Blinding Rain, Season 2, Episode 7 (Rising Storm) Read Free Page A

said, “Sara Jane, I’m ready to go. Kristin, thank you.”
    She looked back up at Ginny and for a moment, as their eyes held, Ginny thought she saw...understanding. If not that then at least acceptance. “I hope for your sake...” Celeste’s voice wavered again, and she cleared it once more. “I hope things turn out the way we both want.”
    Celeste reached around Ginny for the door handle. Heart still pounding, Ginny moved aside so Jacob’s mother could leave. Sara Jane headed for the door but paused when she reached Ginny.
    “For what it’s worth,” Sara Jane said softly, “Jacob would have liked what you just did. He would have liked it a lot.” She smiled sadly, then pulled the door open and hurried after her mother.
    As soon as the two were gone, Ginny’s adrenaline waned. She exhaled and leaned against the wall, but her big body swayed and she nearly knocked a card display over in the process. Kristin hustled around the counter to right the display before it hit the ground.
    “Well,” Kristin said on a slightly hysterical laugh, sliding cards that had tipped back in their slots. “That was pretty impressive. You put Celeste Salt in her place. Too bad it didn’t happen at the Bluebonnet Cafe. It’d already be all over town if that were the case, which by the way, I think it should be. Good job standing up for yourself, little mama.”
    Ginny’s hands shook as she sagged against the wall. “I can’t believe I just did that.”
    “It’s about time you did.” Kristin placed her hands on her hips and pinned Ginny with a look. “I understand Celeste is grieving over her son, but that doesn’t make it okay for her to treat you like crap. People in this town give that woman way more leeway than they should.”
    As Ginny studied her newest friend, she didn’t miss the bite in Kristin’s words. And even though she appreciated having someone on her side again, she couldn’t help but get the feeling there was something simmering beneath the surface between Kristin and Celeste—at least on Kristin’s side.
    The bell above the door jangled before Ginny could ask about it, and Kristin looked away, fixing a smile on her face. “Can I help you?”
    A slim, tall, twenty-something woman with dark hair pulled back into a neat tail, olive skin golden from the sun, and wide green eyes smiled as she stepped into the shop wearing jeans and a long-sleeved tee. “Hi, actually, yes you can. I saw the Help Wanted sign in the window. Are you still hiring?”
    Relief washed over Kristin’s face, and she crossed to shake the woman’s hand. “Yes, we are, Ms...?”
    “Phelps.” The woman returned the handshake. “I’m Delia.”
    “Delia Phelps...” Kristin’s eyes narrowed. “That name is very familiar.”
    “That’s because I grew up here. My last name used to be Bruce. I recently got divorced and need to change it back but...” She waved her hand. “Well, it’s a huge process and I just haven’t had time.”
    “Delia Bruce Phelps,” Kristin muttered. Her eyes flew wide. “Oh, I know why that name sounds so familiar.”
    So did Ginny. Unease rolled through Ginny’s gut as she pushed away from the wall and took a better look at the cute, athletic woman with perky breasts and a flat stomach who’d just breezed back into Storm. Delia Bruce had dated Logan Murphy back in high school, and Ginny suddenly remembered how ga-ga Logan had been for the star volleyball athlete before he’d graduated and gone off to the military.
    “Yeah.” Delia’s blush deepened. “I’m the girl who ran off with her teacher and got married. That was a major mistake, let me tell you. Thank God some things can be explained away by the stupidity of youth, right?” She smiled. “Anyway, I’m looking for a job, and I’d love to fill out an application if you have one.”
    “Sure.” Kristin headed for the counter and motioned for Delia to follow. “We’re only looking for someone part time to help out at the