Something Old, Something New Read Free

entered with Cliff Dobbs. Cliff, Mal, and Genevieve had grown up together in Henry Adams. Cliff had quietly loved Genevieve since their teen years, but when it came time to marry, Genevieve had chosen Riley. Now they were divorced, and after all she’d endured at the hands and hooves of Riley and his six-hundred-pound pet hog, Cletus, no one could much blame her. While once Genevieve had been the epitome of decorum and good taste, Riley’s antics had so changed her personality that the sight of him was liable to send her around the bend. Mal and Trent exchanged a look of worry.
    Trent asked, “Has the court date been set for Cletus and Riley?”
    â€œNot so far. Judge is still viewing the case law.”
    Two summers ago, Cletus had sat on a man and killed him. The county planned to put the hog down, but before the paperwork could be finalized, Riley had helped Cletus escape, and the two went on the lam. Earlier this summer, the two were finally apprehended down in Louisiana and extradited back to Kansas. No one knew how or when Riley had first hooked up with Ms. Pennymaker and her huge sow, Chocolate.
    Mal added, “Word is, Judge Davis may not hold the hearing until next spring. Me, I can’t wait. Plenty of folks around here would love to put that hog on a spit with lots of barbecue sauce.”
    Trent hoped Genevieve would ignore the couple, but no. Apparently this was her first sighting of her ex, too; upon seeing him, she went stock-still and flames seemed to leap from her eyes. Riley had always been clueless about her moods, and to prove it, he stuck out his tongue at her and with a dismissive air turned his attention to his menu.
    Trent shook his head sadly.
    â€œDoc, do you have your medical bag?” Mal asked Reg.
    The chuckling Reg hoisted it up for Mal to see.
    â€œGood. We may need you. Excuse me, fellas.” Mal left the booth and headed over to intercept Genevieve, now barreling down on Riley like a tank. When she spied his approach, she yelled, “Stay out of this, Malachi!”
    The story of Riley, Genevieve, and Cletus had become the stuff of legend, and everyone in the Dog stared on, riveted.
    Apparently Cliff had been told to stay out of it, too, because he was still standing at the hostess station up front. Trent saw displeasure on his face, but it was impossible to determine whether his ire was directed at Genevieve, Riley, or both.
    Genevieve walked over to the smug-looking Riley and for the moment ignored him. Instead she politely introduced herself to the wary-eyed Ms. Pennymaker, who replied, “Um, pleased to meet you, too.”
    Genevieve gave her a tight, fake smile before she turned blazing eyes on her ex, who had the nerve to say, “I hope you’re happy, Genevieve. Cletus and me wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for you.”
    The onlookers slowly shook their heads.
    The outdone Genevieve rared back and decked Riley with a punch so hard he was already out cold when he slid beneath the table and disappeared. The wide-eyed Eustasia cried out, “Riley! Honey!” and immediately ducked her head beneath the tabletop.
    Reg grabbed his bag.
    The seething Genevieve stood over the booth.
    Trent figured that the force of the blow had probably broken her hand, but she didn’t appear hurt. Too mad, probably.
    As Reg saw to the knocked-out Riley, Rocky hurried over to offer Genevieve a bowl of ice to stick her hand in. Trent glanced around, taking in the shocked but amused faces of the other diners, and wondered if other small towns in America started their mornings this way.
    L ily Fontaine frowned as she sat at her kitchen table and slowly leafed through a large stack of bridal gown catalogs. The fancy designer gowns were absolutely gorgeous, but money to buy them could feed a family of four for a year. She and Trent were scheduled to tie the knot on Thanksgiving Day, so she needed a gown, but not one so pricey that she’d feel