Pat Ritter. Books

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 95:

'What are you going to do Hannah? Where are you going to live?' Nat asked.
'Alex kindly provided me a room at his hotel for as long as I want. Back to school Monday morning.'
'They wouldn't mind if you have time off. I'm certain Mr Shirley would understand allowed the circumstances of what happened.' Nat added.
'No thanks Pa. I want to get back on the horse as soon as possible. Ma have you decided what you're going to do with your block of land?' Hannah asked Ma, thinking it a little presumptuous to ask considering the recent fire.
'Hannah dear, if you want the block. It's yours. A gift from me to you.' Ma smiled.
'I can't accept your kind offer. I'll buy the block from you,' she replied.
'No, a gift. I insist. Since we've lived together over the years not only you are my niece, you are my best friend and companion. What are you going to do with the land? There is a stable at the back of the block for your horse.' Ma inquired.
'I want to build a cottage, a small cottage. A reminder of what you had.' She rose from her seat and put her arms around Ma's shoulders, 'thank you Ma.'. Tears came to both their eyes.
'It's no worries my dear sweet Hannah, I love you like a daughter I never had,' both held one another and sobbed with joy.

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 96:

'What are you going to do Joe?' Nat asked.
'He wants a job, Pa. I told him you'd hire him.' Hannah interrupted.
'Wait a moment Hannah, you never told me about building a cottage. Yes, Nat, I would love a job here or on any of your properties. Before I do I want to help Hannah build her cottage. If that would be alright with you.' Joe explained.
'Joe, you've got a job here anytime you want. Help Hannah build her cottage and we'll find something for you to do after the cottage is built.' Nat answered finished his tea, took his pipe from the top pocket of his shirt, stuffed it with tobacco and struck a match on his trousers to light his pipe. He took a deep draw and sat back in his chair, a satisfied look on his face.
'He could fix the sign at the front gate,' Hannah suggested.
'Don't worry about the sign, it's been like that since I care to remember. Don't need fixen Hannah, everyone knows where we live. You build your cottage and we'll take good care of Ma. Welcome home Ma, this is now your home and you treat it as your own.' Nat said inhaling smoke from his pipe.
'I suppose Hannah if we want to get back before dark, we'd better be moving along. Been great to meet you Martha and Nat,' Joe stood and shook Nat's hand.

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 97:

'You look after my daughter Joe, and thanks for helping her build her cottage. We'll come to town as soon as its finished,' Nat let go of Joe's hand and slapped him on his shoulder.
They said their farewells with hugs and good-byes, Joe helped Hannah up onto the seat of the sulky, sat beside her and took the reins. After clicking Joker they were off waving good-bye almost until they reached the sign at the front gate. I'll leave fixen of the sign to Nat, he owns the place and I wouldn't interfere with anything. A smile spread across his face. If this was heaven he thought, he was enjoying each moment being seated next to Hannah.
'Joe, do you mind if I leaned against your shoulder. I'm tied, with all that has happened, I want to sleep.' Hannah moved closer to Joe who placed his arm around her shoulders, she snuggled in close and soon fell asleep.
Been less than a day, but I think I'm in love, Joe thought peering down to this beautiful woman lying asleep in his arms. Life couldn't be better.
Stopping the sulky at the rear door of the hotel Joe didn't want to wake Hannah and would've rather carry her inside to her bed rather than disturb her sleep. She woke and stretched her arms almost knocking Joe from his seat. 'Sorry, Joe. I'm so sorry. Are you alright?' She leaned across and kissed him on the cheek.
Joe sat upright. Startled with warmth of Hannah's kiss still felt warm on his cheek. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect her to kiss him. He'd never had anything to do with the opposite sex in his life and wasn't certain what to do next. 'I'll help you down,' he stuttered.

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 98:

Climbing down he helped Hannah to the ground. 'I'll return the sulky and put Joker back in his stable,' his voice nervous and trembly.
'I'll go and make us dinner, it should be ready by the time you return. ' Hannah replied and walked toward the back entrance of the hotel. Joe got back into the sulky, 'what'd think of that Joker. I think she likes me.' Joe could've jumped over the moon he was so delighted with his thoughts and Hannah's kiss on his cheek.
After stabling Joker and giving him food, Joe returned to the rear of the hotel. When he walked into the hotel, Hannah was crying and in the arms of Alex. His eyes almost bulged from his head, 'is everything alright.' He voice quivered.
Hannah left Alex and ran to Joe and threw her arms around his neck, 'Mr Cummings died,' she sobbed. Joe held her tight and allowed her to cry.

