Animal Angel by M. J. Wilson

would be getting a lecture. When Kaye flounced down the stairs, still preening, my guilt melted away, only to be replaced by glee.
    We waited while Dad served himself, then I dove in. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes with a side of green beans might not be a glamorous meal, but it sure hit the spot tonight. I was so focused on my food that I nearly forgot about the exciting news that Mom had. She sat across the table from Dad, worrying the edge of her napkin. The corners of her mouth tugged upward like she was trying to contain a smile.
    Dad’s gaze flickered to Kaye and his jaw clenched slightly, but then his eyes met Mom’s and his expression changed. Just like it did every time he looked at her. “Oh, go ahead, Barb, tell them the news.”
    Mom smiled. “The animal rescue called…”
    â€œNot again,” Kaye muttered.
    Dad shot her his look . Then Mom continued, “They found a mother dog who is lactating, but they couldn’t find her puppies anywhere.”
    Kaye rolled her eyes. “Not interested.”
    â€œIt’s kind of sad,” Penny said softly, her eyes never leaving her plate. “What do you suppose happened to them? The puppies, I mean.”
    Silence descended on the table. Finally Mom said, “I don’t know, honey. They want us to foster her, though. Isn’t that wonderful?”
    Penny nodded then took another bite of food.
    Kaye tapped her fork against the edge of her plate. “Sorry, not exciting and not sad. Can we move on?”
    â€œKaye.” Dad’s warning chastised her enough that she sat back in her chair, but she crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him defiantly.
    â€œIs that it?” I asked. “I mean, it’s great to have another dog, but…”
    The secret smile returned. I could barely breathe as I tried to decipher what information she was holding back. Some dark hair had escaped from her ponytail and curled around her face making her appear younger than she was. “The animal rescue also found a litter of puppies. Five, I think she said. They need a mother. So…the rescue wants to know if we’ll help them get acquainted.”
    â€œPuppies?” I could barely keep my voice from shaking. A wave of adrenaline washed over me. Dad had never wanted us to have puppies in the house before. Too much work. Too much mess. Too much noise. And now there would be five. Five!
    â€œWhen are we getting them?” Penny asked. She had finally looked up from her plate, and I could see my own exhilaration mirrored on her face. For a moment, she resembled the sister I remembered, not the moody girl she had become.
    Mom opened her mouth to answer when, suddenly, a tiny, persistent wailing filled the air. Setting her napkin gently on the table, Mom got up. I slumped back in my seat, annoyance flickering through me. Couldn’t Lee wait until Mom had at least told us when the puppies would be arriving? Babies have an awful sense of timing.
    A moment later, Mom returned to the table bouncing baby Lee on her shoulder. My little brother burped and snuggled into the crook of Mom’s arm as she took a spoonful of her mashed potatoes. Penny and I exchanged an impatient glance. I knew better than to ask outright. Mom was busy, and Dad hated when we pestered her. So there was nothing to do but wait.
    I tried to eat, but the thought of five squirmy little puppies running through the house made my stomach flutter with excitement. Food didn’t seem appealing at the moment. I tapped the tines of my fork against my plate, trying to be quiet, but failing when Dad reached over and stilled my hand.
    â€œLet’s finish, girls,” he said. “You can wash up while we get a place ready for this dog.”
    My eyes widened, and I turned my gaze toward Mom. She caught me staring and nodded with a smile. “They are bringing them over tonight.”
    Kaye frowned. “What about Pepper? Remember what happened