Paint the Town Dead Read Free Page B

much as speak a stern word to the man, Doralee cleared her throat with an attention-grabbing “Ahem.”
    â€œMy name is no longer Boudreaux, Ernie. It’s Gordon again, as you well know,” she said firmly. “Had you been here at the start of the class, you’d know I did mention you and your birdhouses. Class, this is Ernie Boudreaux, my ex-husband. Who didn’t teach me quite everything I know.”
    She said the last bit with a twinkle in her eyes, but no one made a peep for a long moment. Then Jasmine piped up.
    â€œI don’t care who the flip he is. He made me mess up my gourd.”
    A few students snickered. Ernie flushed but didn’t retreat.
    â€œNot to worry, Jasmine, I’ll help you fix it. Zach, would you be a dear and fill a few of those little tubs with water?”
    I’d been so focused on Doralee, I’d forgotten her gentleman friend had been sitting at the far table. He’d obviouslyrisen when Ernie burst in because he was already on his feet. With a nod to Doralee, he went to the utility sink.
    â€œThank you. A wonderful reason to use acrylics, class, is that it’s a forgiving medium on a hard surface like a gourd,” Doralee continued, going right on with class, and, bless her, heading directly to Jasmine as she spoke.
    She didn’t spare Ernie another glance. I still stood directly in front of him, and took a step closer to really shift his attention away from Doralee. Dab flanked me.
    â€œTime to leave, Mr. Boudreaux,” I said quietly so as not to disturb the class further.
    He straightened to his full height, which made him shorter than Dab but towering over my five-three.
    â€œI understand this class is open to anyone.”
    â€œTo anyone who pays the twenty dollars, although I should charge you double for causing a scene.”
    â€œDone,” he said, a sly smile inching onto his lips.
    I hadn’t expected that response, but nodded. “Fine. Dab, will you please escort Mr. Boudreaux to the cash register?”
    â€œWhat about his companions?” Dab asked. I raised a brow. “Two ladies came in with him. Aster’s got them corralled in the store.”
    â€œThey pay the fee, they can take what’s left of the class.” I gave Ernie the stink eye. “But you do anything to annoy me or interrupt the class, and you’re out of here. I keep the class fee. Got it?”
    He arched a bushy brow. “Ferocious little thing, aren’t you?”
    â€œDarn right.” I didn’t let being called “little thing” bother me. I
am
short, and I look younger than my almost thirty years. Especially since my hair is nearly always in a ponytail.
    Staying focused on the matter at hand, I watched as the rude man turned smartly and headed for the door. This time he opened it quietly. Dab gave me an I-hope-you-know-what-you’re-doing look and trailed after Ernie.
    Me? I let out a long breath, willing my surge ofadrenaline to subside. I gave a brief thought to snagging some calming lavender from Aster to sprinkle or spray around the room, but there wasn’t time. I needed to join Zach at the utility sink to help dole out the water buckets. We’d completed the task when the door quietly opened again to admit Ernie and two women.
    I did a double take at the woman clinging to Ernie’s arm like a Texas sticker burr. The auburn-haired beauty had to be twenty years his junior. It also struck me that, except for having a more pampered, polished look, she resembled Doralee enough to be a sister. She even wore the same general outfit of jeans and a collared blouse. But while Doralee sported a simple, unadorned style, the younger woman was decked out in what looked like real silk and jewelry in silver settings. Dangly earrings, a pendant, three silver bracelets, and a diamond boulder on her left ring finger. Wowza! Sure seemed that Ernie had replaced Doralee with a younger, poutier, more expensive