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"Your father never was a very good businesser Part of the money from the stock sale he invested in some solid securities The rest went into some speculative stocks Unfortunately they were unwise choices and he lost Trying to recoup his losses, he cashed in the others and invested the proceeds in more risky issues They were no more successful than the first To put it simply, Alanna—" Rolt paused for effect "—there's no money from the stock sale"

"Oh, no, poor daddy!" she aze, she said, "He still has the income from his stock here in the taconite plant"

"Yes, he has that, but it isn't large enough toIf your mother had another heart attack, it would probably wipe hied And he was at the bank this past week to apply for a loan, using his stock here as collateral"

The color drained from her face The whole disan to take shape If her father received the loan and was unable to make the payments, the stock would be taken and his only source of income as well

"He wanted to sell the house," Alanna said in a frozen voice "That's why he was saying all these things to mother And she wouldn't even consider it"

"At this point, selling the house would only buy hio," Rolt stated ed it"

"I don't understand" Alanna brushed a bewildered hand across her forehead and eyes "How could it have happened? Without any warning?"

"Your father had a," he pointed out dryly

"Therethat can be done," she said desperately, then began listing solutions aloud "We can sell the house, of course Mother won't object once she learns the situation We'll et a job For that ent He still has his health"

"He's already tried to find work, but there aren't e Face it, Alanna, he's only been at the top thanks to his father Forgetting the age factor, he simply doesn't have the experience"

"It isn't daddy's fault that he inherited the company," Alanna protested

"And as for you working," Rolt continued, "are you suggesting that you'll support them for the rest of your life?"

She didn't hesitate "I don't see why not They supported me"

"What about ht not be so understanding when you take over the responsibility for your parents' debts and their welfare Your father owes a considerable amount"

"He'll understand" She was thinking of Kurt, strong, wonderful Kurt