Good Girls Do by Cathie Linz Read Free Book Online Page A

gone.
     
     
    “Julia, dear, I hate to bother you, but did you know that there are wild animals in your backyard?”
    “They’re not wild. They’re llamas. And yes, Mrs. Selznick. I know they’re there. But thanks for checking on me.”
    “I was going to call the police, but thought I should call you first.”
    “And I appreciate that.”
    “I’m not sure we’re allowed to keep llamas in our back-yards here in Serenity Falls,” Mrs. Selznick hesitantly pointed out.
    “I’m looking into making alternative arrangements for them.”
    “Mr. Perkins runs a dairy farm outside of town. Maybe he could help you out. He’s a second cousin of mine. Would you like me to give him a call?”
    “Thank you. I’d appreciate it.” She prayed that Mrs. Selznick hadn’t seen Luke carrying her home last night, half-naked.
    Ten minutes later, the mayor showed up on her doorstep. “I hear you’ve got llamas. Are you thinking of using them as prognosticators instead of a ground hog or woolly worms?”
    “Possibly.” Any excuse was welcome at this point.
    Walt frowned. “They’re not really indigenous to these parts.”
    “True.”
    “Well, keep me posted on the situation.” Walt was studying the clipboard he often carried with him, his thoughts clearly already on the next item on his agenda.
    “I’ll do that,” Julia promised.
    “And find another home for them,” he added. “I’m sure there’s an ordinance against keeping livestock in a residential area.”
    “I’m working on it.”
     
     
    Luke was walking down Cherry Lane to Julia’s house to retrieve his leather jacket and steal more kisses when he spotted Walt with a ruler in his hand. The middle-aged mayor had some kind of Mr. Rogers thing going on today, complete with baggy cardigan and khakis. He was even humming “Welcome to the Neighborhood” under his breath while he . . . it looked as if Walt was measuring the height of the grass in someone’s front yard.
    “Do you have a permit to carry that ruler?” Luke demanded in a mocking voice.
    Walt frowned at him, clearly not appreciating his attempt at humor. “There is no regulation requiring me to have a permit.”
    “So what are you doing?”
    “Official business.”
    “Since when does the mayor go around measuring peoples’ lawns?”
    “Since we passed an ordinance limiting the height of the grass.”
    “You’re joking.”
    “I wouldn’t joke about something this serious.”
    “Of course not. What about the number of leaves on the ground? Do you have an ordinance on that, too?”
    “Not that lists specific numbers, no. I tried to pass one, but the other members of the town council preferred more general language.”
    “Well, Walt, don’t let me keep you from your official totalitarian duties.”
    Walt frowned at him. “Are you calling me a Communist?”
    “No, I’m calling you an idiot.”
    As Luke walked away, he wondered how he was going to survive the next six months stuck here in this obsessive smallville. Then he got some news that made him smile. Julia Bo Peep was minding a flock of wildlife.
    He found Julia in her backyard. “Your neighbor told me you were out here with your llamas.”
    “They’re not my llamas.”
    “They’re in your backyard.”
    “They belong to my mother. Meet Lucy and Ricky. Be careful. I read somewhere that llamas can spit if they get angry.”
    “Sounds like some of the customers at Maguire’s.”
    “Really? I’ve never seen any spitting there. The place has been very tidy, and they have an excellent cheese-burger. The décor is a little dark, however. And the menu could use sprucing up.”
    “What? You want to turn the pub into one of those trendy tofu places?”
    “Who said anything about tofu?”
    “You keep llamas in your backyard. Don’t tell me you’re not some health-food addict.”
    She was actually addicted to Pop-Tarts and had a stash of them hidden in the cabinet above the stove, but she wasn’t about to share that info