and it can give them pancreatitis, kidney disease, tooth decay, all kinds of things,” he said as he began mixing some things in a bowl.
Alana was impressed. “How do you know so much about dogs?”
“My granddad, the one who gave me Black Beauty, used to raise dogs and train them. He knew everything there was to know about dogs. Including this recipe for dog biscuits,” he said as he began rolling out the stiff dough and cutting it into small strips. He put them on a cookie sheet and slipped them in the oven after adding the olives to the casserole. “These are better than anything you can buy for her and she’ll love them. By the way, if you do give her a little extra in her food, make sure it’s beef or lamb. Small dogs like that often have an allergy to chicken and other poultry and it makes their feet itch, so watch out for that.”
“You’re an amazing guy, Roland. Is there anything you don’t know about?” Alana said with her brilliant smile.
“Yeah, actually there is. I don’t know how to express myself properly when I’m discussing something of extreme importance with someone who means the world to me,” he said. “I was trying to explain something to you when I left that night and I didn’t do it very well. I know I confused you and hurt your feelings and that’s the last thing I want to do in this life.” He looked at her, lovingly and sincerely, and she felt humbled by his words.
“Roland, thank you for saying that, but I think I should apologize, too. I didn’t realize it, but a friend of mine helped me understand some things the other day.” She looked reflective as she went on. “I have three sisters, a very savvy mom and an aunt who’s just amazing and I’m very close to all of them. But it took a non-relative—it took a friend to make me see the light. Why is that?”
“That’s a good question, Alana. I think because our relatives are too close to our situation to be objective. They want to protect us so much that it’s difficult for them to give that tough love, or whatever they call it these days.” He glanced at the timer and took out the dog biscuits, putting them on the counter to cool. “I’m going to set the table and when I’m finished, the meal will be ready for your consumption and, I hope, your approval.”
One of the tote bags contained plates, a tablecloth, silverware and other accoutrements. True to his word, Roland had the table looking gorgeous right down to candles and flowers. In a few minutes they were seated with plates of truly appetizing food in front of them.
After saying grace together, Alana daintily dug in and the explosion of flavors in her mouth made her eyes close and she had to hold back a deep moan. She concentrated completely on the food with a minimum of conversation. When her plate was almost clean, she finally gave her personal chef her full attention.
“Roland, this was perfect. Absolutely delicious,” she said with a sigh of utter delight. “I can’t remember when I enjoyed anything as much as this. Thank you so much. And Domino thanks you, too,” she added.
Domino was at his feet, still happily gnawing on her homemade treat.
“I’ve got dessert for you, too. Not right this second, I can tell you’re quite replete at the moment. Why don’t you go get comfortable while I clean up the kitchen,” he suggested. He could see that she was about to protest and he took her hand, kissing her fingertips. “Don’t even try it. This is something I have in common with the VanBurens and my step-dad. No lady lifts a finger when I’m around. Except my sisters, they’re on their own,” he laughed.
Alana leaned over and kissed him. “I’m not going to argue with you. I’m going to take the little princess out for her nighttime stroll while you do what you insist upon doing. I’m very lucky because she appears to be totally housebroken, but I’m trying to keep her on a tight schedule.”
Roland’s face showed immediate
Alana was impressed. “How do you know so much about dogs?”
“My granddad, the one who gave me Black Beauty, used to raise dogs and train them. He knew everything there was to know about dogs. Including this recipe for dog biscuits,” he said as he began rolling out the stiff dough and cutting it into small strips. He put them on a cookie sheet and slipped them in the oven after adding the olives to the casserole. “These are better than anything you can buy for her and she’ll love them. By the way, if you do give her a little extra in her food, make sure it’s beef or lamb. Small dogs like that often have an allergy to chicken and other poultry and it makes their feet itch, so watch out for that.”
“You’re an amazing guy, Roland. Is there anything you don’t know about?” Alana said with her brilliant smile.
“Yeah, actually there is. I don’t know how to express myself properly when I’m discussing something of extreme importance with someone who means the world to me,” he said. “I was trying to explain something to you when I left that night and I didn’t do it very well. I know I confused you and hurt your feelings and that’s the last thing I want to do in this life.” He looked at her, lovingly and sincerely, and she felt humbled by his words.
“Roland, thank you for saying that, but I think I should apologize, too. I didn’t realize it, but a friend of mine helped me understand some things the other day.” She looked reflective as she went on. “I have three sisters, a very savvy mom and an aunt who’s just amazing and I’m very close to all of them. But it took a non-relative—it took a friend to make me see the light. Why is that?”
“That’s a good question, Alana. I think because our relatives are too close to our situation to be objective. They want to protect us so much that it’s difficult for them to give that tough love, or whatever they call it these days.” He glanced at the timer and took out the dog biscuits, putting them on the counter to cool. “I’m going to set the table and when I’m finished, the meal will be ready for your consumption and, I hope, your approval.”
One of the tote bags contained plates, a tablecloth, silverware and other accoutrements. True to his word, Roland had the table looking gorgeous right down to candles and flowers. In a few minutes they were seated with plates of truly appetizing food in front of them.
After saying grace together, Alana daintily dug in and the explosion of flavors in her mouth made her eyes close and she had to hold back a deep moan. She concentrated completely on the food with a minimum of conversation. When her plate was almost clean, she finally gave her personal chef her full attention.
“Roland, this was perfect. Absolutely delicious,” she said with a sigh of utter delight. “I can’t remember when I enjoyed anything as much as this. Thank you so much. And Domino thanks you, too,” she added.
Domino was at his feet, still happily gnawing on her homemade treat.
“I’ve got dessert for you, too. Not right this second, I can tell you’re quite replete at the moment. Why don’t you go get comfortable while I clean up the kitchen,” he suggested. He could see that she was about to protest and he took her hand, kissing her fingertips. “Don’t even try it. This is something I have in common with the VanBurens and my step-dad. No lady lifts a finger when I’m around. Except my sisters, they’re on their own,” he laughed.
Alana leaned over and kissed him. “I’m not going to argue with you. I’m going to take the little princess out for her nighttime stroll while you do what you insist upon doing. I’m very lucky because she appears to be totally housebroken, but I’m trying to keep her on a tight schedule.”
Roland’s face showed immediate
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