Read Online Daisies for Innocence by Bailey Cattrell - Free Book Online
Authors: Bailey Cattrell
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much like the one at the bank’s drive-through, to get checks approved in the upstairs office overlooking the main floor.
One block was devoted to the courthouse, policeheadquarters, and the city jail. There was an antique mall, and a craft brewery that the tourists especially loved. Farther down, beyond the Roux Grill, the old stables where I’d stopped with Dash just the day before had been renovated, and Gessie King ran a trail rides and taught dressage on the side.
We passed the Hotel California, originally Poppyville’s saloon and brothel. Most people thought Poppyville was named for the state flower, but in truth it was named for the local madam, whose girls catered to the miners in the late 1800s. Her name was Pauline Thierry, but everyone called her Miss Poppy. She’d displayed a deft hand in guiding the development of what was then called Springtown, and after her passing, the town fathers had changed the name to Poppyville. One of those town fathers had been my maternal great-great-great-grandfather. I was one of few born-and-bred Poppyvillians.
I loved this town from stem to stern, and even after the divorce, when more than one person had suggested a fresh start somewhere else, I couldn’t imagine ever leaving. The place was in my blood.
As we walked by Deely’s Garage, I asked Astrid about her date the night before.
“Meh. You’re right. He’s not big on conversation.”
“Mmm. Sorry.” Then I asked as casually as I could manage, “So, guess who’s back in town?”
Astrid glanced over at me. “Who?”
“Thea’s big brother.”
“I didn’t even know she had a brother,” she said.
“Yup. Ritter. He’s been in Alaska. Some kind of environmental plant study in the tundra.”
“Plants, huh. That sounds right up your alley.”
“I guess.” I kept my voice noncommittal.
It didn’t work.
“Why, Ellie Allbright. You’re interested in him.”
“Nah, I just . . .”
“Tell me about him,” she urged as we neared our destination.
“I already have, at least what I know. I haven’t seen him for years. He’s back in Poppyville, helping Thea out at Terra Green while he waits for some grant money to come through.”
A skeptical expression settled on her face. “I’m sure there’s more you can tell me,” she said. “But I can wait.”
We’d reached the Roux Grill and stopped. The cedar siding was stained a warm reddish brown, and a hitching post ran alongside the covered boardwalk. The dozen tables arranged out in front and along the wraparound porch on the side were empty except for two couples taking advantage of happy hour. Big half-barrel planters stood at each corner, filled with sad pink petunias that looked as though they needed a dose of fish fertilizer to perk them up. When I’d been in charge of their care, the barrels had overflowed with a variety of vibrant blooms and sprays of fountain grass.
I put my hand on the wooden railing, trying for casual but actually feeling a little wobbly. “A martini would be nice.”
“Ellie,” Astrid said. “When was the last time you were in the Roux?”
I took a deep breath. “It’s been awhile.”
“When?”
“When I found Harris and Wanda Simmons doing it in the walk-in freezer.” I felt my nostrils flare. “I left and never came back.”
She stared at me. “Seriously? You managed to avoid coming in here all this time?”
“It’s only been a year,” I said.
“But this was your life. These were your friends.”
“I like my new life just fine,” I said. “And it’s not like this town is so big I never see any of them.” I lifted my chin. “But if we’re going to do this, let’s do it now.”
Astrid put her hand on the railing and grinned. “The walk-in freezer.” She shook her head. “I’d almost forgotten that part.”
I snorted out a giggle. It really was pretty funny.
Especially since I’d learned later that the lovebirds had waited half an hour to venture out. Probably afraid I’d be
One block was devoted to the courthouse, policeheadquarters, and the city jail. There was an antique mall, and a craft brewery that the tourists especially loved. Farther down, beyond the Roux Grill, the old stables where I’d stopped with Dash just the day before had been renovated, and Gessie King ran a trail rides and taught dressage on the side.
We passed the Hotel California, originally Poppyville’s saloon and brothel. Most people thought Poppyville was named for the state flower, but in truth it was named for the local madam, whose girls catered to the miners in the late 1800s. Her name was Pauline Thierry, but everyone called her Miss Poppy. She’d displayed a deft hand in guiding the development of what was then called Springtown, and after her passing, the town fathers had changed the name to Poppyville. One of those town fathers had been my maternal great-great-great-grandfather. I was one of few born-and-bred Poppyvillians.
I loved this town from stem to stern, and even after the divorce, when more than one person had suggested a fresh start somewhere else, I couldn’t imagine ever leaving. The place was in my blood.
As we walked by Deely’s Garage, I asked Astrid about her date the night before.
“Meh. You’re right. He’s not big on conversation.”
“Mmm. Sorry.” Then I asked as casually as I could manage, “So, guess who’s back in town?”
Astrid glanced over at me. “Who?”
“Thea’s big brother.”
“I didn’t even know she had a brother,” she said.
“Yup. Ritter. He’s been in Alaska. Some kind of environmental plant study in the tundra.”
“Plants, huh. That sounds right up your alley.”
“I guess.” I kept my voice noncommittal.
It didn’t work.
“Why, Ellie Allbright. You’re interested in him.”
“Nah, I just . . .”
“Tell me about him,” she urged as we neared our destination.
“I already have, at least what I know. I haven’t seen him for years. He’s back in Poppyville, helping Thea out at Terra Green while he waits for some grant money to come through.”
A skeptical expression settled on her face. “I’m sure there’s more you can tell me,” she said. “But I can wait.”
We’d reached the Roux Grill and stopped. The cedar siding was stained a warm reddish brown, and a hitching post ran alongside the covered boardwalk. The dozen tables arranged out in front and along the wraparound porch on the side were empty except for two couples taking advantage of happy hour. Big half-barrel planters stood at each corner, filled with sad pink petunias that looked as though they needed a dose of fish fertilizer to perk them up. When I’d been in charge of their care, the barrels had overflowed with a variety of vibrant blooms and sprays of fountain grass.
I put my hand on the wooden railing, trying for casual but actually feeling a little wobbly. “A martini would be nice.”
“Ellie,” Astrid said. “When was the last time you were in the Roux?”
I took a deep breath. “It’s been awhile.”
“When?”
“When I found Harris and Wanda Simmons doing it in the walk-in freezer.” I felt my nostrils flare. “I left and never came back.”
She stared at me. “Seriously? You managed to avoid coming in here all this time?”
“It’s only been a year,” I said.
“But this was your life. These were your friends.”
“I like my new life just fine,” I said. “And it’s not like this town is so big I never see any of them.” I lifted my chin. “But if we’re going to do this, let’s do it now.”
Astrid put her hand on the railing and grinned. “The walk-in freezer.” She shook her head. “I’d almost forgotten that part.”
I snorted out a giggle. It really was pretty funny.
Especially since I’d learned later that the lovebirds had waited half an hour to venture out. Probably afraid I’d be
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