“The Abbott brothers, huh?” Lizzy asked with one eyebrow cocked while she tried to hide a smile. “You need them to do something?”
Yeah, mainly me. “I see you smirking,” Violet said with a slight giggle. Even that little expression made her head hurt. “Stop making me laugh. And, for your information, they are paying me a personal visit.”
Lizzy giggle-snorted and said, “’Bout damn time, too. One hot, black, sweet coffee coming up.”
The front doorbell rang a few minutes later, and she welcomed the relief from focusing on the columns of figures on the spreadsheet in front of her.
She was thankful for whatever long-ago downtown beautification project had been responsible for the mature crape myrtles lining Main Street because the leafy, flowering branches filtered the sunlight shining in through the transom windows. Even so, her head ached as she strolled through her store. Spotting movement in the bookstore, she made her way in that direction.
“Hi! Welcome to Violet’s Emporium,” she called, trying not to cringe.
“Hi, I’m looking for some information, and I thought maybe—” The woman turned around and paused when she saw Violet. “Do I know you?”
The sun was in her eyes, and Violet blinked, finally using her hand to shade them so she could see without pain. Her head pulsed as recognition dawned. There was no mistaking her red hair or that pretty face. “Yes, you do. I’m Violet Tyler, and you’re Bunny, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I am. Man, what are the odds, huh? I—that is, I hope I’m not putting you on the spot or anything.”
She darted a gaze around, but Violet waved away her concern and said, “It’s just you and me in here at the moment, only…I need to be careful what I say because of the non-disclosure agreement I signed.”
“I understand. I have a few questions, and I’m looking for answers in your bookstore. I won’t ask you any personal questions, I promise. Are you okay? You don’t look so hot.”
“Well…it’s like this…”
She explained her night out and hangover, leaving out the part where Josh and Lucas had brought her home and tucked her into her bed. She had been mortified to discover she was still in the nightie she’d put on to entice them before she’d evidently nodded off. She’d awakened to find her bottle of Tylenol and a tall glass of water on her bedside table. Beside the items they’d so thoughtfully set out for her was a note telling her they would come by the Emporium early that afternoon.
“I know an excellent hangover remedy recipe. If you’ll help me find the right resources, I’ll run and get you what you need and you’ll feel one hundred percent better in no time.”
“I hate for you to go to so much trouble—”
“I don’t mind. And I could really use your help. I wasn’t even sure how I was going to ask for what I need before I came in here. It’s my good luck you’re here. You need to drink some water. I’ll be right back.”
She was about to stop her, but Bunny was already out the door into the glaring sunshine.
“Please, Lord, let it work because I’m dying here.”
She stumbled back to the counter and looked at her reflection in the mirror. A tired face with shadows under tired, murky eyes and dull skin looked back at her, and she gave herself a halfhearted smile. You did this to yourself, so no whining.
After getting a bottle of water from the case in her office, she sucked down half of it, hoping it would stay put. She hadn’t had any luck earlier that morning and hadn’t been able to keep the Tylenol down either. It was probably a blessing Josh and Lucas had already been gone by the time she woke, considering her early morning sprint for the bathroom.
The sun went behind a cloud, and she breathed a sigh of relief, the pain diminishing slightly behind her eyeballs.
“Okay, here we go,” Bunny said as she hurried back into the store. “This is the best hangover remedy in Texas. Works for me every time.”
Violet took the small white Styrofoam cup from her and shook the contents gently. “It’s not a whole lot.”
Bunny grinned, and her eyes twinkled. “You’re gonna be glad of that in a minute because you have to drink it all at once.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a Bloody Mary…sort of. Bottoms up.”
She closed her eyes and drew on the straw, trying not to breathe in the pungent fumes. She downed the concoction and covered a cough as she set the cup on the counter, oh-so thankful there was still no one in the store. “Good Lord, where did you get this?” A shudder rippled through her as she swallowed again.