Hotel For Dogs by Lois Duncan Read Free Book Online

reaching its end when the phone rang. Aunt Alice rushed to answer it. A few moments later she returned to the table, shaking her white head regretfully.
    “The saddest thing has happened,” she said. “That was Mrs. Gordon on the phone. She called to tell us that Jerry’s dog is missing.”
    “That big red setter?” Mr. Walker looked up in surprise. “Why, I thought I saw the kids out playing with him yesterday.”
    “They’re afraid the dog may have been stolen,”Aunt Alice said. “He’s quite valuable, you know. Either that or he’s run off somewhere. Children, be sure to keep your eyes open for him when you’re outside playing.”
    “If he’s run off, he’ll be back,” Mr. Walker said. “When a pet gets hungry enough, it comes home.”
    “I hope he doesn’t,” Bruce said. “I hope he finds himself another home and never shows up around here again.”
    “Why, Bruce!” His mother turned to him in amazement. “What a terrible thing to say!”
    “I can’t believe that of our sweet, kind Bruce!” Aunt Alice looked shocked. “Even if you and Jerry have had a spat, dear, you can’t wish for something awful like that. Why, think how heartbroken he must be!”
    “If he is,” Bruce said, “it’s because he’s lost something that belongs to him, not because he loves Red Rover. He’s so used to having everything just how he wants it that he’s mad now because it isn’t, that’s all.”
    “Bruce, dear —” His mother caught his eye and raised her brows in a little that’s-enough-for-now expression.
    “May I be excused, please?” Andi asked.
    From her face, Bruce could tell that she had not been listening to any part of the conversation. Her whole mind was at the dog hotel with Friday and the puppies.
    “Don’t bother with clearing or anything,” she said sweetly to her mother and Aunt Alice. “I’ll do the cleanup.”
    “Why, Andi, that’s three dinners in a row!” Aunt Alice beamed at her great-niece. “What a thoughtful little girl you are! Your mother is so lucky to have such a helper in the family!”
    “Yes, indeed,” Mrs. Walker said doubtfully. Both her parents were looking at Andi in a funny way.
    “I like to help,” Andi said. “It’s practice for when I’m grown and have my own kitchen.” Hopping up from her chair, she began to carry out the dishes.
    When Bruce came out to the kitchen a few minutes later, Andi was standing with her back toward him. When the door swung open, she bent over to conceal what she was doing.
    “It’s just me.” Bruce let the door swing closed behind him. “What are you trying to do, make the whole family suspicious? All that ‘I like to help’ business. Couldn’t you see Mom looking at you like she thought you were sick or something?”
    “Well, it wasn’t all a lie,” Andi said defensively. “I
will
have a kitchen of my own someday. Of course, by that time I expect to be rich and famous enough to hire maids to take care of it.”
    “You’d better start wishing yourself rich right now,” Bruce said. “At least, rich enough to buy some dog food. You know you’re not going to get away with this for long.” He gestured toward the bowl of chicken and vegetables that his sister had been filling when he entered.
    “I don’t know about that. It’s worked pretty well so far. Mom thinks Aunt Alice eats up the leftovers for a bedtime snack, and Aunt Alice thinks Dad does, and they’re all too polite to say anything.” Andi picked up the bowl from the counter. “I’m going to take this over to Friday.”
    “Load the dishwasher first,” Bruce advised her. “Somebody might come out here to check on how you’re doing.”
    “I’m just going to be a minute!” Andi opened the door and, holding the bowl carefully so the gravy wouldn’t spill, started out into the yard.
    A moment later she was back.
    “Bruce, he’s out there!”
    “Who?” Bruce regarded her blankly.
    “Jerry Gordon’s dog! He’s over in the corner of