You've Got Tail Read Online Free Page B

place did. Outside and across the street, a small crowd of about ten men and women gathered under the awning of the Johnson’s General Store. They kept looking over my way and talking amongst themselves. Babel relaxed against the hood of the Toyota. “Looks like you’ve given them something to talk about.”
    Apparently, I was quite the buzz about town. Hell, if they’d pulled out barbeque grills, we’d have had a regular block party going on. For a second I thought they might be the welcome wagon, but no one held pies or baskets of goodies, so…Probably not.
    Bravely, I smiled, showing lots of teeth, and waved.
    This action must’ve startled them, because they all looked away at once. Well, if they were going for inconspicuous, they were failing miserably.
    â€œHello,” I said loudly, sounding more in command than I felt, and more foolish than brave, I walked across the street to join them. After all, we were going to be neighbors, and they might as well meet me face-to-face. “I’m Sunny. Sunny Haddock.” I pointed to the sign over the diner. “The Sunny in Sunny’s Outlook. Chavvah Trimmel’s partner.” Just in case they missed the connection. They were looking at me as though I’d just beamed down from the mother ship after creating crop circles. Maybe it was the clothes. “I’m from California,” I explained.
    â€œI’ve got a brother in California,” a young woman with brown hair and warm brown eyes said.
    â€œOh, whereabouts?” Finally someone brave enough to make small talk, and I wasn’t going to let the opportunity go by.
    She gave me a funny look. “Just outside the town. He’s got a few acres of land up there.”
    Up there? “Up around Pismo Beach? Or closer to Oxnard?”
    â€œNo, just outside California.” She looked as confused as I felt. “You know, the county seat of Moniteau. Where are you from again?”
    â€œCalifornia. Lakeside. It’s in San Diego County.”
    â€œOh.” She grinned, and it was nice. Friendly even. “My brother lives in California, Missouri. My fault.” She held out her hand. “I’m Ruth. Ruth Thompson.”
    I laughed and she chuckled, throaty and real. I liked her. She seemed sassy. Taking her hand, I shook it firmly, placing my left hand over the top. “It’s so nice to meet you, Ruth.”
    â€œMy husband Ed and I own Doe Run Automotive at the end of town. Once you get settled in, come on down for some coffee and pie.” She garnered several harsh stares and mutters from the others after her generous offer. “Oh, shut up, y’all. I’m allowed to invite someone for pie if I want to.”
    While they hadn’t said anything out loud, I knew exactly where she was coming from. Two men sporting long white beards, and desperately in need of grooming tips, stepped forward next. They had milky blue eyes and wide mouths and looked identical. Both wore overalls covering their rounded bellies. “I’m Delbert Johnson,” one of them said, then nodded toward the other. “This is my brother Elbert. We own the general store.”
    Delbert and Elbert; that explained the similarities. They had to be twins. “Nice to meet you, neighbor.” I smiled, and despite their crotchety demeanors, they smiled back. Nice white teeth. Unexpected really. Then one by one, the rest introduced themselves.
    â€œElton Brown, I own the used furniture shop up the way.”
    A brunette with a severe bun went next. “Becky Baker, I have a bakery just down the block. I know, I’m a baker who married a Baker.” She grinned at her own joke. “Life’s funny like that sometimes.”
    â€œBlondina Messer. Blonde Bear Cafe.” The largish woman, with big platinum-blonde hair, bright-blue eye shadow, and a tan that would make George Hamilton jealous, pointed up the road. “You can see the