Divine Phoenix(Divine Creek Ranch 10)(49)

Lily smiled at the display of manly affection between them. Clay looked jubilant, though he controlled it well. Tabitha sniffed and pulled a tissue from her sleeve.

Grace nudged Lily. “I’m going to take off so you can enjoy the reunion  . I’ll get you the particulars for the sleepover later.” Lily nodded and gladly received Grace’s hug before she left.

Del turned to Lily, while still holding on to Clay’s shoulder, and slid his hand around her waist. “Damn, it is so good to see you both.”

Clay asked, “You weather that storm okay last night?”

Del chuckled. “Yeah, for the most part. No electricity, but that’s not something I’m dependent on anymore. I’ve got a roof leak that needs fixing and a ranch falling down around my ears but it’s damned good to be back.”

“Clay told me that I get to have a long lunch with you,” Lily said, squeezing his solid forearm through his heavy all-weather jacket, which looked tough enough to weather any conditions Afghanistan could dish out.

Her words drew an abrupt, dirty look from Tabitha, but Lily chose to ignore it. Clay told her she could have the time with Del, and she planned to take it.

“That’s right. You’re all mine all afternoon. I’d like to get caught up with Clay for a few minutes first, if that’s okay.”

Lily couldn’t help the big smile on her face. “Sure.”

Del followed Clay to the workroom, casting one last, pleased glance back at her.

“So that’s Del,” Tabitha said as she busied herself organizing sales tickets.

Lily tried to tamp down her enthusiasm because she detected the miffed tone in Tabitha’s voice. She must’ve felt slighted by their instant threesome. It was no surprise to Lily that they would reform that bond as soon as they were together again.

“Yes. I’m glad he’s home safe.”

“Thank you for handling that Warner woman for me,” Tabitha’s words were clear and distinct. “I can’t stand the way she prances in here like she owns the place.”

Lily hid her bewildered expression behind the showcase as she squatted down and lined up the other online orders waiting for local pickup.

I wonder what Tabitha’s issues with Grace are really about.

Grace was always friendly and never demanded special attention or favors.

“What do you mean? What’d she do?” Maybe she’d get some straight answers for a change instead of more sour grapes.

Tabitha screwed up her lips and joggled her head back and forth indignantly. “She acts like the world owes her love and flowers and kisses. She’s always so sweet. When what she is, is a gold-digging whore.”

Whoa!

Lily hoped that Clay couldn’t hear any of what Tabitha was saying. It was obvious she’d been building up to this conversation for a while.

“Everyone thinks she’s so sweet, like she craps rainbows while riding a unicorn, when the truth is, she’s a master manipulator. I’ll never forget the day she swooped in and claimed not one, not two…” She held up three fingers melodramatically. “But three eligible Divine bachelors. She had one man proposing to her while another was buying her extremely expensive solid gold jewelry. Why, I told my friend Elizabeth Owen it was the most disgusting display of—of…whoredom I’d ever seen! And where does Elizabeth wind up when she tries to reveal to the world the disgusting immorality of what those perverts do? In jail!”

Behind the showcase, out of sight, Lily put her face in her hands. She heard a vehicle door being closed outside.

Whoredom? Really? Calgon, take me away.

“Then Grace tops it all off by getting that precious Ethan Grant shot, trying to protect her big, overweight—”

“Tabitha! Stop!” Lily finally blurted out as a customer pulled on the shop door, jingling the bell. Tabitha’s lips jammed shut on her vitriolic words.

In a saccharine-sweet tone, Tabitha greeted the couple. “Hellooo! How can I help you today?”

You could start by washing your mouth out with soap, woman.

Lily tidied the interior of the case to give Clay and Del time to talk privately, but she couldn’t wait to have lunch with him and get all caught up.

After the couple left without buying anything, Tabitha went about her work, muttering and grumbling to herself until Del and Clay emerged from the back.

“Ready for lunch, Lily Bell?” Over Del’s shoulder, she saw Tabitha scowl and mouth to herself, “Lily Bell,” and had to resist the urge to laugh.

“I sure am. I’ll just get my coat and purse.”





Chapter Twelve




A few moments later, as they walked out the door, Tabitha called, “Lily, don’t forget to sign out on your timesheet!”