Death of a Pumpkin Carver Read Online Free PDF Page A

head, disappointed.
    â€œWhy is that?” Randy asked.
    â€œBecause if I was gay, I’d probably challenge that Brazilian husband of yours, Sergio, to a duel in order to steal you away for myself.”
    â€œOh . . . wow . . . that’s so sweet . . .” Randy stammered, now redder than Liddy, who had finally gotten herself under control.
    â€œI’ve always said, if I were to flip, you’d be the one, Randy,” Danny said, using his flashy smile to maximum effect.
    â€œOkay, Danny, that’s enough . . .” Hayley said.
    â€œDrinks all around, Randy. On me!”
    Everyone in the bar burst into applause and raised their glasses in Danny’s honor.
    Hayley’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor.
    Danny was buying a round of drinks?
    For the entire bar?
    Another first.
    Randy leaned down and whispered in Hayley’s ear, “I always wondered why you left him!”
    â€œSeriously? Have you forgotten about the week you had your grand opening of this bar and he stole cash from your register?”
    â€œHe paid me back. With interest. Even after I told him he didn’t have to.”
    Hayley couldn’t believe Randy was still susceptible to Randy’s alluring personality.
    He had certainly been around for all the tears and drama and when the kids were little and asking why their daddy was never around.
    But Danny just had this way of making people forget his bad side when he cranked up the charisma.
    â€œMona! I didn’t even see you sitting there!”
    Danny breezed over and put an arm around Mona, who slowly turned her head and stared up at him.
    Danny flinched.
    â€œMona, you look . . .”
    â€œCut the crap, Danny. I look exactly the same. Maybe a few more wrinkles on my face. The point is, you can save your breath.”
    â€œSo what’s new?” Danny asked.
    â€œI had my gall bladder removed. That’s about it.”
    â€œWell, it’s good to see you . . .”
    â€œNo, it’s not. I make you nervous.”
    Mona made a sudden movement, as if she was going to lunge at Danny, and it caused him to jump back.
    â€œSee? You’re about to piss your pants.”
    Danny decided to double down.
    He stepped bravely forward and put his arm back around Mona. “You don’t scare me, Mona. We’ve known each other ever since we were kids . . .”
    â€œIf you don’t remove your arm I’m going to cut it off and use it as fish bait the next time I take my boat out.”
    Danny quietly complied, removing his arm. He tried to laugh off the awkward moment. “You haven’t changed a bit, Mona.”
    Mona turned and looked him up and down with a dismissive glare. “Neither have you, Danny.”
    God bless Mona.

Chapter 6
    Gemma was busy coaxing a rather reluctant and moody Maine Coon cat into a carrier so his owner could take him home. She didn’t see Hayley and Danny enter through the front door into the waiting room of Dr. Palmer’s veterinarian office.
    â€œCome on, Ridley, you’re all better now. It’s time for you to go home and get back to chasing all the squirrels in your neighborhood,” she said softly, giving him a gentle shove on the butt until he was all the way inside and she was able to close the door and turn the latch.
    Danny watched his daughter, a big, wide grin on his face.
    Hayley could tell he was just bursting with pride.
    Gemma was a young woman now, in the middle of a work-study program, gaining real-life experience and hoping to one day start her own veterinary practice.
    â€œThank you, Gemma, I’ve never had an animal who didn’t want to leave the vet’s after an overnight stay. You must have some kind of magic touch,” a redheaded woman in a fur overcoat said, picking up the carrier.
    â€œWell, we had some time to bond while I was putting on his ointment,” Gemma said, laughing.
    She bent down and peered into the carrier where the Coon cat