Three Secrets and Some Body's Ghost by Rita Kano

Author:Rita Kano [Kano, Rita]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-28T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Lettin’ the Cat Out of the Bag

Shirley and Agnes returned to the house where they found Quessie on the porch in a rocking chair with a glass of lemonade in one hand and a paper fan in the other.

“Agnes?” Quessie smacked the fan down. “What in this world? Tell me you didn’t drag Miss Shirley along on your chores.”

“Nothin’ for you to worry about, Miss Quessie,” Agnes plopped down on a chair.

Ice clinked as Quessie leaned over, “What goes on in your head gives me a lot to worry about. Miss Shirley’s our guest. That ain’t no way to…”

Agnes popped up from the rocker and headed inside. “That tinkling ice got to me. You thirsty, Miss Shirley? Want some lemonade?”

“Thanks. I’d much prefer ice tea, though, if you’ve got some.”

“Lemonade’s all gone anyway.” Quessie informed. “And there ain’t any more lemons.”

Agnes whirled around. “You mean to tell me you drank the whole pitcher. Just how many glasses full did you have?”

“Oh, quit gettin’ all ruffled up. You get more like Chicken every day. Besides, there’s a pitcher of tea already made up.”

“I wanted lemonade.” Agnes stomped away.

Quessie looked Shirley over, “What were you and Agnes doin’ out there?”

“Feeding the chickens, feeding the horses, you know, farm stuff.”

“A city girl like you…” Quessie covered her mouth. “Mercy me.”

Agnes came back from the kitchen with two glasses of tea. “I heard that. A few chores didn’t do her any harm. Did it, Miss Shirley?”

“Not a bit. I rather enjoyed it,” she said.

Quessie grazed over Shirley as if searching for bruise marks from Agnes having twisted her arm.

“Really, Miss Quessie, I needed something to do besides wait.”

“Well, okay. But just so you know, it ain’t the way we generally treat company.” Quessie slapped her hands together. “Lordy, I knew there was somethin’ different about you. What’s that you got on? That dress ain’t much more than a flower sack.”

“It’s one Eunice used to wear,” said Agnes, “before she put on ten pounds. And I put a couple more upstairs in Miss Shirley’s room. Or would you rather leave her in tattered clothes for three days?”

“I didn’t mean it bad,” said Quessie. “She just looks like a regular ‘ol country gal. That’s all. You look nice, Miss Shirley. And a whole lot more comfortable to look at, too, except for the shoes. Weren’t there none to fit you?”

Agnes shook her head.

“I’ll see what I can round up later on.” Quessie plucked off her glasses and wiped the lens. “Well, I do believe I’ve got spare time on my hands, if you girls ain’t against havin’ lightbread sandwiches for lunch.”

“Ha. Ain’t you putting on a show for Miss Shirley,” said Agnes. “I know you ain’t giving us a choice.”

“Sure, I am,” said Quessie. “Only, you’ll have to cook your own choice.”

“Lightbread sandwiches will be fine,” said Agnes.

Quessie tight tipped a smile. “My boots is in the barn. I’m gonna grab them and go for a ride. Care to join me, Miss Shirley?”

“Ride? Me on a horse? Oh, no.

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