Chapter 11

'I'll leave you two alone,' Alex said and returned to the bar to serve his customers. Joe held onto Hannah allowing her to grieve the passing of a friend.

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 99:
'He worked for Pa,' she sobbed, the words hiccuped from her mouth, 'he was a good man. A gentleman to both Ma and me. His reason for stopping work in the shearing shed to settle down at Ma's Guest House and live out his life in peace and comfort.' Joe handed Hannah his handkerchief. She wiped her eyes and released her arms around his neck. 'I'd better make us dinner. Can't have you starving.'
Hannah quickly gathered meat and vegetables and soon had enough food cooked for three. Joe sat at the table thinking how he could help Hannah overcome her friend's death. Just being there was enough.
'What work did he do for your father?' Joe asked to break the tension.
'Wool presser. A hard and tough job. At the end as he grew older he couldn't keep up with the work and decided to retire. What is it with you lot never talking about your work.' Hannah raised her voice. 'I want you to tell me everything, understand. Never keep me in the dark, Joe!' Hannah expressed sternly, she placed a plate of cooked food in front of him. 'I'll tell Alex his dinner is ready.'
'No, I'll go and tell him.' Joe quickly rose from his seat and rushed into the bar to tell Alex his dinner was ready. He returned, 'he wants to eat his dinner at the bar if it was alright.' She agreed. Joe took Alex's dinner to him and returned to Hannah.
They ate in silence.

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 100:

'If you want to talk about Mr Cummings. I'm willing to listen,' Joe said in between his mouth filled with food. 'This is delicious. I didn't know you could cook. '
'I've been cooking far back as I care to remember. It's only chops and vegetables, nothing flash.'
'It's great! You are a good cook and a pretty one at that.' Joe said sincerely.
'Do you think I'm pretty,' Hannah smiled and looked at Joe.
'Too right I do – you're the prettiest girl in Cunnamulla without a doubt.' Joe placed his knife and fork beside his plate. 'I'll wash up. You sit while I make you a cuppa.' Joe rose and quickly made Hannah and himself a cup-of-tea. After he washed and dried the dishes he sat next to Hannah. 'You must be tied after everything has happened.' He said.
'Yes,' she yawned, 'I'm tied. Would you mind if I went to bed?' Hannah eyes drooped.
'Goodnight Hannah, sweet dreams. I'll see you at breakfast.' Hannah left to go to her room.
Joe joined Alex at the public bar, 'how was your dinner?' He asked taking the empty plate and utensils. In an afterthought he said, 'Alex how can I get a message to Hannah's parents to tell them about Mr Cummings?' He asked.
'All done! The bush telegraph. They'll know by daylight tomorrow.' Alex continued to attend to his bar duties.

[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 101:

Once Joe cleaned the kitchen after washing and drying Alex's plate, he retired to bed. Thoughts of Hannah, holding her, smelling her sweet fragrance kept him from sleep. His mind focused on helping her build her cottage. First to clear the block of land. With these thoughts raging through his mind he finally fell asleep.
Hannah slept in and awoke when the morning light entered her bedroom. Opening her eyes she realised her new surroundings. Blinking her eyes cleared her mind of sleep, she pushed back the bed covers and got out of bed. After making her bed, she washed in a basin of water beside her bed, quickly dressed and entered the kitchen.
'Good morning Alex,' the smell of bacon pieced her nostrils.
'Better this morning.' Alex replied and continued with his task, 'breakfast will be ready soon, take a seat. Kettle's hot if you want a cuppa.' He continued on with the cooking.
'Has Joe had his breakfast?' Hannah asked pouring tea into a cup.
'He had his breakfast long ago and went to clean up Ma's block. He mentioned something about you building a cottage and wanted to get cracking,' he placed a plate filled with food in front of Hannah, 'the toast is on the table, help yourself.'