Cutty (Prairie Grooms Book 8) by Kit Morgan Read Free Book Online Page A

looked at Constance. “But we were keeping quiet about it so you could tell us.”
    Constance looked around the circle of women and shrugged. “At least I got to bring it up.”
    Fanny slumped in relief. “I only said what I heard from other folks.”
    “The folks you already told but forgot ya did,” Cutty quipped.
    “You stay out of this!” Fanny said tersely. “You’re not part of the sewing circle.”
    “Thank heavens for that,” he muttered to himself. “C’mon, Imogene, let’s go open your package in peace.” He started for the door.
    “Cousin Imogene should write a book,” Apple blurted. All eyes focused on her. “Well … with all of us married off now, why not?”
    “Imogene write a book?” Cutty said in bewilderment, stopping short of the doors. He turned to see what she thought of the suggestion.
    “Don’t look so surprised,” Imogene said. “Do you think I can’t do it?”
    “I never said that,” he said. “I just meant … well … huh. I guess it ain’t a half bad idea.”
    “It’s a wonderful idea,” Susara Kincaid the town schoolteacher said. “Cutty, why don’t you help her?”
    “Me?” Cutty said and jabbed his thumb into his chest. “Are ya outta yer mind?”
    “You can read and write, and you know all the same sort of tales Imogene does,” Susara reminded him. “Between the two of you, you could come up with quite a few of your own.”
    Cutty and Imogene exchanged a quick look, and a smile formed on Imogene’s face. “We’ll do it!”
    “ We will?” Cutty squeaked. “I ain’t got time to write a book!”
    “We’ll do a penny dreadful,” Imogene said. “Or perhaps several of them. You know as well as I do that they’re short stories, nothing more.”
    “Not all of ‘em are. Besides, I gotta help Ryder with his house.”
    “Then while you’re doing that I shall begin to work on a story. You can help in your spare time. It will give me something to do while you’re occupied. You are going to stay there while you’re working for Ryder, aren’t you?”
    “Well, yeah, but I thought maybe ya …”
    “Just what are you saying?” Mrs. Dunnigan huffed. “Are you asking her to stay out there with you?”
    “Was I talking to ya?” he barked.
    “No, but it would be plumb indecent for you to have this woman out at Ryder’s with you.”
    “Mind yer own business!” Cutty said in exasperation. He then realized this was not the best place to tell Imogene he was going to miss her if she took to writing while he worked.
    “I’m sure Imogene will still get to see you, Cutty,” Sadie assured him. “Don’t worry, we’ll find a way.”
    Cutty felt his cheeks heat. All he and Imogene had wanted was to come into the mercantile and pick up her package. Now the whole town knew their business – if they hadn’t already. “Fine,” he said and grabbed Imogene’s hand. “C’mon, let’s go.”
    “Goodbye, Cousin Imogene,” Apple called after her. “We hope to see you again soon!”
    “Yes, at Constance’s house for dinner,” Penelope added.
    “I shall keep you informed,” Imogene said as they left.
    Cutty shut the doors. “Whew!” He said and wiped his brow. “I thought we’d never get outta there.”
    “Don’t tell me that a room full of women makes you nervous?” Imogene said with a smile.
    “No, but that tongue-waggin’ Fanny Fig does.”
    “Speaking of tongue wagging, you haven’t said anything to anyone about … you know …”
    “Land sakes, no,” he said. He looked around, saw no one nearby, and switched to his normal, non-Cutty voice. “You’re the only one that knows everything. I’ve not said a word to anyone else.”
    “Best to keep it that way,” she said. “Now, let’s go and see what sort of stories we have here.”
    A tingle of excitement went up his spine. At least back at the hotel it would be quiet. He held his arm out to Imogene. She took it and together they made their way back to the hotel to enjoy their