Read Online A Killer Stitch by Maggie Sefton - Free Book Online Page B

it backward all in one smooth movement. “Well, if I can get a few more volunteers, I’ll feel much better. That’s why I came here. I figured I could snag some folks who’d like to help out with the kids.”
    â€œWhat are you up to, Jayleen?” Curt asked.
    â€œOh, I stepped in at the last minute to help run a Christmas party for kids run by a local charity. And now I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I barely have time to get my work done at the ranch. God knows when I’ll ever be able to clear out all those packing boxes from my house. I may have to carry them to the barn, so we’ll have room for the party.”
    â€œWe can help with that, Jayleen,” Kelly offered. “I’ll get Megan and Lisa and Jennifer to come along early. We can help you clean up beforehand.”
    â€œI’ve got a better idea. Why don’t you leave those boxes be and bring those kids and everyone else out to my ranch?” Curt suggested. “I’ve got more space than I know what to do with.”
    â€œLord, Curt, we couldn’t impose like that,” Jayleen objected. “I was hoping you’d help with the kids. No need to go to all that trouble.”
    â€œNo trouble at all, Jayleen,” Curt said with a lazy grin. “I miss having folks over. Only one thing—my grandkids have to come along, too.”
    â€œHell, yes,” Jayleen exclaimed. “Bring ’em along. But are you sure you want a whole passel of kids runnin’ around your place? Now, me, I don’t have much they can mess up, but your house is all neat and tidy.”
    â€œAnd too damn quiet,” Curt said. “I’m rattling around there like a bean in a can. I’d welcome the commotion. Truth be told, the place is feeling pretty empty, especially with the holiday coming and all. By now, Ruthie would have the house all decorated. Hell, I may not even put up a tree this year.”
    â€œNow hold on, we can’t have that kinda talk,” Jayleen scolded. “Tell you what we’ll do. You buy the tree, and we’ll all come out early to decorate. The kids won’t be coming until two o’clock.”
    â€œHey, that’s a great idea,” Kelly joined in. “We can take over Curt’s kitchen and make brunch. If we have food, we’ll get more helpers. Then we’ll decorate Curt’s entire house before the kids show up.”
    â€œYou don’t have to do that, Kelly,” Curt protested.
    Kelly gave him a big grin. “Are you kidding? It’ll be a lot of fun, and, to quote your words, ‘it’ll be no trouble at all.’”

    â€œIt’s really coming down now,” Steve said, pointing through the windows at the falling snow.
    Kelly sipped her vodka martini and watched the snowstorm from their cozy corner booth in the Jazz Bistro’s lounge. Enticing rhythms pulsed through the air from the trio across the room. “I’m glad we’ve got that big, badass truck of yours to drive home tonight,” she said. “I’m also glad Megan and Sam worked us over quickly so we could have dinner.”
    Steve chuckled and settled back into the curved cushioned leather, resting his arm above Kelly’s shoulders. “They were merciful, that’s for sure. But we’re getting better, too, don’t you think?” He took a sip of his drink.
    â€œThere was only one way for us to go, and that’s up.” She nibbled a slice of baked Brie with raspberry sauce drizzled over it.
    â€œYou sound like you’re feeling better. Yesterday when you called me, you were pretty low.”
    Kelly gave a little shrug, then sipped her martini. “I’m all right now. It was just so frustrating to lose that great property a second time. But I was outbid, simple as that.”
    â€œAny idea who got the place?”
    â€œJennifer said some woman from the Midwest bought it for