Montana Blue by Hildie McQueen

Author:Hildie McQueen [McQueen, Hildie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pink Door Publishing
Published: 2014-06-14T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

His clerk, Charley Witt, avoided looking at Mitch when he emerged from the back room. His cheek still stung from Bethany's strike and he was glad that Charley did not ask questions.

Mitch went to a bin and helped an older lady. He lifted a bulk of fabric from her arms. Business was brisk for the next few hours and he was grateful for the distraction.

Had he been too harsh with Bethany? It was impossible not to feel anger every time his thoughts went to her. The Joneses were not to be trusted. However, her reaction at his callous words seemed to come more from hurt than rage.

“Looks like a busy day,” Charles Witt Senior’s voice shook him out of his musings. “I brought the scales back. They're in tiptop condition.” The older man smiled broadly and proceeded to scoop flour from a barrel into a sack for a customer. “How much would you like today, Mrs. Blakely?”

When Mr. Witt weighed the amount, he motioned for Mitch to see the scales were in order. He then directed the woman to the other counter where Charley, his teenage son, stood.

Mitch was glad to have recently hired Charley to help him at the mercantile. The Witts were poor but honorable. If there was someone perfect to take over the mercantile it was them. But with five children, they could scarcely afford to keep their repair shop open and the family fed and clothed. Much less purchase the mercantile.

“You're acquainted with Bethany Jones are you not?” Mr. Witt walked toward a shelf and leaned forward to inspect it. “She is from New York and we spent several hours talking earlier today. The wife was intrigued at Miss Jones’ independence. Working as a photojournalist. Who would believe that?”

“Yes, well...things are changing, Charles.”

“Oh, that's the truth.” The man narrowed his eyes and looked to the shelf again. “I may have to come and reinforce these. I don't want them to fall. After all, everyone knows I installed them.”

Mitch's relief at the change of subject was short lived. Mr. Witt smiled again. “What makes Miss Jones more intriguing is that she agreed to travel here with her parents. They asked her to accompany them west to help with her mother. She agreed even though they did not raise her. Said she barely knows them. The Joneses rarely visited her, it seems.”

“How long will she remain here?”

Mr. Witt shrugged. “I don't believe she said.”

Mitch looked past the older Witt to his son. It was time to close for the day and he considered if, perhaps, he should visit Bethany and apologize. What if she really did not have anything to do with whatever her parents intended?

But then again, what if she did?

The puppy barked as if prompting him to make a decision. “How about I feed you and then decide.” He headed to the back of the store where he'd set up a crate with a blanket along with food and water bowls.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.