Wanda E. Brunstetter by Twice Loved Read Free Book Online Page B

with a fur collar, and a blue, knee-length skirt peeked out from underneath. the woman stood there a few seconds, fluttering her long lashes, as she glanced around the room.
    “May I help you?” Bev asked.
    “I came to see Danny. Is he here?”
    Bev motioned toward the back room. “He’s in his studio, but I believe he plans to work in the toy store later today. May I give him a message?”
    The woman stared at Bev with a critical eye, and it made Bev feel uncomfortable. “Are you the person he hired to run Twice Loved?”
    Bev nodded. “I’m Bev Winters. Are you a friend of Dan’s, or are you here looking for a used toy?”
    “My name’s Leona Howard. I’m Danny’s neighbor and a good friend.” She tapped her long red fingernails along the edge of the box. “I have no need for used toys, but I would like you to tell Danny I’m here and wish to speak with him.”
    Bev glanced at the back room again. “I believe he’s on the phone, and I would hate to interrupt him. So if you’d like to wait—”
    “Fine. I’ll get him myself.” Leona pushed past Bev, bumping her arm with the box.
    “I—I really don’t think—”
    “Just go back to whatever you were doing!” Leona called over her shoulder.
    Bev stood there dumbfounded as the brazen woman entered Dan’s studio without even knocking. Then with a shrug, she took a seat at the desk, knowing she needed to make price stickers for some newly donated stuffed animals and get them set out.
    Some time later, the door to Dan’s studio opened. Leona and Dan stepped into the hall.
    “Thanks for the pumpkin pie, Leona.”
    “Now don’t forget that rain check you promised me, Danny,” Leona said sweetly. “How about one night next week?”
    Bev put her head down and forced herself to focus on the project before her. It wasn’t her nature to eavesdrop, but it was hard to think about anything other than Dan and his lady friend. She glanced up once, and it was just in time to see Leona kiss Dan on the cheek. He grinned kind of selfconsciously, and his ears turned red.
    That’s what you get for thinking you might have a chance with Dan
, Bev fumed. Was that what she believed? Could she and Dan have a relationship that went beyond boss to employee, or friend to friend? Probably not, if he was dating his flamboyant neighbor. Besides, after Fred died, Bev had decided that she didn’t need another man in her life. It would be easier on her emotions if she could learn to manage on her own. Of course, the absence of romantic love had left a huge void in her life.
    Dan walked Leona to the front door, glancing at Bev as he passed. She averted her gaze and tried to concentrate on the price stickers in front of her.
    “See you soon, Danny,” Leona said, reaching for the doorknob. The door swung open before she could turn the knob, and in walked Ellis Hampton with a large box.
    “I’ve brought the train,” he announced.
    Glad for the interruption, Bev pushed her chair away from the desk. “Oh good. I’m happy you came by today, Ellis.”
    “I’m sorry it took me so long to get the engine repaired, but I ran into a few problems,” he apologized.
    “That’s all right. Let’s get it set up under the tree in the display window.” Bev was almost at Ellis’s side when Leona took a step backward. The two women collided, and Leona collapsed on the floor.

Chapter 10

    A re you all right?” Dan knelt next to Leona, who appeared to be more embarrassed than anything else.
    “I–I’m fine,” she stammered, “but I think the heel of my shoe is broken.” She pulled off her shoe and held it up for his inspection.
    “Yep. The heel’s almost off.” He helped Leona to her feet. “Maybe I can put some glue on it to help hold it together until you can get the shoe properly repaired.”
    She glared at Bev. “This is all your fault. If you hadn’t gotten in my way, I never would have fallen.”
    Bev’s cheeks were pink, and she looked visibly shaken. “I–I’m