Fire and Ice (22 page)

Friends, neighbors, owners of Rick’s patients, and people in the sled dog business filled the church. Several renowned mushers slipped in anonymously before the ceremony, though the reporter from the
Frontiersman
spotted a couple of Iditarod winners and snapped photos of them entering the church.

Robyn held a lacy handkerchief to her eyes for a moment. Why should she cry? She was barely leaving home. She’d be living a quarter mile down the road from Mom and Grandpa, in Rick’s snug log home. The dogs would stay at the Holland Kennel, and she could walk over every day to work with them.

Her mother had blossomed in her new position as receptionist at the Baker Veterinary Practice. She’d surprised and delighted Rick by organizing his records and transforming the atmosphere of his little office from chaotic to peaceful. When the new animal hospital was built, Rick and Robyn fully expected her to reign as office manager.

“What token do you give this woman?”

Robyn realized her thoughts had wandered.

Rick spoke up firmly. “A ring.”

They both turned to gaze down the aisle. Darby’s little sister, Katy, came proudly down the aisle with her eyes glittering. Wearing a snow-white harness and leash, Tumble walked beside her, lifting each foot daintily and gazing at the people in the pews.

When they reached the front of the church, Rick’s brother knelt and detached a small box from Tumble’s harness and handed it to Rick. He winked at Robyn and handed the box to the minister.

The pastor opened the box and revealed their wedding rings. Katy led Tumble to the side. She stood beside Darby and Anna and signaled to Tumble. He sat down and panted quietly, looking over the crowd.

A few minutes later, the vows were complete. Robyn gazed up into Rick’s tender eyes as the pastor said, “You may kiss your bride.”

As her husband bent and kissed her, Tumble let out a low bark. Darby and Katy both reached to pat him.

“Hush,” Darby whispered. “You’ll see her every day.”

To Debbie,
We are so glad you are part of our family!

Acknowledgments:

Special thanks to Rhonda Gibson, Lisa Harris, and Dana and Luann Nordine, who helped make this book possible.

A note from the Author:

I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:

Susan P. Davis
Author Relations
PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683

SUSAN PAGE DAVIS
and her husband, Jim, have been married thirty-three years and have six children, ages fifteen to thirty-two, and six grandchildren. They live in Maine, where they are active in a small, independent Baptist church. Susan is a homeschooling mother. She has published more than twenty novels in the historical romance, cozy mystery, romantic suspense, fantasy, and contemporary genres. She loves to hear from her readers. Visit Susan at her Web site:
www.susanpagedavis.com
.