Page 132 of Holiday Hire

Amusement fills her expression. "Should we take a bet which one of your family members is calling?"

"No, I don't have good odds on that," I state, then answer, "Hello."

"Dad, where are you?" Ace inquires.

"I'm teaching Pheebs how to ride," I state.

Excitement fills his voice. "She got on a horse?"

I grin and peck her on the lips. "She sure did."

"Awesome!"

Evelyn's voice interjects, "Tell him why you're calling."

The hairs on my arms rise. I sternly ask, "Ace, why are you calling me?"

A moment of silence fills the line.

Disappointment overpowers my happiness. "Don't make me ask you twice."

He moans, confessing, "I'm kind of in trouble."

"In trouble?"

Phoebe's eyes widen.

I kiss her on the forehead, then ask, "Why are you in trouble?"

He hesitates.

"Tell him," Evelyn orders.

He answers, "I might have put something in Wilder's drink."

I freeze.

"What's wrong?" Phoebe whispers.

I put it on speakerphone and warn, "Ace, you have five seconds to tell me what you put in his drink."

"He dared me to do it to Uncle Jagger, but Wilder picked up the wrong glass," Ace states.

Phoebe's eyes widen.

My gut dives further. "Ace, what did you put in his drink? And I'm not asking again."

He admits, "It's Wilder's fault! He took the eyedrops from the medicine cabinet and double-dog dared me to put it in Uncle Jaggers's drink!"

Horror fills Phoebe's expression.

Anger fills me. "You could kill someone doing that!"

Ace's voice cracks. "I didn't kill Wilder! I swear! He's just pooping a lot!"

Phoebe's hand flies over her mouth.

I try to control my annoyance as I ask, "Why would either of you want to do that to Uncle Jagger?"

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