Cutty (Prairie Grooms Book 8) by Kit Morgan Page B

low-down, sniveling coward Thackary Holmes would do. “I ain’t that man no more!”
    But how long could he remain Cutty? He longed to use his normal accent and speech – lately he was doing so every time he thought he could get away with it. What if in a panic he forgot to talk like Cutty? Everyone would know, even if only a couple of folks heard him. News traveled fast in a small town like Clear Creek, even faster if Fanny Fig was involved! That busybody would spread the news faster than lightning, and then where would he be?
    He glanced at the nearest tree and cringed. Swinging from a branch, that’s where.
    Cutty reached his previous spot and went to work. Maybe if he labored hard enough, he could forget the mess he was in for a few minutes. Or possibly even work up the nerve to tell Nettie tonight.
    Another chill went up his spine. “I ain’t ready. I just ain’t!” he muttered, then “Consarnit, don’t be such a coward!” Great – now he was arguing with himself! He banged the hammer down harder than he should and heard a crack. He lifted the hammer to examine it.
    “Blast!” He’d broken the handle! Now he owed someone a hammer. He turned it in his hand and saw “Turner” carved into the wood. He glanced around, spotted Tom Turner sawing a board and began to make his way toward him. “What a day I’m havin’,” he said as he walked.
    But a broken hammer was the least of his worries. He was still thinking about what he was going to do that night. Sooner or later, he had to tell Nettie the truth.

Nine
     
    He didn’t do it.
    It wasn’t that he couldn’t; the words were on the tip of his tongue, ready to spill forth like a raging river. But Nettie was so happy with the dinner and dessert she’d prepared for him that he didn’t have the heart. He’d smiled and nodded, laughed, had a grand time. He supposed he was being selfish – he’d wanted one last heavenly evening with his daughter before he told her who he was. After that, she might never want to see him again.
    A week later, though, he still hadn’t confessed. He was starting to miss Nettie’s laughter and teasing. Ryder’s house was coming along nicely, enough to allow Ryder and Seth to take off hunting for a few days. And this time, Newton had gone along with them.  Constance went to stay with August and Penelope while Ryder was off, not wanting to spend that time alone. And Imogene hadn’t been feeling well, so she was staying close to home.
    Thankfully the weather was still fairly warm and the roof was done. But the house didn’t have any windows, doors, or a second-story floor, let alone amenities. Amon volunteered to keep working on it, having no orders to fill. Which was a miracle in itself, as his reputation for craftsmanship had spread as far as Oregon City – he’d just sent off a chair he’d made for a gentleman there.
    All this meant that Cutty had time to spare and he needed to use it wisely. Maybe he should borrow a horse from Chase at the livery stable and ride out to visit with Nettie. Now was the perfect opportunity, and he’d better take it.
    He hadn’t pictured talking alone with Nettie – he’d always imagined Amon there at her side. But maybe it was better this way – then he and Nettie could tell Amon together. Besides, Amon was one of the last people he wanted to upset. He liked him, a lot. In fact, there wasn’t anyone in Clear Creek that Cutty didn’t like. Not even Irene Dunnigan, and that said something.
    He decided to put this plan into action, went to the livery stable, borrowed a horse and headed for Nettie’s place. When he got there she was weeding her little garden. “Howdy,” he said as he rode up.
    “Well, hello,” she said as she straightened up from her work. “What brings you out here?”
    “Do I need an excuse to come give ya a hard time?”
    Nettie laughed. “Of course not. In fact, I was just going to put a kettle on the stove. Would you like some tea?”
    “Ya know I