Free WILD OATS by User Page B

he chivalrously escorted her to the door, conversing pleasantly about the weather.
    When the door shut behind Amelia, his smile faded and he turned to Cora. "I've told you not to come in here when she's here."
    Cora's eyes narrowed in annoyance. "I am not a criminal, Mr. Penny," she said with calm deliberation. "I can come and go in this town as I please. I do try to avoid Amelia Sparrow. However, it is not because I should avoid her, but because I want to."
    Titus Penny, a man who was easily intimidated by the ruffled feathers of his female patrons, quickly backed down. "Yes, yes," he cajoled. "And I want you to avoid her, too. That woman can be pure poison when she sets her mind to it."
    "You don't have to tell me that, sir." Cora was still reeling slightly from the notion of renaming the town after Maimie Briggs. As far as Cora was concerned, Amelia might be the town venom, but it was Maimie Briggs who was the head of the snake.
    Titus Penny nodded at her solemnly. "I suspect you would know." With a guilty glance to the front door, he gestured for her to follow. "Let's step into the back, shall we?" he suggested. "I wouldn't want any other customers interrupting our business."
    With a nod of agreement, Cora followed him to the small storage area crammed with goods. A small work desk sat in one corner next to a poor quality yellow glass window that did little more than allow a bit of light to spill into the room. Piled high upon his homemade, shaved plank work desk were account books, invoices, and bills of sale. More papers filled the chair beside it, Titus swept them untidily onto the floor and seated himself. Self-consciously he straightened his moustache and cleared his throat before leaning back slightly in the chair and smiling speculatively at Cora.
    "Well, what have you got for me today, Cora honey?"
    Ignoring the endearment, Cora stared right back at him. “I have the last of my watermelon pickles," she said calmly. "I will be needing a few things today, but I believe I can wait to purchase my winter stores until after the pecans are in." Her tone was calm, unconcerned, and businesslike. "I had a look at my best tree this morning, Mr. Penny, and it is plainly loaded with pecans."
    Titus nodded assessingly. "Pecans is good, Cora, no doubt about it. But I can get bushels of them from the farmers around here for a pittance."
    Cora's too-warm smile was clearly feigned. "But would the farmers bring them to you shelled, in perfect halves, and impeccably clean?" she asked, already knowing the answer. "They sold very well last year, sir, if you will recall."
    Titus shrugged. "Every year is different, Cora honey," he said. "Sure, you know I'll buy them, but I cain't promise that it'll be enough to keep you in flour and meal for the winter."
    She swallowed nervously but continued to smile. "Well, I just know that you will do the best you can for me, Mr. Penny."
    Titus put a finger to his temple and gazed at her thoughtfully for a moment.
    Cora was used to bargaining with him; she knew that he wouldn't give her a penny if he could get by with five mils. But she had confidence in her product. The ladies in town had scooped up her pecans last year. Native pecans were by far the best tasting, but the toughest to shell and prepare.
    Finally as if reaching a decision, Penny smiled charmingly at Cora and leaned toward her. "Every year is different, Cora honey, just like I said. I don't know how much I'll be able to do for you with pecans this year."
    He reached out with studied casualness and grasped the material at the edge of Cora's bicycling costume. Rubbing the cloth with his fingers, as if assessing its quality, he looked up at her, his eyes darker. "It's been a rough year for farmers, Cora honey. It's been a rough year for me."
    "I'm sorry to hear that," Cora replied quietly as she surreptitiously moved backward, hoping that he would release her skirt. He did not.
    "Don't get me wrong," he said, his eyes still locked with