By the Book (A Gracie Andersen Mystery 2) Read Free Page B

runs with soft beds. All were anxious for their breakfasts and happy to see Gracie. A beagle named Snoopy starting baying when Gracie and Haley approached. His tail was wagging furiously, and he bounced on his hind legs for more attention. Haley gave him a reproving sniff to cut the noise and continued toward the reception area.
    Marian came stomping through the front door, knocking snow off her boots.
    “Good morning, Gracie. What a bitter day!” The tall, blond heavyset woman pulled off blue and white patterned mittens.
    “No kidding. I don’t think it’s ever going to stop snowing or warm up.”
    “My old bones hate the cold. The husband is telling me to retire again, so we can spend the winter in Florida.” She hung her long woolen coat on one of the hooks in Gracie’s office.
    “Don’t do that. Shuffleboard and bridge. You wouldn’t last a week.”
    Gracie knew Marian wasn’t about to hightail it to Florida. She’d come out of retirement last summer to help Gracie and was hooked on dogs. Her husband Al, however, was ready to head south and was pushing hard to get Marian to see it his way.
    “I know. Hanging out with old people is no fun. That’s why I work. Al is cranky and underfoot all day. He’s addicted to Judge Judy now. He needs a job, but he just won’t admit it.”
    “You could spend a couple of weeks down there and try it, I guess. Grooming is pretty light in the winter. Your bones would thaw out.” Gracie laughed as Marian arched her eyebrows and huffed.
    “Maybe next year. Right now, I’m happy with the dog business.” Marian pushed back her short blond hair and pulled the grooming apron over her thick red cable-knit sweater. “Is the schedule up yet?”
    “It’s on the wall, but I need to add two German shepherds to that.”
    “Shepherds. What a treat. They’re my favorites.”
    Whatever dog was added to the schedule was always a favorite of Marian’s. There wasn’t a dog that had not warmed up to the kind, but firm woman in the months she’d been at Milky Way.
    Jim and Tom came tramping through the door, setting the small bell at the top jingling.
    “Chief, this is the worst winter ever.” Jim’s face was bright red with cold. “Got any coffee ready yet?”
    “Oops. I’ve been visiting and forgot. I’ll get it going.” Coffee was the elixir of life for the Milky Way crew, especially in the winter.
    “I’ve got it. I think Cheryl is pulling in now.” Jim pulled off his wool cap and headed to Gracie’s office. He used it to wipe ice particles from his face. Her brother trailed in behind Jim, brushing snow off his coat.
    “I’ve gotta go, Gracie. I’ll see you later. Dan will probably show up today to talk to Terry.” Tom exited quickly. He needed to get to work at the Cooperative Extension in Warsaw, the county seat. Tom was the county agent when he wasn’t off fighting for his country. Tom’s gift to his family after his 12-month deployment in Afghanistan was processing his retirement papers. Gracie hoped Tom would settle down and find that elusive perfect woman. After an ugly divorce five years ago, he deserved a good woman. She was putting her money on Kelly Standish, the new vet. They had started dating a couple of months ago, and Gracie thought things looked promising.
    Tom’s ex-wife Jan lived in Texas with their daughter Emma. It was hard to believe Emma was already 15. Jan had made it difficult for Tom or any of them to see Emma after the divorce. Sometimes Emma was allowed to come over Christmas vacation or during the summer. Gracie hoped she never ran into her ex-sister-in-law. It wouldn’t be a pretty sight for Jan if Gracie had her way. Jan had started seeing a coworker on one of Tom’s deployments and had decided she couldn’t handle her husband’s absences. After a nasty custody battle that Tom lost in spades, Jan and her new love had moved to Texas, taking Emma with them.
    “Thanks for helping. I’ll let Terry know that Dan will stop