Dropped Dead Stitch by Maggie Sefton Read Free Book Online Page B

Everett at his truck. Confront the bastard and see if she could spook him. Once Dr. Norcross had confronted Everett, he’d definitely kept a low profile. No one saw him around the ranch all day yesterday. Only the glow of his cigarette and the constant hacking smoker’s cough floating on the night breeze gave a clue as to his presence on the deck yesterday evening.
    Kelly called out as Everett neared his truck, “Everett! I want a word with you.”
    Cal Everett spun about, and to Kelly’s immense gratification, actually looked apprehensive as she strode up to him. She was almost as tall as he was, and Kelly pulled herself to her full height as she put her hands on her hips and glared at him.
    “Yeah, what is it?” Everett said warily, glancing about the barnyard.
    “I want to put you on notice that if you ever get anywhere near my friend Jennifer again, you’ll regret it. First, you’ll have to get past me. And the rest of her friends back in Fort Connor will be watching your every move, Everett. One of them is a retired cop, so you can be sure your license plate will be checked out. You’d better stay up here in the canyon and keep out of Fort Connor, if you know what’s good for you.”
    Everett’s shifty blue gaze darted around. “Listen, I don’t want any trouble, you hear.”
    Kelly advanced closer, her finger pointed close to his chest. “You stay away from Jennifer, or her friends will beat the snot out of you,” she warned, borrowing Jane’s colorful phrase.
    Everett’s gaze hardened. “I don’t take to threats,” he snarled.
    “Then stay away from Jennifer.” Kelly leaned closer and jabbed her finger into his chest before turning away.
    Kelly was startled to see Donny and Marie right behind her, staring wide-eyed at the confrontation. Their expressions clearly revealed surprise at what they overheard. Kelly sped past both of the college student helpers as Cal Everett’s huge truck engine rumbled to life.
     
     
    “Hey, look at that,” Jane said, holding up the completed washcloth. “It doesn’t look half bad.”
    “It looks better than that, Jane,” Lisa said. “You’ve done a great job. Anybody else finished a washcloth?”
    “Working on it,” Sue said. “Maybe I’ll finish it this afternoon rather than go riding. Can we stay here on the deck?”
    “Sure, I think we can stay until the kids set up for dinner.” Lisa picked up Jennifer’s pale pink afghan and draped it over the deck railing for all to see. “See how much Jennifer got done just sitting out here. Projects go pretty quickly with the larger needles.”
    Kelly glanced at her watch. “Actually, Donny and Marie will be setting up for dinner pretty soon. Would you believe it’s nearly four thirty?”
    “Isn’t it amazing how time flies by when you’re doing this fiber work. Does everyone notice, or is it just us?” Dr. Norcross asked as she stood up.
    Dawn pushed back her chair. “Well, I certainly had forgotten how satisfying and relaxing this was.” She held up a pink and yellow eyelash scarf. “I’m going to keep this going. When did you say the shop gathers around the table?”
    “Well, you can always find people around the table, no matter when you come,” Lisa said, gathering up the extra yarns and shoving them into a tote bag. “But there’s an evening session on Tuesday nights as well as morning and afternoon sessions. Just bring your work, and you’ll always find someone there.” Kelly and Jennifer joined her cleanup, collecting stray needles and hooks and scissors.
    Donny and Marie appeared on the deck then, bright smiles in place. “Hey, folks, we’re going to set up for dinner now.”
    The rest of the women took their yarn projects and began to leave, as the two helpers started rearranging tables.
    “What’s for dinner?” Lisa asked as she followed behind the others leaving the deck.
    “Spaghetti and meatballs,” Marie sang out cheerfully. “I’ll be ringing the bell in a half hour,