Page 99 of Bad Decisions & Back Roads

She smiled slowly.“That’s embarrassing for you.I’m texting him right now about tonight.”She typed on her phone.

I was so relieved I gave Timothy the heads up.

She grinned when she got his reply.“He’s taking me to the steakhouse at five-thirty.”

I had all the information I needed.“Have a great time.I’m headed out on some farm calls.”

* * *

My day had not gone accordingto plan.

I was running late to “rescue” Timothy from his date.I’d texted him I’d try to save him around six forty-five-ish.

After a mad dash home, I didn’t have time to find the outfit I’d envisioned.The boots deserved better.Instead, I yanked on jeans, a T-shirt, andtheboots.

Then I checked on Misty.She immediately projectile vomited.On herself.On me.On the bed.

I spent the next fifteen minutes speed-cleaning puke.Once Misty was settled, I stripped off my shirt, grabbed the first clean one in my drawer, and bolted out the door.

As I pulled into the parking lot my phone dinged with a notification.

Psychodad:You brought this on yourself.

I stared at it for a full thirty seconds The message was too calm and far too controlled for my father.That was the kind of sentence written by someone who’d already made a decision and was enjoying the moment before everyone else caught up to it.

Outside, people moved through the parking lot shared between the restaurant and the Piggly Wiggly like normal.Shopping carts rattled.A woman laughed somewhere near the entrance to the grocery store.

Meanwhile, my pulse had started thudding so hard I could feel it in my throat.

I read the text again.You brought this on yourself.

My stomach tightened.It was a promise.Suddenly, every person I loved felt exposed.Sofia.Gia.My mom.Timothy.Misty.

I looked up sharply, scanning the lot on instinct.How could I protect everyone when I didn’t even know where the danger would hit?

First order of business was to save Timothy from this date.

I flipped down the visor mirror.

Oh my.

Somehow, I’d forgotten to brush the mud out of my hair from the last barn call.I threw my head upside down, wrestled everything into a bun, then leaned back into my car searching for my emergency deodorant spray.

I sprayed my shirt.My jeans.My bra.The air around me.

Only then did I look down.The shirt I’d grabbed was black with giant pink letters across the chest that read: I’M HERE FOR THE BOOBS.

It was from a breast cancer fundraiser.Kill me now.

I paced inside and spotted Timothy immediately.Of course he looked good.Cleaned up.Outwardly calm.He probably smelled like soap instead of a veterinary disaster scene.

I texted him.

Gia:Get her to go to the bathroom.

Within moments Amanda stood and headed off.

Perfect.