She blushed and quietly said, “No. Thank you for my coffee, Patterson, but my employees might see. And besides…” Leah said, a sadness overtaking her tone, “You know how it is.”
“Woman, you make me a little crazy, you know that? I’m gonna get under your skin eventually. How about a snuggle?”
Leah giggled as they passed. “Right. A snuggle sounds like it leads to more than just a snuggle.”
“Of course,” he said in a soft raspy voice and then Charity heard a giggle from Leah as they continued on down the aisle.
Charity realized she was leaning forward to hear every word and when she sat back she saw the surprised look on Grace’s face as she said, “I didn’t know Leah and Patterson were an item.”
Charity snorted and said, “I’m not sure Leah knows, either.”
“You know…” Grace said, “I thought there was a tender little spark of something between the Elder brothers and Leah back a couple of years ago when that crazy dude came in and shot the store up and held her at gunpoint. Remember? Back when Elizabeth Owen and Leroy Paggs got busted.”
“When Summer saved PJ and Rosemary Garner took out the shooter all on her own?”
“And got a spanking, I’m pretty sure,” Grace added with a giggle.
“Yes, I remember.”
“Sometimes people just need time and a little nudge.”
Presley Ann came out a moment later and said, “She’s changing right now. Grace, is there anything I can get you or Charity? Water, maybe?”
Charity shook her head and Grace giggled and said, “No, then I’ll just have to run to the ladies’ room five minutes later.”
Nodding at Grace’s obviously pregnant tummy, Presley Ann said, “How are you feeling these days.”
Grace stroked her bulging abdomen and chuckled. “Slow.”
Presley Ann glanced at Charity and then said, “I imagine I’ll find out what that’s like soon enough.”
Surprise registered in Grace’s eyes, but she quickly recovered and said, “How soon?”
“November,” Presley Ann replied with a pat to her abdomen as she went about tidying up the dresses on the racks. “It was quite a surprise. Lots of changes coming for me soon, I guess.”
Grace met Charity’s gaze and then turned back to Presley Ann and said, “I know we don’t know each other as well as we should, Presley Ann, but if there is anything I can do to help, even if it’s just a cup of decaf coffee and a shoulder to cry on, I’m here.”
“You know that goes for me, too, Presley Ann, right?” Charity added.
Presley Ann turned to them with a broad smile and misty eyes and sniffled before she said, “I think I’d like that. I’m not sure why I blurted all that out, I guess I just felt like I could trust you both not to judge. I’m going to check on Justine. Be right back.” As she walked away, Charity noticed her footwear. She was wearing simple little low-heeled flats.
As soon as she was out of sight, Grace leaned over and whispered, “She works on commission.”
“Gotcha.”
Justine tried on each dress, saving the best one—the mermaid style—for last. Charity and Grace both gasped when she came out, looking like a vision as the gold chiffon swept the floor in soft waves, with her bared toes peeking out from beneath with each step. She smiled at her reflection when she faced the mirror, turning and looking at herself from all angles.
Charity saw it the moment real womanly confidence entered Justine’s eyes. Batting the tears back with rapid blinks, she finally found her voice. “You have to get that, honey. It’s perfect.”
Presley Ann nodded in affirmation when Justine looked at her for her opinion and said, “If you’ll give me your date’s name, I’ll record your color preferences for when he comes in to select his tuxedo and be fitted for it, but I’d like to make a suggestion.”
Justine didn’t even hesitate. “Shoot.”
Presley Ann handed her a tuxedo brochure and pointed at one of the pictures. “Suggest that he go with the classic black tuxedo, black vest, and a regular tie, also in black, with a white dress shirt. The two of you will be stunning, and will set yourselves apart from everyone else.”
Justine looked at her mother for her opinion. Charity nodded and said, “If you can do that for her, I think they would look perfect on prom night. Thank you, Presley Ann. You’re really good at this stuff.”
Presley Ann blushed. “It’s my pleasure. I’ll make a note and when he comes in, I’ll let him know your preferences. From there it’s up to him.”