Read Online Puss in Boots (Timeless Fairy Tales Book 6) by K. M. Shea - Free Book Online Page A

surprised when a tall, string bean of a woman stood next to her. “You’ll not find Glossy’s owner here,” she said. “He belongs to the constable, and he left this morning by mule-back to report our troubles to Castle Brandis.”
    “I see,” Gabrielle said, glancing over at Puss—still seated on the horse’s rump. “Thank you.”
    “My name is Lena. My husband, Jakob, and I run Green Ivy Inn,” the woman said, pointing to a homey, two-story building down the street. It was untouched by fire—although the front door was busted down. “It would please and honor us if you and your unusual cat stayed at the inn with us.”
    “I couldn’t—” Gabrielle started, looking at Puss for help.
    “I insist. The chickens you brought back belong to my family. We are much in your debt,” Lena said.
    “Oh, you don’t—”
    “Wied is a small village, my lady, but we are thankful and proud. It would be a sad day if we could offer nothing in return for your generous and brave deeds.”
    “Really, it was—”
    Lena ignored her protests and called her husband over. “Jakob. Would it not be natural for Lady Gabrielle and her gifted cat to stay with us?”
    “I’m not a lady,” Gabrielle said and was still ignored.
    Jakob was a short, bulldog of a man with a joyful, childlike smile. “That is a wonderful idea, my dear. Yes, I agree. You must stay with us, Lady Gabrielle—and don’t you even think about paying us even a copper. Wied owes you much,” Jakob said, shaking a thick finger.
    “But, I—” Gabrielle said.
    “What room shall she have?” Lena asked, verbally leading her husband on. “She is the village savior.”
    “The ivy room, of course,” Jakob said, nodding sagely. “Only the best for such an honored guest.”
    “Well chosen,” Lena said.
    “I could never think to—” Gabrielle tried.
    “But you will,” Lena said, which is how—less than twenty minutes later—Gabrielle found herself seated at a table in the Green Ivy Inn with a bowl of spaetzle stew and a plate of sweet rolls. She stared at the bowl before shifting her gaze to her feline companion, who was in the process of consuming a small plate of scrambled eggs. “How did this happen?” she asked.
    “You lacked the spine to refuse an innkeeper and his wife. That is how,” Puss said, licking his chops.
    “You make it sound so simple. That woman is a mountain cat,” Gabrielle hissed, glancing around the room. They were the only ones in the taproom, but Lena was back in the kitchen.
    “Yes,” Puss agreed.
    “And why didn’t you help me? You could have opposed her.”
    Puss consumed more eggs. “Perhaps, but I did tell you we would require no coin to travel comfortably.”
    “Puss, we can’t accept this. This village was just sacked by bandits!”
    “Don’t call me that. My name is Roland Archibald Whisperpaws the Fifth. And thanks to you, all they have to show for their trouble is a few burned buildings and some heavy clean-up. You returned their animals and coin to them, Gabrielle. You said yourself it would save them much heartache,” Puss said.
    “I know, but this feels wrong. We didn’t do enough to warrant this,” Gabrielle said as she took a spoonful of the stew. The spicy dish was decadent, and the spaetzle—dumpling-like egg noodles—fresh and tasty.
    “Speak for yourself. You defeated two bandits. I took out seven.”
    “Four. The two tipsy men and the one already sleeping don’t count,” she said.
    “I still had to work my charm on them, didn’t I?”
    “And I still had to tie them up.”
    “Now who is so eager to trumpet her good deeds?”
    Gabrielle propped her head upon her hand and stirred her stew with a frown.
    “I don’t understand you. You were angry with your parents because they would not help you, but now you are steeped in guilt because the villagers are thankful,” Puss said.
    “That is an unfair comparison. My parents are fine. The mill has been doing well, and we haven’t been