Ten-Gallon Tensions in Texas: A Kate on Vacation Mystery (The Kate on Vacation Mysteries Book 3) Read Free Page A

still held onto it like a drowning man clinging to a life preserver.
    “I think whoever it was,” Bobby Joe said, “they only hit the cars that had been left overnight in the service area. Our cars out front seem to be okay. But I’m having the guys flush their tanks to be on the safe side.”
    “How many cars were damaged?” Jimmy said.
    “Just Hawthorne’s truck and Ms. Fowler’s car, it looks like. The cars that are in the bays probably weren’t driven far enough for the sugar to make it into the fuel system. I’ll go over ’em real careful, but I think they’ll be okay.”
    “Let’s keep this to ourselves, Bobby Joe. We don’t need this gettin’ around town.”
    The mechanic nodded and left the office.
    “Come on, Jimmy,” Skip said. “Put the flask away and come have a cup of coffee with me. Let’s sort out the best way to handle this.”
    Jimmy stood up. He capped the flask and slipped it into his pants pocket. Then he opened his desk drawer again and pulled out a handgun. Lifting his suit jacket off the back of his chair, he dropped the gun into an outside pocket. It made a significant bulge.
    “Where the hell do you think you’re going with that?” Skip said.
    Jimmy shrugged into the jacket. “To the dog pound.” He shoved past his brother-in-law and out the door.
    Skip blew out air and rubbed the back of his neck. “Should I follow him?”
    The question startled Kate. Her husband was not one to ask advice on something like that. He’d just do it. But on the other hand, she was glad he had asked the question.
    “That might not be a good idea,” she answered. “The mood he’s in right now, if you give him a hard time, he may shoot you.”

CHAPTER THREE
    They were once again having an early dinner since the reunion’s meet-and-greet started at seven. Kate was dispatched by her mother-in-law to call everyone to the table. In the living room, Suzanne sat at one end of the sofa in stony silence, pretending to watch the news on the TV. Her husband was slouched at the other end, his eyelids at half-mast.
    Kate decided to come back to them once she had the kids headed toward the bathrooms to wash their hands.
    Neither had moved much when she returned. “Dinner’s ready.”
    “Not hungry,” Jimmy mumbled.
    Suzanne shot him a glare and rose from the sofa.
    “Not going to that stupid thing tonight neither.” Jimmy’s voice was belligerent.
    “Suit yourself.” Suzanne marched toward the kitchen.
    As they ate, everyone pretended that nothing was wrong. But they all knew it was a lie. Even Sherry seemed worried tonight. She kept glancing at her father’s empty seat, then her gaze would flick toward the doorway to the living room.
    “Eat your supper, Sherry,” her mother snapped.
    ‘Yes, ma’am.” The girl poked her fork at her green beans.
    “Damn it,” Suzanne blurted out. “I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for months.”
    Her mother narrowed her eyes at her but didn’t say anything.
    “Sorry, Mama.”
    Skip swiped his napkin across his lips, then dropped it next to his half empty plate. “Suze, you’re goin’ with Kate and me.” He rose and looked down at Kate. “I’m gonna take Jimmy home first.” It was a statement but she read the question on his face. Again she was a little shocked by his lack of conviction.
    Is he asking if that’s okay with me, or if it’s the right thing to do?
    Suzanne tilted her head to look up at her big brother. She opened her mouth.
    Kate, sitting next to her, put a hand on her arm. “There’s no reason why you can’t at least try to have a good time tonight.”
    Suzanne nodded mutely, her eyes filling with tears.
    “I’ll take him home in your car and then meet you gals at the community center.” Skip headed for the living room to collect his charge.
    “Come on,” Kate said to her sister-in-law. “Let’s fix our makeup and then go party.”
    Suzanne gave her a feeble smile. She rose from the table and walked to her