Free Levi (Prairie Grooms, Book Five) by Kit Morgan Page B

Dunnigan fingered the cloth. “I like it, too. You made a good choice.” She began to measure out what Apple would need then looked at Fina. “What about you? Are you going to sew a dress, too?”
    Fina shook her head. “Heavens no! I'm cooking for the first time tonight. I'm sure I'll be a wreck after that!”
    Wilfred laughed. “Don't you worry none. You'll get plenty of practice in, and then, over time, be just as good a cook as anyone.”
    “Anyone?” asked Mrs. Dunnigan as she scrunched her face up at him.
    Wilfred cleared his throat. “Er… except you, dear.”
    Fina and Apple tried not to laugh as they both turned back to the fabric table. “You should try to sew a dress,” suggested Apple. “Lena said she was going to try and, since you live so close to each other, you could practice together.”
    “You have a point,” said Fina. “But today I'm not going to worry about fabric or sewing. I have something else in mind to buy.”
    “Like what?”
    Fina felt a tingle of excitement go up her spine. “I'm getting some paint and brushes today.”
    Apple smiled and gave a little clap of her hands. “That's wonderful! What are you going to paint first?”
    “I haven't the foggiest idea, but it will be grand!”
    “I hear Harvey Brown needs his barn painted,” suggested Wilfred.
    Fina giggled. “It's not that kind of painting. I mean to paint something on a canvas.”
    “Ahhh, I see,” he said. “How big a canvas ya got?”
    Fina stilled. Good heavens: she hadn’t thought about obtaining a canvas. “I'm afraid I don't.”
    “Well ya gotta have somethin’ to paint on, don't ya?”
    “You're quite right, sir. I do. Do you carry such a thing?”
    “Nope.”
    Fina closed her eyes and let out a tiny sigh. “Then why did you bring it up?”
    “Because if you had a canvas, I was gonna ask where ya got it.”
    Fina fought against a groan and smiled instead. “I'm afraid I haven't anything of the kind. Since you haven't a canvas, do you have paint or brushes?”
    “We got a few of those, but not much. I can order some from Oregon City, if ya like.”
    “You have some brushes and paint, don't you, sister?” asked Apple.
    “Yes, but it's not enough to last me for long. I'll need more.”
    Wilfred went behind the counter, reached under it, and took out a catalog. “I've seen paint and brushes in here. What might ya be needin’?”
    Fina went to the counter and stared at the catalog. “What does it have in there?”
    Wilfred thumbed through the pages until he found what he was looking for. He turned the catalog around, so she could see it better, and pointed at a small section with art supplies. “Will these do?”
    Fina studied the page. “Oh, my; yes! Could you order them today?”
    “Yep. As soon as Willy gets here with the stage, I’ll send the order out with him.”
    “That would be wonderful,” she told him. “In the meantime, I can just use what I have.”
    “I've got some paint in the back I can sell ya,” offered Wilfred with a smile.
    “What colors?”
    “Red.”
    “That's it? You only have one color?”
    “Take it or leave it; that's all I got.”
    “I'll take it. I can mix it with what I have.”
    “But, Fina,” began Apple, “you don't have any canvas. What are you going to paint on?”
    Fina looked at her sister and smiled. “Whatever I can find.”

 
     
    Eight
     
    Levi knocked on the door of Doc’s patient room and entered. Harrison stood next to Cutty’s bed, while Fina's cousin, Imogene, sat in a chair on the other side, a book in her hand. “Howdy, Harrison,” he said.
    “Why, Levi, what brings you to town? I thought you and your new bride would remain ensconced at your place for several days, at least, considering you just got married.”
    “Trust me, I would love to be ensconced, as you say, but I needed a few things in town. May I speak with you?”
    “Of course. What about?”
    “In addition to your generous wedding present, I'd like to purchase