Divine Charity(Divine Creek Ranch 18)(75)

Squeezing Presley Ann’s hand so she’d look up, Grace said, “Sweetie, I know your dad. He won’t hate you. He’s a fair-minded man and while it’s obvious he loves his community, I know he loves his family even more.”

“He’ll be embarrassed.”

“It sounds like you’re taking responsibility for your actions and trying to start over, putting your baby first. Do you really think that would embarrass him?”

Presley Ann was quiet for a minute and then said, “I think the way I’ve lived my life, the way I’ve acted in the community and toward him in person was probably a bigger source of embarrassment.” Her short laugh had a bitter edge. “I was going to find a man to marry and take care of me. Basically a sugar daddy. Now I have a baby coming who’s going to depend on me for everything.”

Instinct told Grace to not let her drop anchor on that thought. “And look what you’re doing. You’re hustling to make sales like a good sales clerk at Stigall’s. You’re saving money. You’re sitting here with me talking, and being solution-oriented. That says a lot. You’ve got around eight months to get yourself situated, either at home or in your own place.”

“I can’t move back in with my dad. I’m a grown woman…and that seems like throwing in the towel and letting someone else take care of me. I got myself into this mess and I have to get myself out of it.”

A thought occurred to Grace. “You’re related to Marvin Kramer, the man who owns the computer service place on Main Street, right?”

“He’s my uncle…sort of.”

“He posted a sign in the shop that he has a little place for rent.”

“How little?”

“It’s a little apartment above the computer shop. It’s quiet, at least at night, and it’s in a safe area. You should talk to him. I’ll bet it would be perfect for you and the baby. If it’s reasonable, you could even afford to save some money as well.”

Presley Ann nodded and then looked up at Grace with a smile. “I’ll talk to him. Thank you for telling me.”

“It’s a good thing Doug decided to start paying his sales people commissions again. You can make a decent living if you have the skills.”

Presley Ann chuckled. “And the perfect motivation. I didn’t care before, but now I’m glad Leah talked dad into reinstituting commissioned sales.”

“And worst-case scenario, Presley Ann, your dad won’t let you go without. You know that.”

“I do but I don’t want to ask for it. I got myself into this mess, I should get myself out.”

“And you have me, and Charity and Justine. We’re friends now, after all.”

Presley Ann sat up a little straighter in the chair and this time her smile reached her eyes. “We are. Do you know I’ve never had any female friends? I have my sister but I don’t think she would tell you we’re friends and I know that’s my fault. If I could ever nail her down, I’ll tell her everything. She left the store in a big rush last night and I didn’t find out until later…”

“She’s been here at the hospital, too, I’ll bet.”

Presley Ann nodded. “I didn’t even know she was that sweet on Patterson Elder. She never said a word. She was right to not trust me. I probably would’ve flirted with him just to piss her off.”

Grace frowned. “Would you have really done that?”

She swiped fresh tears from her blotchy cheeks and said, “I wish I could tell you no, but before the baby, that’s probably exactly what I would’ve done. She’s going to be so upset.”

“I imagine she will,” Grace said honestly. “And she already has so much to deal with emotionally right now.” Grace’s heart lurched painfully, thinking of being forced to part with one of her men.

“She let me move in with her to help on the rent but I know it’s not because she needed the help. I imagine she’ll welcome having her space and privacy back.”

“Give her some time and just show her the steps you’ve taken to provide for yourself. You might also be able to pick up some extra hours if she’s so inclined.”

Presley Ann nodded. “I want to ask you about something.”

“Sure.”

“Like I said before, I know I’ve offended several of your friends. Lydia Carlisle in particular.” She grimaced and shook her head. “I misrepresented myself to her, and insulted her and her husbands. I know she hates me and I don’t blame her. If by chance you talk to her sometime could you maybe mention that I talked to you and I said I was sorry, and I wished I could make it…”