Chapter One these Grace fanned herself with her hand The dry dusty air blowing in the SUV windows did little to cool the broiling afternoon heat The temperature seemed more like midsummer than springtime Hey Mom can we stop for an ice cream cone Sounds good to me her twin sister Emily said loud breath Mrs Ramirez blew out all Unfortunately afternoon I need to get back to the clinic later today I have a group of students from the veterinary program at the state college coming for a tour at 3 30 But your vet office is supposed to be closed on Saturday afternoons Grace complained It normally is but I thought it would be easier to talk to the students and show them around when I wasn’t busy with appointments I’m sorry sweetie errands a can’t take
Natalie who was usually the peacemaker in the family suggested Maybe you could drop them at the petting zoo just outside of town and pick them up on the way home They could get ice cream there and it would give them something to do while they wait I don’t know Mrs Ramirez said If we’re looking for new boots for you and then doing grocery shopping they’d be there for two hours Please Mom Grace begged I love the petting zoo We don’t mind being there for a long time do we Emily No we don’t It would be fun Emily said Look at it this way Mom Natalie said we can get done faster if it’s just the two of us You know how Grace fusses after we’ve been shopping for a while Hey Grace crossed her arms and glared at Natalie
Her twelve-year-old sister winked at her and mimed zipping her mouth shut I’m trying to convince Mom she mouthed Mrs Ramirez sighed It would be easier but I worry about them We’re nine years old Mom Grace said Not babies Nine-year-olds can still get into trouble We’ll behave Emily promised And you know you can count on Abby to be good Their ten-year-old sister Abby smiled at Emily I’d like ice cream and I really want to observe some of the animals I’ve been reading about peacocks and the petting zoo has two Mrs Ramirez laughed Peacocks aren’t exactly animals you can pet You can’t pet all the animals Abby explained Some of them you just have to look at or feed like the ducks and turkeys
I suppose if the three of you stay together and promise not to get into any trouble Mrs Ramirez directed a pointed look at Grace in the rearview mirror I guess it will be okay Grace thrust out her lower lip That’s not fair How come Mom singled me out with that look She almost said it aloud but as Mrs Ramirez flipped on her left turn signal and waited for an opportunity to cross the traffic Grace forgot about her irritation They were turning onto the road to the petting zoo Ice cream and animals instead of shopping and errands What could be better Yay Grace shouted when they pulled into the parking lot Mrs Ramirez jumped at the sound and Abby covered her ears but Grace was so happy she didn’t care She hopped out of the car and started to take off but her mom’s sharp Grace made her turn and
