Free Storm Watcher by Maria V. Snyder

exact wind conditions. Like if Ranger’s ears were full back that might equal twenty-miles-per-hour wind speeds.”
    “Mom would’ve loved it,” Scott said. “Remember how she never checked the weather? With a weather station in the backyard, she’d have known the exact temperature outside. Instead of shivering during all those dog trials, she would have been prepared.”
    Scott’s big smile, though, wilted when Dad didn’t join in the laughter. Dad’s whole body stiffened. All animation drained from his face as if someone had switched him off.
    “Time for bed,” he said. Each word an effort. He shuffled out of the room, dragging all the good feelings with him.
    Luke sagged in his chair. Scott had to mention Mom. Reminiscing about her was taboo. Not because Dad had ever said so, but because every time she was mentioned, Dad bolted for his bedroom.
    “Without Dad there to help you, you’ll never get the tower working, Weather Weenie.” Jacob’s harsh words hammered into the silence.
    “Better stick to scooping poop. It’s more suitable for your level of intelligence,” Scott said.
    After a few more taunts, they left the kitchen. Luke should have been hurt, especially after their earlier nice remarks. But the quick change in their mood snagged in his brain. And teetering just out of reach was the answer to why his brothers constantly teased him. After a moment, it clicked.
    They blamed him for Mom’s death.

    CHAPTER 8
    The Calm Before the Storm
    Guilt poured over him like a cooler filled with icy soda. No surprise Jacob and Scott blamed him. Luke had caused Mom’s death, but he hadn’t connected the mean teasing with it. That was their way of punishing him. They’d been like this ever since the night his seventh-grade homeroom had won a free screening at the movies by collecting the most canned goods for the food drive. Halfway through the movie, thunder rumbled loud enough to be heard over the soundtrack.
    He’d panicked and called Mom to come get him. “Now, please,” he’d said.
    Mom had never arrived to take him home. Lightning had struck, and she’d died on her way to the movie theater. On her way to pick him up early.
    Luke drew in a shaky breath. Leaving the instrument manuals on the table, he crawled into bed without changing. He huddled under the blanket. Dad must hate him too. That must be why Dad let the twins torment him.
    It was a long miserable night, tossing and turning and wondering what he should do. Apologize? Talk to Dad? Would it change anything? No.
    Nothing would bring Mom back. Nothing.
    But would it change how Jacob and Scott treated him? Would it make Dad pay more attention to him? Wasn’t Dad already spending more time with him now that they had Willajean’s weather tower? Why ruin it? His thoughts spun like a puppy chasing her tail.
    By morning, Luke couldn’t think about it anymore. If he did, he’d go insane and never leave his bed. Plus Storm Watcher kennel was the one place he felt almost normal. Almost.

    July turned out to be the quiet before the storm. Every afternoon for an hour, Luke worked on the weather instruments and, at the same time, avoided Alayna. Fun. At night he sat at the kitchen table with Dad. They discussed the tower and planned what he should do to fix the instruments.
    By early July the corn plants had doubled in size. After climbing up and down the tower twice, Luke dripped with sweat. He stopped for a drink. When a warm sponge pressed against the back of his leg, he dropped his water bottle in surprise and spun around. Lance sat on the dirt path. The dog had nosed him. His bushy tail swept the ground, creating a plume of dust.
    At least he didn’t jump on me. He’s learned something.
    Lance’s brown eyes held a cocky glint. The dog looked mighty pleased with himself. Luke scanned the cornfield, searching for Willajean.
    Ten minutes later, Megan arrived, red-faced. Her short hair clung to her sweaty forehead.
    “There he is,” Megan said