by Tamara Allen
Jack rested his head on Sutton's shoulder. "I could borrow a couple of nickels from Ox, I guess."
"And if Esther and Ox have gone to the picture show?"
"You're not fixed on the happily ever after here, Mabel."
That laugh, warm as cocoa and sweeter still, in his ear. "I thought you only believed in happily for right now."
"Sure. How do you think happily ever afters get started?"
Sutton eased the cover over the piano keys. "So--crackers and oatmeal?"
Jack didn't want to move a muscle, but he was getting the idea that maybe Sutton was focused, after all. Sutton kissed him and confiscated the shop keys. "We'll save the pie and coffee for breakfast. On me."
"It'll take a while to pay you back that ten cents. That all right?"
Sutton smiled. "I'll put it on your tab."
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Lorraine Brevig, who created the original cover art and generously donated her fee to the American Lung Association; and to Toby Johnson, who enhanced her wonderful work. My thanks to fellow writer Ann Somerville, who reviewed my story, promoted it, and thoughtfully sent it to other reviewers. Many thanks also to Gina Grant, another fellow writer, friend, and promoter. Finally, I am grateful to my editor and publisher, Steve Berman, for all his hard work and investment of time in editing my story and for taking a chance on an unknown author.
About the Author
Tamara Allen resides in the piney woods north of Houston with her cozy family of husband, son, and cat. Her primary occupation is keeping them out of trouble, but on the side she likes to make up stories, for the pleasure of living briefly in an era long gone by.
