Paint the Town Dead by Nancy Haddock Read Free Book Online

demonstration table.
    â€œMr. Boudreaux, you might want to find a seat before they’re all taken.”
    He drew himself up, looked down his nose at me. “I don’tintend to cause a problem—Nixy, isn’t it? I just want to see the tools Doralee intends to use.”
    He edged past me, not quite pushing me out of the way, but nearly so. I caught up at the demo table.
    â€œHmm. I wonder why she’s not using a rotary tool. It would be faster. Personally, I’d use a wood burner.”
    â€œThen you’d set off our smoke alarms, Mr. Boudreaux. And the power tool creates too much dust,” I said, arms folded.
    â€œAh, then I understand her choice of hand tools. Looks like a new set, too.” He peered at the tool kit, each tool nestled in a thin plastic molded space that fit its shape. He poked at a few, making the plastic crackle, then faced me. “Of course, one can do more with power tools. I’d be happy to demonstrate carving and burning methods outside. Give these people more gourd art ideas. “
    I bit off what I was tempted to say and forced a smile. “Our craft demo schedule is full, Mr. Boudreaux. For the entire week. Now, please take your seats.”
    â€œSome people would jump at that offer,” Kim huffed. “Come on, Ernie. Let’s go shopping.”
    They moved off, and I followed about five feet behind, blending with the crowd, but staying close enough to eavesdrop. Rude? The Six would say so, but I wanted to know if Ernie was plotting trouble.
    â€œYou go on if you want,” Ernie said. “Find Georgine and shop with her. I’m staying.”
    Kim heaved a sigh. “This was supposed to be a romantic weekend. First, you let your sister tag along with us, and now you want to be around Doralee.”
    Ernie stopped at Aster’s display of balms and soaps. “I told you. I need to know if she’s stealing my designs.”
    â€œI don’t see how she could be if you haven’t seen her for months and months. Not even at an art fair.” Kim gave Ernie the stink eye. “Besides, you’re supposed to ask her about the opal. You promised.”
    â€œI will, I will. After she finishes.”
    â€œFor cripes sake, Ernie, her room is next to ours. You could knock on the door anytime.”
    I nearly choked. They were all staying at Inn on the Square? Awkward.
    â€œShe’s with Zach. Would you appreciate her knocking on our door?”
    She heaved an exaggerated you’re-right-but-I-won’t-admit-it sigh. “Fine, we’ll stay, but you ask her about the opal, and then we do what I want.”
    Ernie didn’t respond but escorted Kim to the only empty seats in the middle row. I pivoted away and came face to scowling face with Georgine.
    â€œSo sorry. I didn’t know you were behind me.”
    â€œYou should watch where you’re going,” she snapped and brushed past me. I had to wonder if she’d heard Ernie’s and Kim’s exchange. Double awkward.
    At the demo table, I checked to be sure Doralee and Sherry had all they needed at hand. They did, and our gourd artist donned her smock, while my aunt wore an emporium apron. After I made the introduction, I stood at the far side of the sales floor, halfway to the front windows near Eleanor’s display of carved figurines. Georgine, I saw, had found a chair near the front but not that far from where Ernie and Kim sat.
    Doralee began by describing the various tools used both in wood and gourd carving, throwing out terms like veiners, gouges, and skews or chisels. She held each up in turn, and the audience was quiet enough that I could hear the flimsy plastic crackle as she removed each item. I didn’t notice that much difference in most of the implements, but I was also distracted by watching Georgine. She alternately ran her fingers around her rope necklace, and hooked her arm over the back of the folding chair to turn and glare