Carolina Moon

white’s very charming. Why don’t you put it behind the counter for me while I wander around a little more?”
    “I’d be happy to. I’ll get you one out of the stockroom.”
    “Victoria.” Marietta lowered her voice, brushed her hand over the back of Tory’s. “You were very brave to come back here. You always were very brave.”
    She moved away while Tory stood, puzzled and surprised by the wave of grief that had flowed off the woman and into the air.
    She stepped into the stockroom to clear her mind and fetch the bowl, and was annoyed when Faith marched in behind her.
    “What did that woman want?”
    “I beg your pardon? This is employees only.”
    “What did she want? Marietta.”
    Coolly, Tory reached on the shelf for the bowl. “This. A number of people who come here want merchandise. That’s why I call it a store.”
    “What did she say to you?”
    “And why would that be your business?”
    Faith hissed between her teeth and dug a pack of cigarettes out of her purse.
    “No smoking.”
    “Damn it.” She shoved them back in and began to pace. “That woman has no business flouncing around town.”
    “That woman seemed perfectly nice to me. And I don’t have time for your snits or your gossip.” Though she couldn’t deny her curiosity was peaked. “Now, unless you’d like to help me replace stock, or refill the iced tea pitcher, I’ll need you to step back out.”
    “You wouldn’t think she was so nice if she’d been fucking your daddy.” With that one snarling outburst, Faith whirled for the door. Tory remembered Faith’s temper very well and, anticipating her mood, Tory shifted the bowl and slapped a hand on the door before Faith could wrench it open.
    “Don’t you make a scene. Don’t you dare bring your family troubles into my place. You want to have a catfight, then you just go somewhere else.”
    “I won’t make a scene.” But she was vibrating. “I have no intention of giving the people around here anything to snicker about. And you just forget what I said. I shouldn’t have said it. We’ve gone to considerable trouble to keep my father’s association with that woman quiet. So if I hear any talk, I’ll know you started it.”
    “Don’t threaten me. The day you could push me around is long past, so you just pull in your claws around here because nowadays I fight back.”
    She would have left it at that, was angry enough to, but Faith’s lip trembled. One small quiver of emotion and Tory saw Hope. “Why don’t you stay in here a minute? Go on, sit down until you’re calm again. You walk out looking like that and you won’t have to make a scene to set people talking. Besides, right now they’re having a fine time talking about me.”
    She opened the door, glanced over. “No smoking,” she repeated, and closed the door behind her.
    Faith dropped into a chair and, glaring at the door, pulled her cigarettes out again. She stuffed them guiltily back into her purse when the door swung back open.
    But instead of Tory, it was Boots who slipped into the room. Just because she was having a high time flitting around the store didn’t mean she was blind to subtleties. She’d seen the hot rage on Faith’s face, just as she saw the embarrassed misery on it now.
    “We sure are hopping out there.” She spoke cheerfully and waved a hand in front of her face. “I needed me a minute out of the crowd.” And thought it the perfect opportunity to corner the woman who had Wade wrapped in knots.
    “Why don’t you sit down, Miss Boots?” Faith got quickly to her feet. “I was just going back out.”
    “Oh, keep me company a minute, won’t you, honey? Don’t you look pretty today, then you always do.”
    “Thanks. I can say the same for you.” Now that she was standing, Faith wished she had something to do with her hands. “Ah, you must be very proud of Tory today.”
    “I’ve always been proud of her. And how’s your mama doing?”
    “She’s well.”
    “Never known her to be otherwise for long. You be sure to give her my best now, won’t you?” Smiling easily, Boots wandered over to the bakery box, selected a cookie. “Haven’t seen Wade today, have you? I expect he’ll be over.”
    “No, I haven’t seen him today.” Yet.
    “Boy works so hard.” She sighed, nibbled on the little frosted cookie. “I wish he’d settle down, find a woman who’d help make a home with him.”
    “Ah. Hmmm.”
    “Oh, now no point in being flustered, sweetie.” Boots