Divine Charity (21 page)

“You know that goes for me, too, Presley Ann, right?” Charity added.

Presley Ann turned to them with a broad smile and misty eyes and sniffled before she said, “I think I’d like that. I’m not sure why I blurted all that out, I guess I just felt like I could trust you both not to judge. I’m going to check on Justine. Be right back.” As she walked away, Charity noticed her footwear. She was wearing simple little low-heeled flats.

As soon as she was out of sight, Grace leaned over and whispered, “She works on commission.”

“Gotcha.”

Justine tried on each dress, saving the best one—the mermaid style—for last. Charity and Grace both gasped when she came out, looking like a vision as the gold chiffon swept the floor in soft waves, with her bared toes peeking out from beneath with each step. She smiled at her reflection when she faced the mirror, turning and looking at herself from all angles.

Charity saw it the moment real womanly confidence entered Justine’s eyes. Batting the tears back with rapid blinks, she finally found her voice. “You have to get that, honey. It’s perfect.”

Presley Ann nodded in affirmation when Justine looked at her for her opinion and said, “If you’ll give me your date’s name, I’ll record your color preferences for when he comes in to select his tuxedo and be fitted for it, but I’d like to make a suggestion.”

Justine didn’t even hesitate. “Shoot.”

Presley Ann handed her a tuxedo brochure and pointed at one of the pictures. “Suggest that he go with the classic black tuxedo, black vest, and a regular tie, also in black, with a white dress shirt. The two of you will be stunning, and will set yourselves apart from everyone else.”

Justine looked at her mother for her opinion. Charity nodded and said, “If you can do that for her, I think they would look perfect on prom night. Thank you, Presley Ann. You’re
really
good at this stuff.”

Presley Ann blushed. “It’s my pleasure. I’ll make a note and when he comes in, I’ll let him know your preferences. From there it’s up to him.”

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?”

They debated the pros and cons of Grace’s and Charity’s men, who all got ringing endorsements for various styles but Justine insisted she wanted her dad to teach her.

Charity smiled back at her daughter. “I’m sure he would be honored to teach you how to dance, honey.”

* * * *

Justin directed Ransome as he backed the pickup truck to the large door at the rear of the building that housed Violet’s Emporium. As if on cue, the rolling door began to rise behind him and the sounds of construction and progress filtered from the interior.

“Hi, guys!” Violet called as she came out into the bright sunshine.

Ransome and Val lifted the first large sculpture, an abstract bull made from metal strips, with its horns lowered and ready to charge, onto the dolly to bring in.

“If you’ll follow me, I can show you the area I’ve set up for your display.”

She led them through the large space that was currently undergoing renovation. Josh Abbott looked up from his work at a table saw, grinned, and gave them a wave as they passed.

The interior walls were still the original red brick and workmen were busy installing new transom windows to replace the old ones, several of which he could see were broken. The other Abbott brothers were busy with industrial sanders, working on the expansive, old wooden floor, prepping it for refinishing.

Justin exchanged wide-eyed looks with Ransome and Val as they looked around at all the work going on. Justin said, “Violet, this place is going to be amazing when you’re done. I’d forgotten how big it is in here.”

Violet nodded. “This building is basically half of a city block, if you include the loading dock and back parking lot. It’s all coming together so well and even I’m amazed. The Abbotts came highly recommended and have been wonderful to work with.”

“They’re good guys,” Justin said as she came to a stop inside the book store and gestured to the area designated for his work. In a corner of the store near the large, antique sales counter, she’d had limestone blocks delivered and stacked as pedestals for the larger pieces and had also set up a display rack made of Plexiglas for the smaller pieces. He was speechless at first.

Violet smiled big at him and said, “Is it big enough?”

He laughed and gave her a wide-eyed look. “Big enough? I should be asking if you’re sure you want to devote this much space to my work.”

With a shrug, she said, “Well, I know that your inventory is going to fluctuate as pieces sell but based on the number of pieces you have available right now, I thought this space would work. I could expand it another five feet if I need to.”

