Bead of Doubt (4 page)

I picked up another Swarovski crystal 8mm black bead and took it over to her.

“Here’s another one. If you lose this one, you are going to have to go get it.” I didn’t factor inventory being lost into the under in my monthly budget.

Ginger was a quick learner. She’d already done a few bracelets with me at my house a few years ago, but this time she was doing it all on her own.

“Very nice.” I nodded while touching the cat eye stretchy bracelet she was stringing.

“Well?” Sean interrupted.

The Divas glared at him. They’d never seen such a nosy ex-husband in their life.

“Well nothing.” I grabbed his arm and led him toward the door. “This has nothing to do with you. Nor will it ever. Just pay the damn alimony.”

Sean jerked away and bolted down the front shop steps.

I pulled my elastic pants up a little more and turned to face my friends in a round of applause.

“Thank you.” I bowed, and walked over to the group of teenagers to make sure there was nothing they needed.

I knew Marlene was coming before she walked in the door because Willow took off. She squealed all the way back to the storage room.

“Good morning, Holly.” Marlene peeled her gloves off her hands, and put them in her purse. She pulled out a piece of gum and put it in her mouth.

For someone who was supposed to have so much class, she sure wasn’t quiet with the gum.

“How’s Agnes Pearl?” I asked.

“Agnes Pearl? What’s wrong with Agnes?” Ginger jumped to her feet and gave Marlene the once over. “And who are you?”

Marlene put her hands on her hips, showing off her skin tight leggings ending in hot red stiletto heels.

“I’m Marlene Die. . .a” She chomped. “Dietrich.”

Hmmm.
For a moment it seemed as though Marlene Dietrich forgot she was Marlene Dietrich. A big red light bulb went off. Yes, I definitely needed to make a stop at Agnes Pearl’s and check this situation out.

Marlene didn’t respond, which turned Ginger’s face the color of Marlene’s heels.

“I’m Ginger Sloan Rush.” Ginger stood tall.

“I don’t think I asked your name.” Marlene tapped her temple. “Now, Holly, can I have a word with you?”

“Wait a minute.” Ginger put her hand out. The other Divas eyes popped open. “Who are you and what do you have to do with Agnes Pearl?”

Marlene looked at Ginger like she had two heads.

“Um, Marlene, everyone knows everyone in Swanee.” I had to stop this tension between Ginger and Marlene. I needed Marlene’s business. I hadn’t told anyone about the Yellow Spinet and didn’t plan to. “If you are going to be living here, I think you should be a little more hospitable.”

“Well?” Ginger crossed her arms over her chest.

“I’m Agnes Pearl’s new assistant.” Marlene chomped her gum, making little popping sounds.

“Personal assistant?” Ginger threw her head back in laughter. “Why does Agnes need a personal assistant?”

“I don’t know, but that’s my new job.” Marlene turned on her heels and perused the glass counter. “Can we talk now?”

I motioned for her to come to the office.

She followed me back.

Cheri was sitting on the floor and Willow was in her lap.

“Oh.” Cheri looked surprised and got up. Willow ran under the desk.

“Cheri. What are you doing in here?” I questioned her.

“I’m sorry. I saw your pig run in here and I wanted to make sure she was okay.” She apologized.

“Sure.” I narrowed my eyes. “Why don’t you take Willow for a walk?”

I grabbed the pink leash off the desk and noticed the Yellow Spinet’s pouch still sitting there. Relief settled in my stomach.

“I’d love to.” Cheri took the leash and yelled for Willow, who followed right behind her.

“Don’t be going and leaving that sitting around.” Marlene grabbed the pouch after Cheri and Willow left the office.

“I’m not. I didn’t think anyone would come in here.” I assured her. “I will make sure the door is locked next time.”

I shut the door.

“This thing is worth a mint?” I said in a loud whisper.

“I see you’ve had it checked out.” Marlene took the gem out of the pouch and kissed it. “I can’t wait to wear it. I just love it.”

She put it back and handed to me. I opened the desk drawer and put it inside.

“I’ve got a few ideas about bead wrapping.” I explained the design I thought she might like and that would go with her clothes.

“I love it!” She screamed, and clasped her hands together.

“Shh.” I put my finger up to my mouth just as someone knocked on the door.

“You okay in there, Holly?” Bernadine asked from the other side of the door and jiggled the locked door handle.

“I’ll be out in a minute.” I smiled at Marlene. “Marlene, you really should be nice to my friends if you want to fit in around here. Agnes is also a part of my group.”

She nodded and we headed out to face the Divas.

“Hi, Holly.” Jim and Doug were standing over at the Divas table.

Before I even introduced them, I could already feel the electricity between Doug and Marlene.

“Hi, Jim.” I said, and looked over at Ginger who was glaring at Marlene.

