Read Online Bluegrass Courtship by Allie Pleiter - Free Book Online Page A

pairing her up. “No.”
    â€œYou’re sure?”
    Janet rolled her eyes and flipped the switch to turn the machine on again. It made a whining sound she’d never heard before, but eventually wheezed into action. “The guy is a walking amusement ride—more ups and downs than a roller coaster. I’m having trouble enough just working with him.”
    â€œMaybe there’s another reason why. A more personal reason?”
    â€œPlease. Leave the hero worship to Dinah.” Janet fiddled with a knob or two until the whining stopped. “I’m sure the way to that man’s heart is through Muffinnovations. Even Gina baked him a pie the other night and made us try it.”
    Emily put a hand on one hip. “You took Drew Downing to Deacon’s for pie?”
    Janet lowered her voice to an aggravated growl. “I was dragged to Deacon’s for pie by Drew Downing. The man’s an unstoppable force.”
    Emily waved a pile of papers like a fan. “So it seems.”
    Â 
    Emily got the chance to learn that for herself the next day. Janet was just finishing boxing up some hinges to take over to the site when Emily practically ran into the shop. “I’m asking you,” she said as she caught her breath, “as a friend, Janet, don’t sell it to them. Don’t let Downing do it.”
    â€œDo what?”
    â€œDon’t you sell him that paint.”
    â€œWhat paint, Emily?”
    At which point Drew burst through the door, running as well. Janet decided Emily must be a pretty good runner to have beaten him, for it looked as if they’d raced here. “You’re kidding, right?” Drew said as he stalked up the aisle toward Janet. “The church isn’t allowed to have a green door?”
    Emily squared off at Drew right in front of Janet. “No, it isn’t. The church door must be blue.”
    Drew scowled. “Does Howard know that? He’s up there making all kinds of suggestions to my team.”
    â€œThe door’s always been blue. The church is white with a blue door.” Emily said it as if it were a law of nature.
    â€œAnd green is…” Drew said, looking at Janet for an explanation.
    â€œNot blue,” Emily said before Janet could even open her mouth.
    â€œDid I mention Emily is chairman of the Preservation Task Force?” Janet offered, trying to put a friendly tone back into this near-argument.
    â€œOh,” said Drew slowly, “so you’re that Emily. Gil told me I might have a run-in with you before this was over.”
    Way to put your foot in your mouth, Drew Downing, Janet thought. You’ve done it now, mister. You’re officially beyond my help.
    â€œHe said what? ” Emily shot back. “Just what did Gil say about a ‘run-in’ with me?” She shifted her weight, and Janet thought both Gil and Drew were about to regret any further comment. Whatsoever.
    â€œHoward was, you know, strongly suggesting some color scheme change for the church exterior. I was asking him who else might need to be in on a decision and…I met Emily here. Who evidently also has…some very strong opinions on the subject…which Howard had not mentioned.” Drew was talking in the short, carefully crafted phrases of someone who knows they are in a heap of trouble.
    â€œAnd Howard, I suppose, was telling you he was the only person who needed to be consulted?” Janet offered. It was possible. Howard was the chair of the Buildings and Grounds committee, and even back when Janet sat on their committee, Howard would often make decisions without committee input.
    â€œWell, you know Howard,” Drew explained, running his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t really think he had the only say, but I didn’t think I’d stepped on an exterior semigloss landmine, either.”
    â€œWelcome to Middleburg,” Janet said to Drew, “where we take our