They moved the bull into position on its pedestal and arranged it as she suggested, and then she beckoned to them. “Let me show you what I have planned.”

She showed them where the sales counter would be moved to, out in the unfinished main room and then pointed to the area front and center in the Emporium, a spot where the light from the front windows poured in. “Your work will be the first thing customers see when they walk in the door.”

“And all you’re asking is a consignment fee? I feel like I should be paying you rent, Violet.”

“The consignment fee will be sufficient. Just keep bringing me pieces in different sizes and we’ll be fine. I think you’re going to be amazed by how popular your work will become. I posted the pictures I took of your sculptures on Saturday on my Facebook page.”

“And?” he asked, noting the excitement shining in her eyes.

“I’ve already had a number of inquiries about seeing them in person.”

All Justin could do was shake his head in surprise, and then he laughed.

Violet laughed with him and said, “All I ask is that when you’re a big highfalutin artiste type that you’ll still send me a few pieces every year to sell for you. Why don’t you bring them in and we’ll get them set up. Oh, and will you let Justine know I’m looking for help if she’d like a part-time job?”

“I sure will, Violet. Thanks.”

They brought in the rest of the pieces and promised to return after lunch with the second load. She waved and nodded as she chatted with a customer who was looking at the bull sculpture with obvious interest.

* * * *

“Can I see again?” Justine asked as she reached for her mom’s hand which rested on the table at Rudy’s, where they’d just finished lunch.

Charity chuckled and let her daughter manipulate her left hand as she looked at the rings. Sometimes the stones would glint and give her a little start and remind her that what she’d dreamed of was now her reality. Val and Ransome were hers, along with the love of her life. Just as important, Beau and Justine had welcomed them into the circle.

Charity could see the curiosity in Justine’s eyes as she turned them on her mom and then shifted them to her aunt. Grace giggled as Charity squirmed, bracing for Justine’s questions and her daughter did not disappoint.

“So…” Justine rested one elbow on the table and then shifted and rested the other elbow on the table as she sorted out her questions. “That’s…lots of arms and legs to keep track of, huh?”

Grace snorted and laughed until she held her abdomen and had to wipe tears from her eyes. Charity just put her hands over her eyes and gave in to the levity as Justine joined them. “Nice icebreaker, honey.”

“Kablaam, huh?” Justine said merrily, her cheeks bright pink. “I mean, obviously I don’t want actual details because you’re my mom and dad and…” She gave a comical shudder. “No one wants to imagine their mom and dad doing the deed, I just wondered about how you keep up.”

Charity said, “I’ve always been open with you and Beau where sex was concerned and I’ll be happy to share any details you might want—when you’re thirty years old, are married, and have at least two kids. Oh, and by the way, it’s
them
that have to keep up with
me
.”

Grace smirked and whispered, “That ain’t no shit,” and then high-fived Charity, and Justine rolled her eyes. Rudy approached just then with the check and Grace got it from him before Charity could reach for it.

“That’s it? No details…at all?”

Charity said, “You’re a smart girl, Justine. It works exactly the way you imagine it works.”

“I’ve read Aunt Grace’s books before—”

“You have?” Grace said, looking a little owl-eyed.

“Of course. I’m doing more than just studying languages, you know? I read for pleasure, too.” Justine’s cheeks turned redder and she shrugged. “It’s cool. I guess I was just mainly curious how the two of you handle your schedules and trying to keep up with who needs what. It’s a lot to contemplate.”

Grace was better at putting the ménage dynamic into words so Charity let her field that question. “There are no score cards and we try to live in the moment. Certain pursuits like television and video games have gone by the wayside so we can spend time with each other. That doesn’t mean that I’ve cut myself off from technology because I couldn’t do that. It’s just in its proper place within our family. They’re great help with Rose Marie and will be with this one,” she said, gesturing to her tummy. “I know I’m their first priority and that’s a wonderful feeling. The fact that there are three of them actually makes it a little easier.”