Free Texas Thunder by Kimberly Raye Page A

much-needed breath. A few minutes later, she climbed into her granddad’s old truck, fired up the engine, and headed home.

 
    CHAPTER 9
    â€œI tossed the egg salad,” Jenna declared when Callie walked into the kitchen twenty minutes later to find her youngest sister standing in front of an open refrigerator.
    â€œWhich one?”
    â€œAll of them. A whopping twelve.” She motioned to a nearby trash can. “In my defense, it wouldn’t all fit in the fridge.” She indicated the overflowing Frigidaire. The avocado-green monster had seen better days like most everything else in the Tucker household, but with a few creaks and groans it kept churning along.
    Thankfully.
    Callie had enough to deal with without adding a broken appliance to the list.
    â€œEven Jezebel turned her nose up at it.” She indicated the tiny dog yapping at her heels. Jezebel was a Yorkie/poodle/Grade A mutt blend that Jenna had picked up out near the interstate and nursed back to life at the veterinary clinic. She’d brought the tiny dog home until she could find her a permanent place.
    That had been over six months ago, during which time they’d also picked up three more dogs, a cat, and a rabbit named Hoppy.
    â€œYou have to get that dog out of here.”
    â€œI will.” Jenna retrieved a Milk-Bone from a nearby container and fed it to the excited animal. “Just as soon as she’s back on her feet, she’s history.”
    â€œShe’s on her feet.” Callie glanced at the dog dancing around the kitchen. “She’s on my feet. She’s on your feet.” She caught Jenna’s gaze. “I know you love them, but we can barely look after ourselves. We don’t have enough room for so many foster babies.” That, and who was going to look after them when Callie was gone? Jenna worked hellacious hours, especially since she’d decided to specialize in equine health. With so many ranches nearby and an overwhelming horse population, Jenna barely made it home before dark on most nights. Ditto for Brandy. And so it was Callie who got stuck looking after all the strays. “You have to get them out of here.”
    â€œI’ll start looking first thing tomorrow.” Jenna crossed her heart before slipping the dog another treat. “I’ve got immunizations out at the Gerber Horse Farm in the morning, but after that, I’m on it. Swear.”
    Callie turned her attention back to the counter and the stack of empty egg-salad containers. “You should have saved at least some of this stuff. I could have taken it to the open house tomorrow.”
    â€œTrust me, no potential homeowner with even a sliver of taste is going to show up for egg salad. Maybe these pigs in a blanket.” She pulled a container from the fridge and popped the lid. “I’ve got to say, I can’t stand to be in the same room with Genevieve Hanson. The woman is old and cranky and the nosiest person I’ve ever met, but she sure can cook.” Jenna pulled a tightly wrapped sausage from the green plastic and took a big bite. “These things are amazing,” she said around a mouthful.
    The conversation with Les played in Callie’s head and her gaze went to the container in her sister’s hand. “Please tell me you didn’t eat them all.”
    â€œNo way.” She shoved the last bite into her mouth and reached for a soda. “There’s still one left. Say,” she motioned to Callie, “why don’t you try making some? You could ask Genevieve for her recipe.”
    But Callie didn’t cook. Sure, she’d stepped up to the plate years ago, to make sure the girls had a hot meal every night and she’d even managed to master the basics—eggs, pancakes, meatloaf, a decent roast beef on those rare days when the planets lined up. But she didn’t like to cook. Not like her sister Brandy, who would gladly spend all day slaving in