Page 74 of Rolling Thunder

“What’s the occasion?”

“We signed for season two today.”

She kissed him in congratulations, and the relief was like a cool breeze on a hot day. Trent was already behind bars, and the drama of her life hadn’t ruined his.

Annie arrived about the time they all realized that Abbey was noticeably missing from begging alongside the table.

“I thought she was with you,” Evan said to Kayla.

“She was for a bit, but I haven’t seen her in hours.”

“She’ll turn up,” Bill said.

“She wouldn’t miss out on begging for steak,” Kayla said, getting truly worried. No sooner had she said it than her phone buzzed in her pocket. When she answered, an elderly woman’s voice inquired if she was missing a dog.

“We are,” Kayla said. “Is she okay? Where is she this time?”

“She’s fine. She’s eating my cat food, so I’d appreciate it if you’d come get her.”

“Yes, ma’am, we will. Are you on Little Ranch? What number?”

“Thirty-two.”

“We’ll be right over.” She hung up and hugged Annie quickly. “I’m sorry, guys, but I’ve got to go retrieve the delinquent dog.”

“You put your phone number on my dog’s collar?” Evan inquired as he followed her to her truck.

“Well, you didn’t put yours on there, so somebody had to do the right thing.”

He laughed. “I still think you’re trying to steal her from me.”

“Trust me, I’m not. I guess we just have joint custody by default.”

Thirty-two Little Ranch was a run-down mobile home half engulfed by pepper bushes and overgrown live oaks. Kayla had almost not known there was even a house of any sort up this winding sand driveway. When she reached the end, sure enough, there was Abbey. She was unceremoniously tied to the railing of the steps leading up to the door of the trailer. She looked appropriately horrified at her predicament.

The smell of cat urine hung in the air when they got out of the truck. Abbey began wiggling in circles, winding herself up even tighter on the short rope the lady had tied her up with.

The door opened immediately, and a small, hunched woman stood at the top of the stairs.

“I don’t appreciate her eating my cat food, young lady.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, I’ll drop some by to you,” Kayla said quickly. Then she looked sideways at Evan.

“Actually, Evan will be happy to drop some by to you.”

His eyebrows shot up, and she elbowed him slightly.

“Absolutely,” he agreed.

“I’m Kayla, your neighbor down at the horse farm,” Kayla said as Evan worked on the knot securing Abbey to the porch. The woman nodded grimly, considering her with squinty eyes.

“Irna,” the woman bleakly introduced herself.

At last, the dog was free, and they hustled her into the truck. “I used to know Miss Kay Daniels who ran that farm. You any relation to her?” Irna questioned with eyes squinted suspiciously.

“I’m her granddaughter,” Kayla replied, and Irna’s face softened a bit.

“Glad it stayed in the family.”

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