Have Bouquet, Need Boyfriend by Rita Herron Read Free Book Online Page B

Hill to be exhausted from baking for the
    various seasonal parties, but instead, they were planning New Year’s Day
    dinners, Super Bowl get-togethers and church functions to collect food
    and clothing for the needy.

    Mimi popped over with her baby, Maggie Rose. “Hey, Bee, you’ve been busy
    today.”

    “I know. Thank heavens. I’ll need all the money I can get to pay my
    insurance premium now.”

    “You talked to your agent already?”

    “How’d it go when you drove Thomas home after Alison’s wedding?”

    Rebecca cringed. “Awful, Mimi. I’m such a klutz.”

    Mimi squeezed her hand. “Don’t beat yourself up too much. Thomas handled
    the accident pretty well.”

    “I suppose so. Then again, he is a nice man.”

    Mimi laughed. “Yeah, the nicest. Alison hated hurting him, but they
    weren’t right for each other.”

    “Do you think he’s still in love with her?” Rebecca asked.

    “I don’t think so.” Mimi rocked Maggie Rose back and forth, and
    Rebecca’s heart tugged at the tiny little fists sneaking their way out
    of the pink blanket.

    Goodness, she wanted a baby so much.

    Karina Peterson and Darlene Wilkerson, two girls her age, waltzed in a
    cloud of perfume and designer clothes.

    Mimi rolled her eyes. “Looks like those two have been dipping into their
    daddies’ cash.”

    Rebecca laughed. “They’ve probably never worked a day in their lives.”

    “I know. Listen, I need to run Maggie to Hannah’s for a checkup.” Mimi
    gestured toward the adjoining coffee shop. “Bernadette and Angelina are
    running things, but I’ll be back for the art class this afternoon.
    You’re still having story time first?”

    “Of course, my bag of puppets are ready.” Rebecca tickled Maggie Rose
    under the chin, her heart touched by the angelic face staring up at her.
    “She’s so beautiful.”

    Mimi tenderly kissed her daughter’s forehead. “I

    know. And if I don’t get going, Seth will be pacing the halls wondering
    why I’m late. That man’s crazy about this kid.”

    Rebecca waved at her and returned to the register, fighting another bout
    of envy. The bell above the door tinkled and Bud and Red, two
    old-timers, loped toward the magazine rack for the latest wrestling
    magazine. A handful of teenagers milled around looking at teen magazines
    and comic books, already bored from the winter break.

    Karina and Darlene browsed the sale area. “This spinach casserole looks
    fabulous,” Karina cooed. “I’m going to cook it for Doc Emerson.”

    Rebecca froze at the cash register, her hand on the roll of quarters she
    needed for change.

    “Isn’t he the cutest thing to ever set foot in Sugar Hill?” Darlene said.

    Karina giggled. “You bet your boots. I fabricated cramps last month just
    so I could sneak in an extra visit.”

    “Better watch out. I heard Trish Tieney is out to snag him. She told
    Elvira Baker that he’s number one on her husband list.”

    “Drat. Trish does have those big boobs.”

    “And she’s taking a French-cooking class.”

    Karina wrinkled her nose and reached for a book on desserts. “I know
    just the thing to win Dr. Emerson’s heart-a double-chocolate layer fudge
    cake.” She fanned her face. “Maybe I’ll even dribble chocolate syrup on
    me and let him lick it off.”

    Rebecca coughed and dropped the roll of quarters she’d been opening,
    sending them rolling across the floor.

    Both girls turned to glare at her, and she quickly stooped to pick up
    the change, pretending she hadn’t heard their conversation. If beautiful
    Karina and Trish had their sights set on Thomas, she didn’t have a

    chance.

    She gathered the loose quarters and dumped them in the drawer. Karina
    watched her like a hawk as she rang up the purchases. “Thanks, ladies,”
    Rebecca said.

    Feigning nonchalance, she wove her way to the self-help section,
    replaying her grandmother’s words-Believe in yourself. Follow your
    dreams. But how could she do that