"Nagle, Patti - Coyote Ugly" - читать интересную книгу автора (Nagle Pati)

Eva looked up from the stick in her hands to Coyote watching warily from the
shadows. Smiling, she reached out to stroke his back.

"You are my only friend," she whispered. Coyote just kept watching.

AT FOUR THE next day Eva sat at her table, nervously listening as she whittled
her stick. It still wasn't a snake. Maybe it would never be one. She held it at
arm's length. It looked like a stick. She put it down and pushed away from the
table.

Eva went to the stove and put on the kettle. It was still hot from the last time
she'd boiled it, but she put it on anyway. She wiped the spotless counter and
looked around the room. It was tidy and comfortless. It needed painting. Eva
sighed and sat down again, picking up her carving.

The long, straight section was the least snake-like. Maybe a slight twist would
bring it to life. She picked up her knife and gently scraped at the carved
scales, finding smoothness beneath, her mind already picturing the arc of scales
up the side of the wood. Yes, much better. She glanced up at Coyote, still
watching from the back of the table. He seemed to approve.

A sharp knock at the door made her start. Eva rose and smoothed her skirt as she
went forward. The door creaked as she pulled it open.

"Hello, Eva," said Mrs. Rougier, stepping inside. "Didn't you hear the bell?"

"It doesn't work," said Eva, closing the door behind Ms. Messersmith.

"Oh, yes," laughed Mrs. Rougier. "I forgot." She was wearing a skirt painted
with Hopi designs in pink and purple, a pink woolen shawl, pink suede boots. She
unwrapped the shawl from her shoulders and dropped it on Eva's chair. Ms.
Messersmith wore black, and a sour look. She stood just inside the door, gazing
around the room.

"Would you like some coffee?"

"That would be lovely, thank you, Eva. Oh, is this your latest piece?"

Eva glanced to where Mrs. Rougier stood by the work table, nodded. She put a
filter and coffee in the top of her old battered pot, poured hot water over. It
spattered in the bottom half, and a warm smell arose.

"You see, Frances? A snake! Isn't it lovely?"

Eva carried cups of hot coffee to the ladies. Mrs. Rougier had the carving in
her hands, turning it around.

"See how she's done the tail? Look at these rattles. Eva, isn't there something
about the rattles?"