Free Murder for a Rainy Day (Pecan Bayou Book 6) by Teresa Trent Page A

I asked.
    "You know, FBI profilers just don't have much on people who steal giant replicas of animals. Go figure."
"Seems a shame. So do you think it’s somebody here in town or could it be the proverbial drifter?"
    "Now there's an idea," my dad said. "The guy steals a cow and then jumps a freight train? Not likely."
    "There is one positive side to all of this. If we do get a hurricane, that’s two creatures that won’t be blowing around in the wind causing damage." 
    In a hurricane force wind a trash can lid can decapitate someone. The damage a flying horse could do to a person would be devastating.
    "True."
    From downstairs I heard the front door open and close.
    "Betsy? I’m home. Any babies yet?" I heard Leo’s keys drop into the bowl next to the door.
    "Not yet," I yelled.
    "But she does have a grumpy old man trying to put together a changing table," my dad chimed in. "Maybe you can figure it out."
    Leo bounded up the stairs. After the long day he had put in, his energy was amazing.
"Looks like it’s mostly together," Leo said, observing our efforts.
    "Not quite," My father said as he slapped the crumpled instruction sheet into Leo's hands.
    "Figure that out, college boy."
    Leo examined the directions, and then walked over to the crooked piece of furniture we were calling a changing table. He started hemming and hawing enough to make Bob Vila proud. He walked completely around the changing table, running his hand along the top rail.
    "Looks like there’s a piece missing."
    "What was your first clue, Sherlock?" My father cracked.
    Leo then picked up the empty box and turned it upside down. The missing leg fell onto the carpet.
    "Damn. Didn’t think to check the box," my father said.
    "Not a problem." Leo grinned. "I'm here to serve."
    "So what's this I hear about my son-in-law and soon to be the father of my grandchild flying off into a hurricane and leaving my darling daughter back here alone?"
    The sheepish look on Leo's face said it all. "I know it looks bad on the surface, but it really was the opportunity of a lifetime. I went up with the 53rd Air Force squadron. You should know it was perfectly safe and I was never in danger. We gauged the wind speed and how quickly the hurricane will be coming to shore."
    "Shoot, son. I think I would have had a hard time passing up a chance to fly with the Air Force."
    Leo nodded as they shared a testosterone fueled moment. I scowled at my father. Nothing like encouraging Leo to risk his life.
    "I’m just glad I was able to do it, and Betsy didn’t go into labor."
    "That was cutting it pretty close. Betsy has been in labor by herself once before. I sure would hate to see that happen again."
      I could see Leo was feeling guilty, especially after my mentioning that the father of my last child hadn’t been there for me either.
    "Don’t worry about it, Leo," I assured him. "You managed to get there and back in one day and everything was fine here."
    "Except the cow being stolen," Leo said, looking to my father with a grin.
    My father shook his head in annoyance. "Oh, yes. The crime wave continues. I’m sure when you moved to this town you never thought you’d be in a bed of petty theft."
    "Really. I think I was safer in Dallas."
    "I’m just glad you’re back and now we can concentrate on having the baby," I said. "No more wild trips, right?"
    Leo’s lips thinned a bit. "Uh…"
    "No!" I cut him off.
    "No," he repeated.
    "Listen to me son," my dad said, "whatever happens with the hurricane, just know when it comes to Betsy here, I’ll step in whenever I can."
    "I know Judd, and I’m really thankful for that," Leo said. My dad, looking a little overwhelmed by Leo’s honest admission of gratefulness, cleared his throat.
    "And how is my grandbaby doing?"
    "Flying around in his own hurricane down there," I answered, feeling the baby shift.
    "Oh, so it is a boy. I knew it! I just knew it."
    "Don’t get so excited.  Just because I used the word ‘him’ it doesn't