Divine Charity(Divine Creek Ranch 18)(55)

Justine giggled and said, “I think he’d welcome your help.”

Presley Ann rubbed her hands together and grinned devilishly. “Now. Let’s talk foundation garments, shoes, and accessories.”

Charity thought she heard her debit card squeal in fear, but she grinned and said, “Yes, let’s.” In a few more years, Justine would be able to shop at Discretion for all her lingerie needs but until then, she’d shop at Stigall’s. Charity was happy to spend the money there considering that Presley Ann would make a commission from everything she sold. She and the baby would need every cent she could earn if she planned to go it on her own as a mom.

Grace and Charity had input on all the selections, but Presley Ann made good suggestions for everything Justine would need and helped her make sure they fit properly as well. Once the prom shopping was done, Grace said, “Presley Ann, I need to get the guys some new shirts, and Rose Marie needs something for Easter, can you help me with that?”

“Of course!” Presley Ann said with a big smile. “I can help you with anything else you might need.”

Charity said, “The guys need new jeans. Good thing I already know their sizes. I’ll need some help with that as well.”

Justine added, “I also brought my Christmas money from Grandma and Grandpa. I’ve been wanting a new leather handbag for a while.”

While Presley Ann helped Justine and Grace look for an Easter dress for Rose Marie, Charity excused herself to visit the ladies’ room. She heard a soft gasp as she rounded the corner to the back hallway that led to the restrooms and stopped short when she glimpsed Patterson speaking softly to Leah, who was backed up against her office door. Patterson’s head bowed and Charity realized she’d caught him stealing a kiss from Leah.

“Now that was worth the wait, fluff. James and Vincent are going to be jealous when I tell them how sweet your kisses are. Forgive me?” he asked, without an ounce of repentance in his raspy voice.

“You’re incorrigible,” Leah replied breathlessly.

“I’ll see you this evenin’ when I bring your supper to you. I’m stealing another one of your kisses then, too.”

Not wanting to be caught gawking, Charity continued on, greeting them both with a big smile and a nod as she passed. “Hello, Leah. Hello, Patterson. Nice weather we’re having, huh?”

Leah’s eyes went wide but she nodded. Patterson tipped his black cowboy hat and then lightly stroked Leah’s chin. “See ya, fluff.”

Leah said, “Wear your helmet, okay?”

“See you this evenin’!” he called as his footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Leah’s office door closed quietly as Charity slipped into the ladies’ room.

Charity grinned to herself, wondering how long it’d be until Leah admitted to the love that was in her eyes, her cheeks, and her voice when she spoke to Patterson. Fluffing her hair as she looked in the mirror, she murmured, “Another one bites the dust.”

When they were finally done shopping, Presley Ann thanked them with tears in her eyes, having figured out what they were all up to. Grace and Charity secured her agreement to have that cup of coffee in the near future and laughingly took the store manager up on his offer to carry out their purchases for them.

They got in Charity’s SUV and Justine sat forward between the two front seats and said, “Great. Now all I have to do is learn how to dance.”

Grace said, “Mom would roll over in her grave if she knew her granddaughter couldn’t dance.”

Charity nodded and gave Justine a knowing smirk. “See? I told you one day you’d need to know how to dance. You said you didn’t want to take lessons.”

“You wanted me to go to dancing class. I just need to know some basic steps. Just enough so I don’t totally embarrass myself or Noah.”

“That’s too bad. We could teach you some dirty dancing moves. Put on a little slow grinding Bruno Mars and you’ll have Noah eating out of the palm of your—”

Justine put her hand out and quickly said, “Mom, don’t say another word or you could scar me for life. Don’t go there.”

Charity burst into laughter and Grace joined her. When she was able to speak, she said, “Honey, a little bump and grind should be no big shocker. You see enough of that around the house when your dad puts on music.”

Justine snorted and said, “Yeah, and no amount of therapy will erase those images either.”

Grace patted Charity’s arm and said, “That’s what she says now but she’ll thank us later. So who do you want to teach you how to dance?”