Summer's Indiscretion(Divine Creek Ranch 7)(83)
Summer chuckled, trying to find the humor in the situation. “Margot will love that.”
Ace smiled, “Actually, they seem to have hit it off after their rather bumpy start.”
“Really? I wondered what was up with them,” she replied.
“Opposites attracting, I think,” Kemp said. “Okay, darlin’. What are you going to do now?”
“What I always do when I have stress.”
“What’s that?” Ace asked as he helped her down from the seat of the Hummer.
“Go shoe shopping.”
* * * *
Summer browsed the shoe displays, elbowing Grace as she pointed to a wicked-looking pair of black stilettos that had a row of silver chains for ankle straps. “Who’s doing the buying for Stigall’s these days? Pretty racy for a traditional family-run operation.
Grace giggled and replied, “Leah is trying to get the buyers to select more trendy fashions. She cuts the fat, so he gives in a little,” she said indicating the shoe department. “It used to be that there were chairs here and they brought the shoes out to you, for you to try on. That was someone’s job, to help you. They’ve taken out the seating area and expect you to try shoes on standing up or perched on a little bench if one is available,” she said, holding on to Summer’s shoulder as she balanced her very pregnant body on one foot, trying to slip the stiletto on. She sighed and put it back.
“No luck?”
“Nope. I should be looking for something more comfortable anyway. The guys said they love seeing me in heels, but if it’s affecting my balance and making my feet hurt, I should get some comfy shoes.”
“They’re so sweet to you.”
“I know. I love those men so much. Speaking of men, did Rachel tell you that Chance and Clayton Carlisle stopped in this morning?”
Summer shook her head. She’d called around looking for Grace to see if she wanted to go shoe shopping since it was her day off. “Nope. I took care of Chance yesterday though. Was everything all right with the turquoise jewelry I sold him?”
“Oh, there was no problem with that. He came in with a slip of paper, saying he needed another copy of a certain book. A Caressa MacFarland book that you sold him.” Grace made big eyes at her and then started laughing. “I will be so mortified if they ever figure out they are the inspiration for that book. No, they will be mortified. I will just die!”
Summer chuckled and said, “Pregnancy sure has brought out the drama in you, Grace. Why did they need another copy? Or do I want to know?”
“According to Rachel, she quizzed him a bit and since they’ve known each other a while he fessed up and told her they’d both been reading sections of the book and didn’t realize until it was too late that they’d creased the spine on the book. Chance didn’t want her to think he’d give her a used erotic romance as a gift. He said he and Clayton actually enjoyed it.”
Summer burst into giggles and noticed a woman frowning at them with disapproval on her face. She tried to smile at her and looked away, vowing to be quieter. The stress of the morning must’ve been getting to her. Summer found a pair of sunflower-yellow patent wedge-heeled sandals with jeweled flowers on the uppers that she couldn’t live without.
Grace pulled her over to the baby department, and they were looking at little one-piece fuzzy sleepers when Summer noticed the angry-looking woman from earlier in the shoe department chasing after a merrily giggling toddler. “Patrick! Patrick Jr.! You cut that out. Be a good boy,” she fussed. She looked beyond frustrated.
“Nope,” the blond-headed boy said and clapped his hands.
“Hey, girls! What’s shakin’!”
Summer looked up in surprise at the familiar voice. “Hi, Rosemary! How’re you?” she asked as Rosemary hugged her.
Looking as gorgeous as ever, the petite, raven-haired beauty replied, “I’m just peachy. Staying busy at the store. I had to get away so I could enjoy shopping for a change.” She cast a glance around and added more softly, “Although I will say I wish that one would stop giving us the death stare. I swear she is everywhere I go these days.”
Summer looked in the direction Rosemary pointed and caught the same woman glaring at them again, only now she seemed positively incensed.
Leah Woodworth, the store manager, pushed through the stockroom doors, pulling a rack of women’s clothing, and said, “Hi, ladies! How is everybody? Everything going okay out at Discretion?” Leah dusted her hands off and then gave each of them a hug.
“Discretion is great. How are things here?”
Leah chuckled and said, “The same. Dad says ‘trim the fat!’ I keep telling him there isn’t any left.” She shrugged. “He’s my dad. What can I do?” Leah seemed to take running the store and dealing with her dad well in stride. “What about that other mess? Juliana said y’all were having a heck of a time with that nasty blog business. I’m sorry you keep getting harassed like that.”