False Gods: The Show Jumper's Challenge

Jessica twisted a strand of blond hair around her index finger, rolling it tight up to her head, then unrolling it. She asked the dreaded question: “What do you want us to do, Mom?”

“Do you want us to set the table?” Cory offered.

“I don’t need you both to set the table,” Roni said. “Cory, you go get that damn dog of yours, and Jess can take care of the table.”

“What do you mean go get him?” Cory’s voice rose. “Where is he?”

“He’s wandered off again, and now we’re getting complaints.” Roni rummaged in the pantry, pulling out a jar of spaghetti sauce.

Spaghetti again, Cory groaned inwardly.

“Some woman just called and said to come get him; he’s at her place. And she wasn’t very nice about it, either.”

“Oh, great. So I get to go.”

Roni spun around. Her eyes narrowed. “He’s your dog, isn’t he? You begged for him. You promised you would always take care of him. Am I right?” Her hand went to her hip.

“Yeah, yeah,” Cory mumbled. She was tired of this argument about Hershey. She figured her mother hated the chocolate Lab because getting him was something she and her dad had done. Almost seven years ago, they had decided to get a dog and picked him out at the animal shelter. Her dad wanted a Lab to train for hunting, but Hershey turned out to be afraid of loud noises. He gave up on the dog, so he became Cory’s responsibility. “Where is he?”

“That farm down the road. Said he’ll be in the barn. Bring him home and hurry right back here. I’ve got lots to get done tonight.”

She always has lots to get done. Like getting dressed up to leave on a date.

Cory grabbed the leash by the front door and called back into the kitchen, “It’s the farm down the road?”

“How many other farms do you see?”

She slammed the door behind her.