Shear Trouble Read Online Free

there, smiling in your direction. Doesn’t she realize that you’re not interested? That you’re with me now?”
    Beatrice turned surreptitiously to see a woman near her age with red, upswept hair and a determined expression sitting with an older man with silver hair and very white teeth set in a tanned face.
    The man’s voice was deep and soothing. “Martha,you can’t think that Phyllis wants to get back together with me. She can see how delighted you and I are in each other’s company—it’s plain to everybody. Besides”—and now his voice had an embarrassed edge to it—“you do know how Phyllis’s and my relationship went the last time. It didn’t exactly end on a good note.”
    “She’s the kind of delusional person who just might believe she can get you back,” came the woman’s voice. She sounded put out.
    “You’ve got nothing to worry about, Martha. I’d simply ignore her behavior. After all, won’t you have to learn to deal with her? She’s in your quilt guild, isn’t she?” asked the man.
    “Not for long. Not if I have my way,” said the woman darkly.
    *   *   *
    That night, Noo-noo growled at the door and Beatrice, laying down her book, looked down at her in surprise. “What’s wrong, Noo-noo? What is it?” She listened for a moment, but didn’t hear anything, so she picked her book up again.
    Then there was another growl from the dog, this time more persistent. Beatrice listened, harder, and this time she heard something. “Is that an animal out there?” she muttered. Noo-noo gave a small woof of agreement.
    Beatrice flipped on the porch lights and peered out the window next to her front door, looking first to make sure there were no people out there lurking on herporch, then gazing down at the floor of the porch. But she didn’t see anyone, or anything, out there. “Noo-noo, I’m not sure what you’re hearing, sweetie. . . .” And then she stopped short, hearing the noise herself. She squinted, peering intently out the window at the corner of the porch. But she still couldn’t see anything.
    Beatrice cautiously opened the door just a crack and a little gray fuzzy paw immediately came through. She opened the door farther and a gray kitten bounced through the door, rubbing against her legs and purring. She was a beautiful bluish gray with blue eyes. “Where did you come from?” asked Beatrice as Noo-noo growled at the cute intruder. The growling didn’t faze the kitten whatsoever and she ran over to lovingly rub against the growling Noo-noo. The corgi gave Beatrice a helpless look.
    “Well, Noo-noo, it’s a chilly night, and our visitor did single us out to visit. She doesn’t seem to have a collar or belong to anyone. I guess she’s our guest until we figure out a long-term plan for her.” Somehow the little dog seemed to understand . . . and looked rather dejected.
    Clearly, something would have to be done about a makeshift litter box. Beatrice thought this through for a moment and then found a small cardboard box that she lined with a trash bag. She tore up some newspaper into strips for the inside and then put the kitten inside.Apparently, she didn’t have to go, though. And Beatrice was ready to turn in.
    Both animals followed her into her bedroom—Noo- noo probably to keep an eye on the little intruder. She lay down on the floor close to Beatrice, and the kitten somehow managed to jump and scramble and claw her way to the top of the bed, where she lay curled up against Beatrice’s leg.

Chapter Three
    The next morning was the perfect day for a fall quilt retreat. The skies were sunny and wispy clouds blew quickly through. There was a brisk breeze in the air, although it wasn’t quite cold—only a little crisp. Beatrice’s unexpected furry guest had behaved herself remarkably well and even figured out the temporary litter box. That afternoon, she went to the store and picked up cat food, toys, and a real litter box. Noo-noo had settled into wary