Absentminded Angel(Divine Creek Ranch 20)(48)

Veronica didn’t question what she meant. Presley Ann could see the understanding in her eyes. She just nodded and said, “Yeah, people can really surprise us if we give them a chance.”

Presley Ann looked down at the armful of clothing that needed folding before it got wrinkled. “Sometimes they surprise themselves when given that chance. I finished Bound at the Bonfire the other night,” she whispered as she began removing security tags and folding each item.

“You?” Veronica said with wide eyes and a bright smile. “I thought you didn’t enjoy reading.”

Presley Ann nodded. “I never have before, but something about your stories really keeps my attention.”

“All the hot sex is different from what you were made to read in high school literature, right?”

Presley Ann snorted and glanced over at Willie who was watching them from the lingerie department, a sour look on her face, as usual. Willie was an unhappy person. Unhappy to be working there, and generally unhappy unless she was stirring drama up. As if on cue, she began making her way through the store in their direction.

Heaving a heavy sigh, Presley Ann kept working as Veronica said, “Have you read any of Grace or Rachel’s books?”

“I’m on kind of a tight budget right now, but I plan to buy one of Grace’s this weekend. She suggested The Rancher’s Lady and Rachel’s latest release as well.”

“Oh. No worries, cuz,” Willie said in a confidential tone. “I’m part of a group on Facebook that can get you all the free book downloads you want. I haven’t actually paid for a book in ages. I’ll have you added to the group. Just make a list of all the books you want.”

“Pardon?” Veronica asked in a quiet tone.

Willie was oblivious to the ice in Veronica’s eyes as she reached for a facial tissue and loudly blew her nose. “Oh, yeah. No need to go through a retailer. I mean, it’s not like it’s tangible property or anything. Everyone does it.”

“That sounds very interesting,” Veronica replied. “What’s the name of the group?” Presley Ann wasn’t sure what Willie was yammering on about but it looked like Veronica did—and it wasn’t a good thing. Obliviously, Willie spouted on for a few minutes, talking about how she’d shared hundreds of books for free with many of the people in the group, and how they’d suggested authors she now loved and was also friends with online. Veronica’s eyebrow cocked at that declaration. Presley Ann had to wonder if the authors Willie was friends with would appreciate Willie’s idea of affection.

“I think I’d like to join that group,” she said as she took out her smartphone and noted the website and group name, and smiled at Willie’s gracious offer to add her to the group on Facebook, telling her she’d consider it.

Ready to ring up the sale, Presley Ann moved to the register…and went blank.

“You okay?” Veronica asked as she removed her wallet.

Presley Ann nodded and put her finger to her lip, struggling to remember the password sequence to unlock the register and the steps to begin the transaction.

“You are kidding me,” Willie said, and then burst into laughter.

Presley Ann cheeks burned as several customers looked their way. “Sorry. I’ve been gone from the store for six weeks. I just need a refresher on the register.”

Willie waved dismissive hands at her and said, “I’ll do it. Just bag it up for me.”

Evidently sensing her embarrassment, Veronica touched her forearm and said, “So how is motherhood treating you? I heard Whit is a gorgeous baby.”

Willie snorted before Presley Ann could get a word out. “That little love child evidently sucked out all your brains, or what little you had, when he was born. Is that what they call mommy brain?”

Presley Ann blinked, unsure what to say to such crassness and decided to ignore her. “He’s wonderful. He’s put on more weight and he eats really well. No problems there.”

Thinking of Whit inspired a slight tingle of her letdown reflex, reminding her that she wouldn’t be getting off until noon. Leah had wanted to put her on the schedule only part time her first week back to ease her adjustment to Whit being in daycare, and although it meant fewer sales, Presley Ann was grateful. She missed him.

Cutting Veronica off as she opened her mouth to reply, Willie said, “I do not see how you can stand that mess. I never would’ve pegged you for the motherly, breastfeeding type. I don’t think I could stand it.”

“I can imagine,” Veronica said as her gaze sharpened on Willie. She winked at Presley Ann and then quizzed Willie while she rang up all the items about her beliefs and thoughts on motherhood and life in general, and Presley Ann thought she was taking notes on her phone. Biting her lip, she realized Veronica was interviewing her cousin. “And you, Presley Ann, what was it like when you laid eyes on Whit the first time?”