the entire affair.
    Tony escorted his nephew to a bench on the patio. He glanced up, catching Ella’s concerned gaze. He turned back to Johnny and put his arm over the boy’s slim shoulders. “I know you’re worried about the puppy, but I want you to listen to me. This morning the vet said we can only do so much for him. The rest is up to the little guy.” They talked for a minute before Tony got to his feet. “I’ll be back. I’m going to go thank Melissa for bringing you home. I’m sure Miss Morgan won’t mind keeping you company.”
    Johnny’s wary gaze moved to Ella. “I don’t need her to watch me. I’m not a baby.”
    “No one called you a baby. Now sit and don’t move.”
    ♥♥♥
    Talk about bad timing.
    Tony had just been starting to let down his guard and let her in. And though Ella knew better, she’d liked it—she liked him. The burly giant had a heart of gold. And he loved his nephew. That was abundantly clear.
    Ella moved to the bench and gazed down at Johnny. “Mind if I join you?”
    The boy shrugged and scooted to the far end of the bench. For a long time, neither spoke. Ella, having lost her own mother at about his age, felt an immediate bond with the boy. She wanted to reach out to him and let him know he wasn’t alone, that she understood his deep, agonizing grief. The words teetered on the tip of her tongue, but she hesitated. Experience told her those words coming from a stranger wouldn’t be of any comfort.
    “Uncle Tony just has to make Patch better.”
    She had to strain to hear Johnny’s mumbled words. “I hope he can. Patch is very lucky you found him. You saved his life.”
    Johnny looked up at her. “You helped.”
    She smiled, feeling the beginning of a friendship firming up. In truth, she hadn’t done much, but her chest warmed at the boy’s insistence that she’d assisted in some small way. “I’m glad I was there at the right time.”
    A couple of minutes later, Tony exited the ranch house and approached them.
    “Can we go take care of Patch now?” Johnny sent his uncle an expectant look. “You have to get him to eat.”
    Tony’s shoulders slumped. “Johnny, you must realize that even if he recovers, it doesn’t change the fact we can’t keep him.”
    “Just don’t let him die.” Johnny’s voice cracked with raw emotion.
    “Did you try canned puppy food?” Ella piped in, grasping for anything that might help. “I bet that’s pretty appetizing and easy to digest.”
    “I picked some up when I ran errands in town this morning,” Tony said. “Wait here. I’ll run and grab it from the truck.” In no time at all, he returned with a small paper bag in hand. “Okay, let’s go.”
    Johnny rushed to his uncle’s side, but then he paused and turned to Ellie. “Do you want to come see Patch?”
    She