Page 51 of Chasing Shelter

I cleared my throat, and her eyes flew to mine, her face flaming. “Sorry, you put on quite a show, Chief.”

Not information I needed.

She shoved the abomination in the form of a T-shirt in my direction. “Here. This’ll help.”

My mouth twisted in disgust as I pulled the thing on. The second it was over my head, Ellie burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry,” she wheezed. “I have to.” She lifted her phone and snapped a photo.

My phone buzzedin my pocket as I followed Ellie down yet another aisle at the feed store. Her cart was full, and she was carrying Gremlin in a pink sling she’d found for him. Pulling out my cell, I glanced at the screen.

Arden has changed the group name to Trace’s Hula Hounds.

My back teeth ground together as I slid my finger across the screen to open the text chain.

Arden

Check out Trace’s new look.

The text was followed by the photo I knew Ellie had taken. There I was, in all my scowling, pink-Hawaiian-shirted glory.

Fallon

I’m asking Lolli to make a diamond painting of this. It needs to be memorialized forever.

Rhodes

It’s almost as good as Anson’s pink kitten shirt. Maybe we can get them in a picture together for the Colson Family Christmas card.

Shep

That’s a whole new definition of an ugly Christmas sweater.

Me

I am putting you all on my deputies’ radar. If you speed, jaywalk, or park anywhere you’re not supposed to, they’re taking you in.

“My sister, really?” I called to Ellie.

She turned around, grinning widely. Gremlin stuck his head out of the sling. “It was too good not to pass along for sibling torture.”

“I’m going to get you back for this,” I warned.

“You can try,” she singsonged, turning back around.

My phone buzzed with a flurry of new texts.

Kye

I’m reporting this to the mayor. Abuse of power.

Cope

I’m taking out a billboard on the highway and putting this up.

Me

You have too much money on your hands, Puck Boy.

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