Bad Penny Read Online Free PDF Page B

gray and overcast and, as the day wore on, it continued to worsen. The air was sultry—barely stirring—and there was a gray-green cast to the clouds that warned of the possibility of hail accompanying the gathering storm.
     
    Carter and Wilson were at the barn working on a hay rake. Every so often, one of them would stop and glance up at the sky before returning to work.
     
    Cat was on her way to Austin with the radio on her favorite country station, while thinking of Shelly Green’s hasty exit from Texas and her
     
    abusive boyfriend, Wayne.
     
    She thought back to earlier that morning, when she’d received an unexpected call from the girl….
     
    “Hey, Cat, it’s me, Shelly Green.”
     
    Cat absently pushed up the sleeves of her yellow shirt as she sat down to take the call, relieved to hear the girl’s voice.
     
    “How are you doing?” she asked.
     
    “That’s why I’m calling,” Shelly said. “I just wanted you to know that I got me a job working at one of them Seattle coffee shops. They’re all over the place, and you wouldn’t believe how many ways they got to make a plain old cup of coffee.”
     
    Cat laughed. “Good for you. Did you find a safe place to live?”
     
    “Yep. Nice little efficiency apartment over the garage of a retired dentist and his wife. I’ll be fine. I just wanted you to know that and to tell you…to say…”
     
    Cat heard the catch in Shelly’s voice and knew she was trying not to cry.
     
    “You’re welcome,” Cat said, then heard Shelly sigh before she managed to continue.
     
    “I won’t ever forget what you did for me, and I remember what you said. One day I’ll pass the favor on, right?”
     
    “Right,” Cat said.
     
    “So, I guess I’d better go. I don’t want to be late for work. Thank you again, Cat Dupree.”
     
    “You’re welcome,” Cat said.
     
    When the dial tone sounded, she disconnected, then glanced at Dorothy, who was at the sink peeling potatoes.
     
    “That was Shelly Green,” Cat said. “She made it to Seattle, and she already has a job and an apartment.”
     
    Dorothy frowned. “Thanks to you,” she said. “I don’t know what might have happened to her if you hadn’t come along. Wayne’s family is just horrified by his behavior. I heard at church that his daddy is sending him to Michigan to live with his brother Joe, who’s a cop up there.”
     
    Cat thought of the man who’d come close to ending their lives and decided that spending a few winters plowing through the Michigan snow would be good for him.
     
    “Life is always a surprise in the making,” Cat said, and then began washing her hands. “Want some help?”
     
    Dorothy could tell Cat wasn’t going to discuss her Good Samaritan act
     
    again, but it didn’t matter.
     
    Once, she’d feared her eldest child would wind up an old bachelor, but no more. She already had an opinion of the woman her son was in love with and she was thoroughly convinced the girl had been worth the wait.
     
    “I’m making pie crusts,” Dorothy said. “If you’ll peel these apples, it will cut the prep time in half for me.”
     
    “Consider it done,” Cat said, and happily began the task. Working in tandem with anyone, especially a woman, was new ground for her, and she was liking it.
     
    A short while later, they had two pies in the oven and were cleaning up the kitchen when Wilson and Carter came in the house.
     
    “Something smells good,” Wilson said.
     
    Carter winked at Cat as he moved past her and gave Dorothy a quick hug. “Honey, you make coming home a pleasure,” he said softly, and kissed the side of her cheek.
     
    Dorothy beamed.
     
    “Come outside,” Carter said. “I’ve got something to show you.” “What is it?” Dorothy asked.
     
    “The old barn cat had herself some kittens, and she’s gone and brought
     
    them all up to the house. I heard them mewing inside the old doghouse.”
     
    “Oh my goodness,” Dorothy said, and hustled