taste buds They could taste bitterness or spiciness even in foods that others thought were mild When Mom cooked she often made the bland things Emily and Abby preferred Grace and Natalie doused Mom’s meals with hot sauce or fiery salsas But there wasn’t a way to make hot things less spicy With everyone staring at her Emily managed to choke down the rest of her meal with many gulps of water She reminded herself that the faster she finished the faster they could talk about the mustangs When Emily finished her last bite Mr Ramirez said Why don’t we skip dessert for now so we can look at the information Emily found
He set his napkin on the table and stood Maybe we could have s’mores later under the stars Natalie smiled and Grace cheered Abby bent to pet Amigo until Grace quieted S’mores sounded great but all Emily wanted was to discuss the auction Then she’d enjoy the dessert especially if Mom and Dad agreed She hoped they would but what if they said no
Chapter Two After everyone set their dishes on the counter Emily held up the paper with her notes I have the most important information on here but maybe you should look at the website too Abby left the room with Amigo to play with one of her favorite dogs Cocoa and her two puppies that hadn’t been adopted yet Grace started to head to the family room but Mr Ramirez stopped her Isn’t it your turn to do the dishes tonight he asked I want to see the website too Grace pouted She turned around and trudged back into the kitchen You already did Emily pointed out as she spread the papers on the kitchen table By the time you’re done with the dishes Mom and Dad will have looked at everything and there’ll be more room for you at the computer I guess Grace absentmindedly squirted dishwashing liquid into the sink Can’t I do the dishes later she whined as she turned the hot water on full blast I want to see the mustangs too Emily gave her a sympathetic glance as her parents glanced over her notes I suppose Mr Ramirez said As long as you don’t forget to come back here afterwards Yay Grace jumped up and down You should see the mustangs they have on the site She launched into a long description of her favorite ones
Mrs Ramirez looked up from Emily’s notes and screeched Grace The sink Suds overflowed the sink and bubbled onto the counter and floor Grace turned around and snapped off the faucet I-I’m sorry Natalie raced for the mop and bucket Mrs Ramirez and Emily grabbed rags Mr Ramirez moved as close to the sink as he could without stepping in the puddle forming below the counter and opened the drain How much soap did you put in he asked in a quiet voice I don’t know Grace looked close to tears I wasn’t paying attention Mrs Ramirez sighed and threw an old towel on the floor near Mr Ramirez’s feet Can you lift her onto that so she can dry her feet she asked her husband After Mr Ramirez picked up Grace the other three set to work cleaning up the water and suds I’m sorry Grace’s chin wobbled and she looked about to cry
