Writing western romance isn’t about just the romance. I love building a strong sense of community into my books, be they historical or contemporary. I’ve created entire towns that now have third and fourth generation characters living in them. Each town has its own traditions, and you’d think putting on a play would be harmless enough. Not in my fictional town of Clear Creek!
In my latest release, Wilbert, (which has not one, but two romances in it) the whole town is buzzing over a performance of Romeo and Juliet. But the preachers in town have plans to turn it into a little something else by having characters from a ridiculous pirate play performed the year before, play the parts in Romeo and Juliet. It’s a big secret, and folks are dying to figure out what it is! Rehearsals bring out the worst in Clear Creek’s busybodies. Seems everyone wants to peek through windows, eavesdrop through the walls, or sneak inside the church to see what’s going on.
Well, Preacher Wiley and Preacher Jo had enough of it. They tacked notices right to the church walls — threats and all! But do the townspeople believe their beloved preachers will go through with their threats? Here’s an excerpt:
Sally Upton shuffled closer, a grin on her face. “Do you hear anything, Fanny?”
Fanny waved her away. “Hush a moment.”
The entire group went quiet. Muffled voices drifted through the wood, and everyone drew closer to the wall. Very faintly they heard: “Oh Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? And if you don’t answer, I’ll pinch you…”
Sally’s eyes widened. “Did Juliet just threaten to pinch Romeo?”
Sadie snorted. “That was Irene. Oh my goodness, this is going to be funny.”
Just then, a loud smack echoed through the boards. Belle gasped and grabbed Sadie’s arm. “Mercy! What was that?”
“It sounds like someone’s being beaten in there,” Sadie whispered.
Martin Kincaid, who had driven the Cooke women to town, stood just behind them. He shook his head gravely. “Sounds more like a tavern brawl than a play.”
Ada Brody folded her arms. “All of you should be ashamed, lurking about the church like this as if you were children.”
Fanny straightened long enough to wave a hand at the nearest window, then looked a little closer. “What’s this?” She stood on tiptoe but couldn’t reach it.
Martin stepped forward and easily plucked the paper off the wall. He read it quickly, then burst out laughing.
“Well, what is it?” Fanny asked.
Martin laughed again before reading aloud:
“Notice to all busybodies, by order of Preacher Wiley Snow. Any person caught snooping, peeking, listening, or otherwise meddling during rehearsal shall spend one full afternoon in the pokey. No exceptions. Signed, Preacher Wiley.”
He chuckled again and started looking for the tack that had held the notice to the wall.
“Goodness gracious,” Sadie said. “They’re really taking this secrecy thing seriously.”
Yes, you read that right,” Fanny said. “Arrested for snooping at play practice!”
***
Of course, Clear Creek being Clear Creek, some folks ignored the warnings. Let’s just say the jailhouse got a little extra traffic. And sometimes, jail time came with perks. Here’s another little excerpt:
Vi had just taken an order and was filling it when Sheriff Tom entered the kitchen. He wore his regular clothes and hat, but still had whiskers painted on his face and black smudged at the end of his nose.
Rosie took one look at him and burst out laughing. “What’s on your face, Sheriff?”
Tom squeaked in alarm and hurried to the sink. He scrubbed his face clean, then snatched a dish towel to dry off. “I was… I was just…”
“He’s a court jester,” Vi blurted. “In the play. He has to play several parts, including a few animals.”
Sheriff Tom gave her a thankful look and quickly nodded. “Yes, exactly. And sometimes I can’t remember what I am. It gets confusing.”
Rosie gave him a slow nod. “That, I can understand. Now is there something I can do for you?”
“Yes.” He straightened. “We got one.”
Vi and Rosie exchanged a look. “You got what?” Vi asked.
“A snooper.”
Rosie laughed. “Oh, my goodness, you’re kidding me!”
“I am not. I’m here to order dinner for one bona fide snooper. They got locked up after being caught peeking through the windows during rehearsal.”
Vi laughed. “Oh, my word. Who is it?”
“That doesn’t matter,” Sheriff Tom said with a drawl. “They were snooping, and they’ll be the example of why the rest of the town shouldn’t nose around our rehearsals.”
The women laughed again as Ottie came into the kitchen. “What’s so funny?”
Rosie waved a spoon. “Sheriff here caught his first snooper.”
Ottie gasped. “Oh goodness gracious! Who is it?”
“Never mind,” Sheriff Tom said. “Vi, would you mind bringing my prisoner his dinner?”
“I bet it was one of the Comfort brothers,” Vi teased, smiling at Ottie. “Probably Peaceful, or Mathew, as he likes to be called.”
Sheriff Tom chuckled, thanked them, and left.
“Well, this will be all over town by the time dinner is done,” Vi said. “What do you think the snooper would like?”
Rosie looked at the stove. “It’s chicken and dumpling night. We’ll feed him that. I’ll dish it up, and you can take it over.”
“Should we give him iced tea or lemonade?” Vi asked.
Rosie scowled. “Certainly not. He broke the law. He doesn’t deserve such frivolities. He can have water in a tin cup.”
Vi laughed and shook her head, then snapped Ottie with a dish towel.
“Ouch!” Ottie yelped and gave Rosie a new order for dinner.
As soon as Rosie fixed the plate, she handed it off to Vi, who carried it across and down the street to the jail.
