Tea Cups & Tiger Claws Read Online Free PDF

small. No matter. She didn’t come to worship Sunny Slope. Everyone did that. She’d come as the specially invited guest of a duchess. Besides, if everything went well, the Newfields might just invite her to Sunny Slope as well.
    S he grabbed Jeb’s arm and looked into his eyes for reassurance. He looked out the window. She looked out the window too and saw two motorcars parked up by the house, a big one and a small one, both plain and humble, not the motorcars of a duchess. A group of men stood around the motorcars. Ermel stared intently and got a good look at everything when the Rolls turned into the circular drive in front of the house. The big motorcar especially caught her attention. Topless, it had long bench seats facing each other in the back and the words “Police Squad” painted on the side rail that enclosed the seats. All but one of the men, of which there were six or eight, wore police uniforms and shiny badges. When they came to a stop, the policemen spread out and surrounded the Rolls. Ermel looked at Jeb and said, “You dirty dog.”
    “Ermel, it ain’t like that. I can explain.”
    “Shut up.”
    They’d arrived but nobody moved. The chauffeur sat like a stone in the front seat, and the policemen outside stood motionless, alternating their stares between Ermel’s face and their shoes. Some commotion up on the front porch caught everyone’s attention. Mortimer Pugh and three women had just come out of the house and were now scrambling down the steps. Ermel looked at Pugh’s disagreeable face. He didn’t bother trying to crank that big frown of his into something more pleasant. No need. He had her right where he wanted.
    He flung open Ermel’s door and said, “This is Mrs. Vigfusson, the nanny, and her assistants. They will be taking the babies now.”
    Ermel looked away from Pugh, held her head high, and said, “I think not Mr. Pugh. That ain’t what we agreed to.”
    “And what agreement is that Mrs. Railer? Is it in writing? Can you show it to me? ”
    She didn’t answer.
    “This is Sheriff Fowler, Mrs. Railer,” said Pugh, pointing to the man without the uniform. “If you don’t honor our agreement, the sheriff and his deputies will make you honor it. And then I’ll sue you for breach of contract. You’ll lose the re-imbursement money, and, though your husband’s new job is in no way related to the adoption agreement, I wouldn’t be surprised if that disappeared too. You have a lot to gain Mrs. Railer…if you cooperate.”
    “Ermel , please. These people ain’t for us anyway,” said Jeb.
    “ Shut up Jeb! You’re a liar! And so are you Mr. Pugh. And not no accidental one neither, but a rotten one that lies on purpose.” She turned away and stuck her nose back into the air.
    “Obstinate little tramp!” huffed Mrs. Vigfusson , who then marched around the motor car and opened Jeb’s door.
    “No! No!” said Ermel. “I’ll give them to you ! Just give me a minute.” She looked at the three bassinets by her feet. “Hand me that one, Jeb,” she said, pointing to the one farthest away. Jeb picked up the bassinet and started to give it to Mrs. Vigfusson.
    “Not to her you idiot!” said Ermel.
    Jeb passed it to Ermel, who passed it to Pugh, who passed it to one of the assistants, who walked briskly away and into the house.
    “That’s a good girl, Mrs. Railer, a very wise decision,” said Pugh.
    “That one next,” said Ermel quietly, pointing to a bassinet.
    “Very good Mrs. Railer, very good ,” said Pugh, as he handed the bassinet to the other assistant. He then turned and held out his hands for the last baby.
    “That’s all Mr. Pugh. That’s all the duchess is getting.”
    “Come Mrs. Railer. You know that isn’t our agreement.”
    “And what agreement is that , Mr. Pugh? Is it in writing? Can you show it to me?”
    Pugh dropped his head and sighed. “Do you know what irrevocable relinquishment means Mrs. Railer? It means that once you say ‘yes,’ and