A Ring for Cinderella by Judy Christenberry Page A

has the doctor been to see you today?”
    “Huh! Yeah, too many times. They ran a lot of new tests today. I told him I didn’t need ’em, but he ignored me.”
    “Why did they do the tests? Did you have any more pain?” Zach asked, leaning toward his grandfather. Which caused his body to press against Susan’s back.
    She swallowed, unable to concentrate at such close quarters with Zach. She was grateful Zach was questioning Pete about his treatment. Yet she found his
     body heat strangely comforting...and at the same time, disturbing.
    “Naw. No more pain. I’m feeling good.”
    Zach relaxed, leaning back, removing his body from Susan’s, and she breathed a little more easily despite a simultaneous sense of disappointment.
    “Good. I thought you were doing better.”
    As if he’d heard them, the door opened and the doctor appeared. “Good evening, Pete, Mr. and Mrs. Lowery. How is everyone?”
    “Fine, Doc. How’s Gramp?” Zach asked.
    “I’m pleased to tell you he’s improved greatly. In fact, he’s so much better, we now think we can operate on him and ensure several more years of good health.” The doctor beamed at all of them. “He’s improved so much that, with your permission, we’ll do surgery in the morning, and he’ll be able to go home in two days, if all goes well.”
    “Hot damn!” Pete exclaimed, a smile on his face. “Pack your bags, Susan. We’re all going home!”

Chapter Seven
    A fter they left Pete Loway’s room, Zach and Susan walked hand in hand down the hallway. He could feel her fingers trembling in his. He figured it was from shock.
    Zach could understand why Susan was in shock. He’d led her to believe, hell, he’d believed, that Gramp only had a couple of days to live. Now he was doing so well the doctor could operate, clean out his arteries and talk of several more years of good health, at least.
    He opened the car door for her when they reached it Once he slid behind the wheel, she didn’t waste any time asking the question he expected.
    “What are we going to do?”
    He considered his words. After all, he didn’t have any right asking Susan to completely change her life.
     But for Gramp’s sake, he had to. “Would it be such a hardship, living on the ranch?”
    Her hands were tightly clasped in her lap. She kept her face turned away from him. “You mean it? You expect me to uproot Paul and move to your home?”
    “Hell, Susan, I know it’s a lot to ask. But what can I do? I’m not saying stay forever, but at least until he’s recovered from the operation.” He held his breath as she considered his words.
    She sighed. “What a mess.”
    “Yeah. But it could be good for you financially. If you and Paul stay until school’s out next May, that would give you at least nine months without any rent, food bills, utilities. You could save all that money.”
    “Yes, but—but how do I explain to Paul? Enjoy yourself but we’ll be leaving at the end of the school year? Be careful about making friends, because you’ll be leaving them soon?”
    “He’ll survive. Lots of kids get transferred every year.”
    “Thanks for caring,” she flung back, sarcasm heavy in her voice.
    “Paul having to leave his friends doesn’t quite rank up there with Gramp’s death.” He hated to sound brutal, but he was only speaking the truth. Besides, he would do everything he could to make it easier on Paul.
    She bowed her head, but she stopped arguing with him. As he pulled into Kate and Will’s driveway, she said, “Please don’t say anything to Paul yet. I haven’t decided.”
    He sat in the car, waiting for her to return with Paul, wondering what he would do if she didn’t agree. Gamp would be devastated. Strangely enough, he realized he, too, would be affected by parting from Susan and Paul. He hadn’t planned on that.
    Susan returned, holding a sleepy Paul’s hand. She helped him into the back seat.
    “Tired, buddy?” Zach asked as the little boy greeted