Sheriff Tom sat behind his desk with a wide smile. “Right through that door, Vi.” He chuckled and reached for a book.
Vi stepped into the cell area and stopped short. Cal Bennett sat behind the bars, looking glum and holding a hymnal. “Oh goodness, they really did go through with their threat!”
He lifted the book. “Yes. And left an old hymnal, not even the current edition.” He sighed, then eyed the plate in her hands. “Is that my dinner?”
She laughed and nodded. “Well, the sign did say you’d spend suppertime in jail. So here you are, and here’s your meal.”
***
Life in Clear Creek is never dull, and in Wilbert the antics only get wilder. Between play rehearsals, cattle rustlers, and a crab costume (don’t ask), there’s plenty of laughter, romance, and small-town mayhem.
So tell me — would you have risked a peek at rehearsals, or played it safe and waited for opening night? Me, I’d have definitely peeked! And probably landed in jail. But I’d have gotten dinner out of the deal, just like Wilbert’s friend Cal did. I’m giving away one free ebook copy of Wilbert to one lucky commenter!
USA Today bestselling author Kit Morgan is the author of over 180 books of historical and contemporary western romance! Her stories are fun, sweet stories full of love, laughter, and just a little bit of mayhem! Kit creates her stories in her little log cabin in the woods in the Pacific Northwest. An avid reader and knitter, when not writing, she can be found with either a book or a pair of knitting needles in her hands! Oh, and the occasional smidge of chocolate!
I guess if I was hungry, it would be worth the risk.
Dinner was an added surprise. If enough folks figured they would get dinner, they’d have all been peeking!
Sounds like a total hoot and yes, I would snoop! So what if I got caught – sounds like it would be worth it!!
I totally agree, Ginni!
peek
Yep, me too!
Snoop. You do get a free meal! This book sounds so good.
No one knew about the free meal at the time. But regardless, I’d have definitely peeked along with you, Ann!
I probably would have peeked and taken a chance. What would it hurt? At least, I would have gotten a free meal.
Very true, Bonnie!
Oh, my! I want to peek right now!
lol! My town of Clear Creek is always an interesting place to be. That’s for sure.
Yes, I think i would have scooped. The temptation would have been too much. I so enjoy all these books about Clear Creek.
Scooped, not scooped
Stupid auto correct
I’m glad you enjoy my little stories about Clear Creek, Elaine. I sure have fun writing them!
I think I might’ve peeked as well! Somethings are worth getting into a little trouble for, lol
I probably would not peek. It’s would more fun to be surprised when you watch it than watch it knowing what will happen.9
You’re the only one so far, Karijean that said they wouldn’t peek!
I would be one of the snoopers. ? This sounds so fun!
I definitely had a a lot of fun writing it, Barbara!
I definitely wouldn’t have snooped! When I was in elementary school, we did a tour of the local police station, and they showed us the jail. We are a small town and they only had two cells, with lumpy mattresses, but the worst part was the toilets were stainless steel. I imagined how cold they would get in winter, and vowed to always follow the law to the letter!
Oh my, Kim! That would curb the snooping urge!
I know I would snoop.
So many of us would, Debra! Curiosity you know!
Peeked
We’ll be cell mates, Sarah and get a free dinner!
I would have peeked
I think Sheriff Tom would have had to lock all of us up!
To me, peeking at a forthcoming play would be the same as reading a chapter of an upcoming book. I don’t mind knowing the gist of something, but not a whole lot as I probably wouldn’t get a chance to read or watch the whole thing. It would be a spoiler to me.
That’s a good way of looking at it, Judy!
Oh my goodness. This hook sounds so fun. I’d have tried sitting somewhere with a book and listened but not peeked through the window. Maybe I’d still end up in jail with supper. lol
I think most of us would land in the pokey, Carrie!
Good morning Kit! Oh I would have snooped! No doubt about it! When I was old enough, I always looked for the Christmas gifts that Santa would bring! Then acted all excited about it on Christmas Day! LOL
I love Clear Creek! Looking forward to this one Kit!
Many blessings!
LOL! At least you didn’t unwrap your presents then re-wrap them! I’ve heard of some kids doing that.
Clearly your imagination was soaring with this one, and has sent mine into overtime with the new permutations for Romeo and Juliet! Can’t wait!
Yes, the previous pirate play also had monsters in it. One of them got the part of Juliet!
I don’t think I would have peeked.
You’re one of the rare ones, Bridgette. I think the rest of us would be locked up in jail!
Oh my goodness, this sounds like such a fun book to read. Thanks for sharing and for the give a way. Oh I would so be one of the ones who had to peek ahead of time.
After reading all the comments here, most of us would be crammed into a jail cell, Lori!
ugh I could wait on the play!
Not me, I’d be peeking as much as I could to see what was happening.
Hi Kit, your book sounds like a great read! I would definitely take my chance and take a peek ! (not entering this ebook giveaway as I am not tech savvy, but Thank you)
More of us would have peeked than not, Alicia. But a few folks said they’d refrain from peeking!
I am usually a rule follower, but am also usually involved in community activities. If I were left out , chances are I just might try to sneak a peak to see what was going on.
Most of us would, Patricia!
well, we already kind of snooped around with the little snippet here and yes too much curiosity will make us read the book from cover to cover. Can’t wait.
The book sounds very interesting.