Flash Read Online Free

been twenty-four hours! He must have been kidding himself that he could keep a secret from Lizzie, the biggest busybody in the world. She always had to be in the know about everything. And obviously, Stephanie was the same way.
    Charles looked at Becky.
    Becky looked at Charles.
    “Oh, well,” Charles said. “I guess you’d have found out sooner or later.” He pushed open the door of the stall. “Meet Flash,” he said.
    “Oh!” said Stephanie. She got down on her knees. “Come here, you cutie!” She held out a gentle hand to Flash. He was used to people by now, and he walked right over to sniff Stephanie.
    “Wow,” said Lizzie. “This isn’t exactly what I expected.” She looked impressed. “How long have you two been hiding a dog in here?”
    “For a while,” Charles said. But, at the same time, Becky said, “Since last night.” Charles made a face at Becky. He didn’t want to tell their sisters any more than they had to.
    But Lizzie just nodded. “What a beautiful border collie,” she said. “Judging by its size, I’d say it’s about six months old.” Lizzie volunteered at an animal shelter, where she had learned a lot about dogs of all ages. “Is it a boy or a girl?”
    “He’s a boy,” said Charles. He wasn’t surprisedthat Lizzie knew what kind of dog it was. She was always studying that “Dog Breeds of the World” poster in her room.
    By now, Lizzie was patting Flash, too. “How do you know his name?”
    “His owners told us,” Becky said.
    Then she and Charles told Lizzie and Steph the whole story about Murray and Dot — as much as they knew of it.
    “But who’s Murray?” asked Lizzie. “And where did he and his wife go?” Lizzie looked puzzled. “Flash looks so healthy and well groomed, it looks like they took good care of him. So why did they leave him here?”
    “That’s what we’ve been trying to figure out,” Charles said. “But we haven’t gotten anywhere.” He explained about the bread man and their trip to the store.
    “Meanwhile, this puppy needs a home,” said Stephanie. By now, Flash was practically in her lap. She seemed to have a way with dogs.
    Becky looked excited. “I know! Do you think Mom and Dad would let us —”
    “No way,” said Stephanie, shaking her head. “They’ll say we’re just getting used to living here, and it’s too early for a pet, and all that. Just like they do when I ask when I’m getting a horse.”
    “Well then, we’ll just have to convince Mom and Dad that it’s time to foster another puppy,” Lizzie said to Charles.
    “But we have Buddy now,” Charles said.
    Lizzie was nodding. “I know, but Mom promised we could still foster puppies, remember?” She bent to pet Flash again, and he nuzzled her hand. “Border collies are so smart and fun. We
have
to take him home with us.”
    Flash wasn’t sure exactly what the girl was saying, but he knew it was about him, and he knew it was good. Even though he still missed his own people, he was starting to feel safe with thesechildren. But he was tired of being cooped up! He needed to run.
    “Hey, where are you going?” Stephanie said suddenly. Flash jumped up and wiggled through the partly open stall door before anybody could stop him.
    “Oh, no!” cried Charles as the white tip of Flash’s tail disappeared around the corner.
    Becky jumped to her feet. “We have to stop him before the grown-ups see him!” she said.
    They all ran out of the stall after Flash — but it was too late. He had already dashed out of the barn and into the yard. The dog raced in circles. He ran over the ground so fast, he looked like a black-and-white blur.
    Oh, wonderful! There was nothing better than running! What a great game! Flash usually liked to chase other things, but it was fun to be chased,too. He felt the cold air ruffle his fur. It was good to be outside.
    “Wait, Flash! Come here!” Charles called, trying to keep his voice low.
    “This way, Flash!” called Lizzie.
    All