Gunns & Roses by Karen Kelly Read Free Book Online Page A

two more,” Carla answered. She fixed her dagger eyes on Annie. “The sweaters seem to be helping.”
    Annie wasn’t sure, but it seemed to her she’d just heard a positive statement from the crusty woman, sadly nicknamed “Carla Callous” by someone in Stony Point. “I’m glad to hear it,” Annie said. “Let us know if you need any more.”
    Carla jerked her chin down and up in response and continued on her way.
    Alice’s eyes followed the woman’s staccato pace until she disappeared around the corner. “Carla’s as different from your grandpa as a person can be, but there’s no denying she’s as strong an advocate for animals as he was.”
    “It would have been interesting to watch them interact, I’m sure,” Annie said, picturing the two veterinarians in conversation. That brought a smile to her face.
    Alice smiled too, but not because of Annie’s words. She had just noticed the beverage carrier in Ian’s hands as he came through The Cup & Saucer door, the one with two medium and two large coffee cups. “Now there’s a mayor who knows how to serve his constituents.”
    Annie’s head swiveled around to look, and then a laugh followed. “Yes,” she said. “Yes, he does. I might consider voting for him when election day comes around. He’ll be running on the ‘More Coffee for Every Cup’ platform.”
    “I’d be willing to hand out fliers for that campaign,” Alice practically cooed as Ian opened the back door.
    The mayor grinned and lifted one of the medium cups out of the carrier and presented it to Alice. A raised eyebrow replaced the woman’s coo. “It’s not nice to play a joke before caffeine has been administered.”
    Ian bobbed his head and set the smaller cup back into the carrier. “How could I forget? That’s one of the first rules I learned while preparing for government work.” He held out a large cup. “My apologies, Alice.”
    “If that second large cup is also for me, then apology accepted.” Alice flicked the cover flap up with a thumb and breathed in the strong brew. “Aaaah! The fog is already lifting.”
    Ian gifted Alice with the second large cup and took his place behind the wheel of his sedan, placing the remaining two cups in the holders between Annie and him. After tucking the carrier out of sight in the glove compartment, he started the engine, and craning his head, pulled out of the parking space. “Topsham Fairgrounds, here we come!”
    Alice lowered her coffee cup after a good deep draught. “Annie, I’ve been thinking. Did you bring the sporran and the ferrules with you? I realized it might not be the safest thing to do with the crowds.”
    “I thought about that too,” her friend replied. “So, I took some photos and printed them out.” She reached into her summer handbag and pulled out several pages. “These should be enough to show vendors, don’t you think?” She handed the photos back to Alice.
    Alice looked through them. “These should work fine. You’ve taken them from different angles so it’s almost as good as having the sporran with you.” She dangled the pages over the seat so Annie could put them back in her bag.
    “I did bring one of the ferrules,” added Annie. “But I left the others tucked away in Grey Gables with Boots as watch cat.”
    “I hope you fed Boots well for her assignment,” joked Ian as he turned off Main Street to head south.
    The two women snorted simultaneously. “It’s Boots we’re talking about here,” Annie reminded him. “Of course I did.”
    Alice chimed in. “Daring to leave Boots without her kibble is like denying Garfield his lasagna. Dangerous.”
    “I stand … uh, sit, corrected.” Ian smiled, realizing just how much he was looking forward to spending the entire day with the two vivacious friends.
    The ride to Topsham flew by on the speedy wings of conversation and wit. They were all taken by surprise when the sign for the turnoff to the fairgrounds appeared.
    “Where are we meeting the