Page 24 of Spindrift

“Fine.You’ve got a recheck on that evil paint mare next, and the clinic called in amelting ulcer we’ll need to fit in this afternoon. How did it go?”

“ShowedJo how to lamb.”

“Shedo okay?”

“Kid’sa natural.” Her cell phone buzzed before she could add more. She glanced down,expecting a text from the clinic, and saw an unknown number instead.

Sorryto bother you. It’s Emilia. Any chance you have a shop vac lying around that Icould borrow?

“What’sup?” Stevie asked.

“Emiliawants to borrow a shop vac.”

“I’msorry, what?”

“Emiliawants—”

“Iheard you. Why does she have your number?”

“Wegrabbed a drink the other night.”

Steviestared at her. “Uh huh.”

“Jesus,Stevie. She’s nice. We’re friends.”

“Okay,Morgan.” Stevie imitated Morgan’s tone. “Why does yourfriendneed ashop vac, and what makes her think you’re willing to loan her ours? Wasn’t herdad in construction? He should have one.”

“Idon’t know the details. She’s doing some renovation on her dad’s house. Maybehis is broken.”

“She’shot and she can use power tools?”

“Thetwo are not mutually exclusive.”

Stevieopened the passenger sunshade mirror and flashed herself a smile. “Believe me,I know.”

“Guesswe can stop by the house and grab it. She’s on the way to the Murphy placeanyway.”

“Oh,speaking of Angie—”

“Werewe?”

“Angie,the house—same thing. Anyway, her birthday is next weekend. We should dosomething now that we’re not on call twenty-four seven.”

“Likea party?”

“Godno. Then we’d have to invite her employees. A small thing. You, me, Lil,Stormy, the Watsons. Get the grill out if it’s nice. I could make a cake!”

“Whatkind of cake?”

“Shelikes red velvet.”

“Redvelvet? What about chocolate?” said Morgan.

“Whatabout it’s Angie’s birthday, so we make the cake she likes?”

“Fairpoint. I’ll do some steaks and those big-ass mushrooms Lil likes.” She’d beenitching to get the grill out since the beginning of May.

“Youshould invite Emilia.”

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