Read Online Romeow and Juliet by Kathi Daley - Free Book Online

to accommodate the hired help.
    Mr. Parsons had made a home within a home by utilizing the downstairs bedroom, the nearby bath, the kitchen, and the study.
    “I brought you some enchiladas,” I greeted the man, who smiled when Max trotted over to say hi. “Would you like me to heat some up for you now?”
    “No. Just leave them in the refrigerator. I’ll have them later.”
    I left Max with Mr. Parsons while I headed to the kitchen to do as he’d asked. The room really could use a good cleaning. Maybe I’d come back to straighten up before I left. I opened the refrigerator and frowned. The shelves that should have contained food were almost barren. I closed the door and returned to the study.
    “I was wondering if you could do me a favor,” I said.
    “Depends.”
    “I really need to run to the grocery store to pick up a few things. Do you mind if I leave Max here with you?”
    “I guess that would be okay.”
    “I noticed you were out of eggs. I’ll get some for you while I’m there. Is there anything else I can pick up?”
    Mr. Parsons hesitated.
    “I really don’t mind, and you’re taking care of Max for me,” I encouraged.
    “Guess I could use some bread, and maybe a nice piece of fish for my dinner.”
    “Okay. I’ll see what I can find. And thanks for watching Max. I won’t be but a few minutes.”
    “Take your time. Max and I will be fine.”
    I paused. “If you really don’t mind keeping an eye on Max I do have a couple of other errands I could see to.”
    “Like I said, take your time. Max and I are going to see what’s on television this morning.”
    “Then I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
    I decided to stop in at Mrs. Trexler’s before heading to the store, where I planned to buy enough groceries to fill up Mr. Parsons’s refrigerator and pantry. I knew he would enjoy spending some time with Max, and Max always enjoyed spending time with Mr. Parsons. I’d unsuccessfully tried to talk him into adopting one of our cats, but maybe a dog? I’m not the sort to try to second guess everyone’s motive for doing what they do—okay, maybe I am—but I did think Mr. Parsons’s lifestyle could only be enhanced by the addition of a pet.
    After I dropped off Mrs. Trexler’s enchiladas and sat down to visit for a while, I decided to stop by the Bait and Stitch, the shop my aunt owns with her best friend Marley, to ask about the lab mix Marley’s neighbor was trying to find a home for. The Bait and Stitch is located in the tourist town of Pelican Bay, and while the eclectic little shop has a local following, its location near the wharf, where the ferry docks, brings in a good amount of tourist traffic as well.
    “Mornin’,” I greeted the occupants of the brightly lit shop, which included Marley and five other women sitting at a large, round table working on the quilt I knew they intended to donate to the church bazaar.
    “Mornin’, Cait,” the group answered back.
    “Where’s Aunt Maggie?” I asked. Normally, you would find her working the counter at this time of day.
    “She wasn’t feeling well, so she decided to stay home,” Marley informed me.
    “I didn’t realize she was worse today,” I said. “Francine stopped by early this morning to read me the riot act after Romeo decided to sneak under the hedge and romance Juliet, and somehow the day got away from me. I’d better stop in to check on her.”
    “I would feel better if you did,” Marley told me. “I have to say, I’m really getting worried about her. Every time I think she’s getting better she has a setback.”
    I frowned. “I know what you mean. She seems to have settled into this pattern where she’ll become really ill, miss a week or two of work, start to feel better, resume her normal routine, and then get sick again. I think she overdoes things when she starts to get better and then has a relapse.”
    “I agree.” Marley looked worried. “I’ve tried to talk to her about taking things slowly, but