The Cinder Bullies (17)

Cindy and Millie, along with Rosa and Nadia, worked busily together, knowing that the day of the welcome home party for the estate owners was approaching very quickly. There was so much to do, but it was pleasant work, with no discord between them.

"Is Xaviar going to come to the welcome home party?" Millie asked Cindy, quietly.

"I have no idea what his plans are for that day," replied Cindy. "I really don't want to pry into his affairs either, as that would not be very polite."

"You are right," said Millie. "But, I would like to meet him sometime."

"Young ladies," said Nadia, "If you would like to take a break, go ahead and do so. I think Rosa and I will have a cup of tea shortly, and you are both welcome to join us. You have worked very hard today."

Cindy looked at Millie, and Millie looked at Cindy, as if they read each other's minds.

"Thank you, Nadia," replied Cindy, shaking her head. "But, I think we will take Dancer down to the brook first, and give him a quick bath."

"Go ahead," replied Nadia. "He does need one now."

"That was a really good idea," said Millie, quietly. "That way, the two of them can chat together for a while, and so can we."

"You called him, Dancer?" Rosa asked Nadia, after the girls had left with the puppy.

"Yes, that is the puppy's new name," replied Nadia. "I hope you don't mind that I gave him to Cindy. She named him Dancer, because he danced on his hind legs with her, to the music of my son's flute. It was so delightful to behold!"

"That is perfect!" replied Rosa, as Nadia poured tea. "She needs a friend. Your son will be staying for the welcome home party, I hope."

"Yes, he will be here. He just finished boarding school last week," replied Nadia. "He seems to get along well with Cindy, but they are very shy. Playing with the puppy is good for both of them."

"That is wonderful to hear."

"I have some more good news for you, but I have not told our young ladies yet. The estate owners arrived home earlier this morning. We are all invited to get together for dinner with them tomorrow night, up at the big mansion," said Nadia. "I understand that they will have some wonderful news for us."

In the meantime, Cindy and Rosa, who had never bathed a puppy before, were busy trying to persuade Dancer to get into the water.  He was not about to comply and kept running away from them.

"Maybe he will go the water, if we do, too," suggested Cindy. "Let's take off our outer clothes and that way, they will stay dry."

"Do we dare?" replied Millie. "I have never been swimming before."

"Neither have I, but I don't see any reason why not. Come on, it will be fun!"

Moments later, they were playing happily with the puppy, in the brook.

Suddenly, in the distance, Cindy could hear Xaviar coming. He was playing the flute again. This time, it was a much happier sound. The puppy quickly got out of the water and ran up the road to meet him.

"That is Xaviar!" said Cindy. "Hurry and get dressed!"

"It is a good thing we heard him coming!"

Moments later, Xaviar and Dancer came down to the brook, where the girls were waiting, sitting quietly on a log, chatting together. Xaviar was still playing his flute, and the puppy was dancing on his hind legs, to the sweet sounding music.

"That is so delightful!" exclaimed Millie, who appeared a bit flushed from the sun. So did Cindy.

"Now you see why I called him Dancer," said Cindy.

"He is dancing!" exclaimed Millie.