Read Online Promise Made (The Callahan Series) by Mitzi Pool Bridges - Free Book Online

didn’t make goo-goo eyes at each other like teens. Nor did they touch every chance they had. Cute wasn’t so charming anymore, she fumed as she left the house and walked toward town. The walk would do her good. Besides, she needed the fresh air.
    How could she be jealous of Gram? That didn’t set well. But Gram had a relationship Kate envied. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. What was wrong with her?
    She didnʼt have time to dwell on the question because she was stopped several times. Everyone was aware Gram’s arm was broken. But that wasn’t what they asked about. Most of the questions were of the more personal kind.
    “I see the sheriff at Grace’s almost every day. Didn’t visit so often until now,” from Emma Wells.
    True. “Gram is one of his favorite people.”
    From Sadie Hicks, “What’s with Ed Clark? Every time I look up, he’s turning into Grace’s drive.”
    Ed and Dugan were the curiosities. As an afterthought, they’d ask, “And how’s Grace doing?”
    They knew exactly how Gram was doing. But Kate couldn’t—or wouldn't—answer the asked or the unasked questions about Ed or Dugan.
    Let the gossips draw their own conclusions.
    By the time she got to Carter’s Grocers, she couldn’t wait to get inside and away from the gossip. Even here, she was stopped and asked questions. Today, it wasn’t amusing. Today, she wanted to take her mind off her growing boredom.
    As she rounded the corner, she almost ran into Molly. “What are you doing here?”
    Molly chuckled. “Ran out of mustard, if you can believe it. I took advantage of the break between lunch and dinner to stock up. My order doesn’t come in until next week.”
    They walked side by side pushing their carts. “Hear you’ve been busy taking care of Grace.”
    “Yes, I have.”
    “You look tired.”
    “Not tired, Molly. Bored.” Kate glanced at her list, took a loaf of bread off the shelf.
    Molly laughed. “I’m not surprised. Why don’t you hang out your shingle? Karl fell asleep in the middle of a jury trial yesterday. The judge was so angry, he fined him a hundred bucks.”
    Kate giggled. If that had happened in Austin, the judge just might take the lawyer off the case and fine him a lot more than a hundred dollars.
    “Not sure that’s a good idea.”
    “Why not? What do you need? A desk? Computer? Bet you have those at Grace’s. Put an ad in the Oaktree Gazette . I’ll bet you won’t be quite so bored. Okay?”
    Kate laughed. “You have it all figured out.” She added a four-pack of strawberry yogurt to her basket.
    “There’s something you should know,” Molly said, a twinkle in her dark eyes.
    “What?”
    “The townspeople are taking sides on whether you and Dugan will get back together.”
    “I knew that.” Though it was too absurd to talk about. Dugan was still angry with her. Besides, he was in a serious relationship.
    Molly chuckled. “Wait until you hear the rest. They’re laying down bets. More than half want you two to get together, the rest think Dugan’s better off without the hussy who broke his heart when she left him at the altar.”
    Kate shook her head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Taking sides? Making bets? “Does Dugan know?”
    “I’m not sure. He knows everything going on in this town, but somehow I don’t think he’s gotten wind of this just yet.”
    “What will he do?”
    Molly shrugged.
    “Ohmygod. Should I tell him?”
    “Up to you. You could just ignore it.” She patted Kate’s arm. “I have what I need. Now you think about what I said and hang out your shingle.”
    Kate chuckled. The gossips had gone overboard. What next? There was nothing between her and Dugan now. After bringing her home from the hospital after Gram broke her arm, Dugan had been nice, but chilly.
    Molly’s suggestion, though, sounded pretty good. Could she do it? Could she work in Oaktree? Just how hard would it be? Her license was good. She would have real work to do and she’d still