“Let me introduce Marlene to everyone.” I pointed to all the Divas in order. “This is Flora, Bernadine, Jim, and Doug. You’ve already met Ginger.”

“Nice to meet all of you.” Ginger said in that same accent she used on Noah. “I’m new in Swanee and I’d love to have someone show me around.”

“I’d love to.” Doug took Marlene’s hand and kissed it. “How about a cocktail at The Livin’ End.”

Marlene batted her fake lashes. “Definitely. Say seven-ish? Pick me up at Agnes Pearl’s and don’t be late.”

“Doug?” Ginger cocked her head sideways. “What about. . .”

Doug interrupted. “Marlene, this is my sister, Ginger.”

“Yeah, we met.” Ginger brushed Marlene aside. “You don’t know this woman.”

The teenagers left, leaving just the Divas, Marlene, Jim and Doug.

“Look.” I pointed to the girls running out into the snow. “You’ve run off my customers. Can you take this outside?”

Ginger led Doug out while Marlene took in Doug’s backside.

“Holly, I wanted to talk to you about installing some security cameras in the shop.” Jim held up a tiny camera that would fit into the palm of a toddler’s hand. “My latest investment has been in the security camera business and I’ll give you a discount.”

He showed me a few of the prices, and it almost made me sick. He knew I could hardly afford groceries much less ten thousand dollars in security cameras.

“Since when did Swanee become crime-ridden?” I tried not to laugh in his face.

Everyone in Swanee left their doors wide open. If someone broke into the shop, someone would see them.

“Just checking.” Jim put the camera back in the bag. “A lot of businesses are using them. You never know with all the teenagers coming in and out of this place.”

Teenagers?
I knew every teenager that was in here today, or at least their families.

“I’ll take my chances.” I patted him on the back.

“Ladies.” Jim nodded toward the Divas and Marlene. “Nice to meet you.”

“Yes, you too.” Marlene dragged her hot pink acrylic nail down his shoulder, then his arm, to his hand. She took his hand and squeezed it. “I might be able to talk Pearl into those.”

“You do that.” Jim slipped his hand out of Marlene’s and walked out.

“Marlene, Ginger might be a Diva, but they are never going to get divorced.” Bernadine picked up all the scrap wire and the loose beads on the table.

It was getting late and the shop was ready to close. Cheri and Willow had come back from their walk followed by Ginger.

“What’s a Diva?” Marlene questioned.

“Bernadine, Flora and I are all divorced.” I explained how we all met. “Ginger is honorary because she’s my best friend.”

“Can I be a Diva since I live here?” Cheri re-positioned the beret on her head. “I’ve been dumped by boyfriends.”

“Sure.” Flora chirped between her conversation on the phone and ours.

“I’m widowed.” There was a twinkle in Marlene’s eye. “I’d love to be a Diva.”

And that was the only information we got about Diva Marlene’s history.

Chapter Five

It took a lot of convincing for Ginger to accept Marlene, but she did. With one stipulation. Marlene had to stop hitting on Jim, and knock it off with Doug. Marlene promised to stay away from Jim, but young Doug was another story.

Marlene’s taste in men, were like her taste in jewels. Expensive.

I looked out the shop windows, watching the big snowflakes cover the street and the sidewalk. I laughed thinking about the awning and how I was going to have to clean it off again by taking the broom to it.

Everyone helped clean up. Bernadine counted the money in the cash register because she was so organized I knew she would do it right. Cheri took care of poor Willow who wouldn’t go near Marlene and her red hot heels. Flora caught up on her phone calls while she stacked all the Divas projects in the storage room. Ginger, in true best friend style, cleaned the under and dusted the dust bunnies off the beads.

We said our goodbyes, and they promised they’d all stop by tomorrow to check in on me. I locked the door behind them and went to get Willow in the office.

“How did you do?” Sean was sitting in the office chair.

“Sean!” I screamed. “You scared the holy hell out of me! How did you get in here?”

He pointed to the window in the office.

“I know we are in Swanee, but you really need to keep the window locked.” Sean’s feet hit the floor when I knocked them off the desk.

“You can’t break into the place like you own it, Sean Harper. Now get out.” I demanded.

Willow twirled her tail, and looked up at him with her big black eyes. It was beyond me, but she loved him. Most women did. That was the problem. A marriage was for two, not three or four.

“Fine.” Sean stood up. “But if you need anything, call me.”

His hand slid down my arm, giving me chills.

Too bad
, I thought. If only he could be faithful.

I made sure he was gone and locked the front door again. I stood at the front of the shop and marveled at my hobby turned dream. I giggled like a girl.

Finally my life was becoming mine and what I wanted to do.

“Let’s get your leash and go home.” I patted my leg for Willow to follow me. “And we can’t forget the you know what.”