Courting Trouble Read Online Free PDF Page A

of things they need, is all.’’
    His mouth hinted at a smile. ‘‘That may be true, but there is a difference in knowing a thing and actually making the sale.’’
    He stepped back and began to roll up the selection of hosiery Mrs. Quigley had decided against. ‘‘I have to admit,’’ he said, ‘‘having you here this past week has been wonderful.’’
    Her lips parted. ‘‘For me, too.’’
    ‘‘Well, perhaps we should make the situation a bit more permanent?’’
    She sucked in her breath. ‘‘Yes. Oh yes.’’
    He glanced at her and smiled. ‘‘Well, then. I shall pay you two dollars and fifty cents a week, starting now.’’
    She blinked. ‘‘No. I mean, that’s not necessary.’’
    ‘‘Of course it is.’’ He handed her the leather stockings and started on the wool. ‘‘You have a ribbon hanging down the left side of your hat.’’
    She stuffed it back up. ‘‘Thank you.’’
    ‘‘You’re welcome.’’ He handed her the rest of the hosiery and headed to his desk in the corner.
    ————
    July gave way to August, and the hot summer sun broiled Collin Street. Hamilton forced himself to smile and nod from the Slap Out’s front porch as horses, wagons, and townsfolk scurried to his competitor’s establishment, causing dirt to surge upward in constant turmoil.
    Word had spread early this morning that Charlie Gillespie and his boys had brought in a big black bear hide and traded it to the Flour, Feed and Liquor Store. Hamilton struggled to hide his chagrin.
    The Slap Out faced east at the corner of Eleventh and Collin, offering him a clear view of the Pickens’ place one hundred yards down on the opposite side of the road.
    He squinted into the sunlight. Jeremy Gillespie bounded out of the Feed Store and headed down the street, straight toward him.
    ‘‘Miss Spreckelmeyer!’’ the boy hollered, waving his hand high in the air. Essie had busied herself all morning dragging various goods outside in hopes of luring a few customers in, but even Vandervoort and his cronies had failed to make an appearance.
    She turned at the sound of her name, then leaned far out over the railing, waving back. The unladylike position hoisted up her hems, exposing her petticoats and a pair of well-worn boots. Her backside poked out in an ill-mannered fashion.
    ‘‘Hullo!’’ she yelled back.
    The Widow Yarbrough, passing by, jerked her gaze toward the spectacle, then raised a disapproving eyebrow at Hamilton. He cringed with embarrassment.
    Miss Spreckelmeyer’s toes left the plank flooring, and for one horrid moment he thought she might tumble right over the side, but she managed to keep her balance and land safely on the porch, showing no distress over her near mishap.
    ‘‘We caught us a bear,’’ Jeremy exclaimed.
    ‘‘I heard!’’ she answered. ‘‘You must tell me all about it.’’
    ‘‘Oh, you gotta see her to believe her. I’d have brought her to the Slap Out first, but last month you done said Mr. Crook’s got more hides than he needs.’’
    ‘‘And so he does,’’ she said.
    ‘‘Not bear hides,’’ Hamilton growled. ‘‘One can never have too many bear hides.’’
    She glanced up at him, a confused expression crossing her face. ‘‘Well, we have no one but ourselves to blame, Mr. Crook. ‘The miser is as much in want of what he has as of what he has not.’ ’’
    He stiffened. ‘‘There is no ‘we,’ Miss Spreckelmeyer. Furthermore, I am not a miser. And that black bear would have been mine if not for you.’’
    Jeremy whipped off his hat. ‘‘Beggin’ yer pardon, Mr. Crook. It weren’t Miss Spreckelmeyer’s fault Pa took the bear to old Mr. Pickens.’’
    She smiled. ‘‘Oh, but I’m afraid it is, Jeremy. I didn’t specify earlier that we are quite interested in large-game hides. It’s only the small ones that we no longer stock.’’
    Jeremy glanced between the two of them, then began to back up. ‘‘Wall, I’ll be sure to tell