Pat Ritter. Books

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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 92:

Once settled on the veranda Martha said, 'I'll put the kettle on. Hannah would you help me please?' Hannah rose and walked with her mother to the kitchen. 'What's going on with you and that fellar you bought with you?' She asked once they were away out of earshot of the others.
'What'd you mean?' Hannah asked not knowing what her mother meant.
'When he helped you down from the sulky. You couldn't keep your eyes off one another.' Martha smiled.
'Mother, he's a lovely person, and to do what he's done to take the place of another human being, go to prison for something he didn't do and return, yes, I have feelings for him and admiration. Also the utmost respect of what he did. It's only this morning when I officially met him again after four years, but honestly mother, his voice. I've never been able to get his voice from my head since I spoke with him at the police station outside the cell door. I'm comfortable in his presence.' Hannah smiled.
'Be careful. Understand what happened to the other Joe.' Her mother advised.
'There is no comparison, this Joe is warm and what he's done to help both Ma and me is remarkable. I think I like him mother.' Hannah collected morning tea and returned to the veranda.
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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 93:

'Ma told us about her home burning down.' Nat said surprised. 'Terrible, Alex from the hotel helped to save them and went back into the house to save Mr Cummings.'
'What was that!' Martha asked when she placed the tea-pot on the table. She almost fainted hearing her husband's words.
'He's not well. We went to the hospital before we came here.' Ma said.
Hannah placed the tray containing food on a table next to Joe. 'Here Joe, mother made these earlier this morning. You must be famished.' She handed Joe two scones on a plate. He took the plate and gazed into her eyes and nodded his head.
'Tell me about your home burning down. Hannah, you never mentioned anything.' Martha exploded, shocked to hear of the fire and the destruction of Ma's home and business.
'You never give me a chance to mother, asking questions about Joe. Mr Cummings knocked over the lantern when he got out of bed, bumped his head and suffered burns to almost all of his body. Terrible. We visited him at the hospital before we came here. Ma's home is destroyed.' Hannah told her folks.
'Ma. You're welcome to stay here with Martha and I as long as you want.' Nat said swallowing a piece of scone and sipping his tea.
'Thank you Nat and Martha, I accept your invitation. Honestly, I don't know what I'll do now my home and business is ruined.' Ma expressed in a solemn voice, tears filled her eyes. 'I'm too old to rebuild.'
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[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 94:

'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.
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'Click Go The Shears' - Page 95:

'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.
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[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 96:

'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.
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[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 97:

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.
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[patritter]

'Click Go The Shears' - Page 98:

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.
'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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