Sucker Punch Read Free Page B

kitchen. “Do you know who that was?”
    “No, and I don’t care either. He was rude and obnoxious.”
    Karen tilted her head to one side, a silent acknowledgment that I had a point. At least she gave me that.
    “So who was he?”
    “His name is Geoffrey Manwaring, and he’s Laurence Nichols’s manager.”
    Okay, she had my attention. Laurence Nichols is to Colorado what Donny Osmond is to Utah. Without the brood of siblings. Or the teeth. Or the Mormon background. Laurence started out in Paradise as a kid, and the folks around here practically idolize him. I have to admit, I was a little starstruck, myself. But only a little.
    “That doesn’t excuse the way he acted. Why would Laurence Nichols keep such an annoying person on his payroll?”
    “Probably because he can get things done. He doesn’t take no for an answer.”
    I snorted a laugh. “I could have made him.”
    “I’m sure you could have, but that wouldn’t have been the best move for Divinity.”
    “Neither is pandering to awful people.”
    “He wanted a box of chocolates delivered,” Karen said, growing impatient with me. “Was that so awful?”
    “He called me your girl ,” I reminded her. “And yes, it was awful. If we deliver for him, we’re going to have to deliver for everyone who flashes a little cash or thinks they’re special. It’s setting a bad precedent, one we can’t afford.”
    “We already deliver under special circumstances,” Karen said, coming into the kitchen and lowering her voice so it wouldn’t carry. “You just didn’t want to deliver for him because he was rude.”
    “Bingo!”
    “Well, relax. I’ll have Liberty make the delivery so you won’t even have to think about it again. Meanwhile, we made a nice sale and we can now say that Laurence Nichols is a customer.”
    I glanced at her sharply. “They were for Laurence?”
    “Yes they were. A nice gift from Laurence to a woman who lives right here in Paradise. If he’s happy with our service, maybe he’ll order more. Can you imagine what it would do for the store if he bought Valentine’s Day candy from us?”
    I had to admit, he’d make a nice addition to our client list. “As long as I don’t have to deal with Mr. Manhandle,” I bargained.
    Grinning from ear to ear, Karen sketched an X across her chest. “I promise, you never have to see Geoffrey Manwaring again if you don’t want to.”
    She had good reason to grin. So far, the score was Karen 2, Abby 0, and all I could do was hope the worst was over.

Chapter 3

    We had a rush of customers after Manwaring left, and we all stayed busy for the next several hours. I didn’t have a chance to think about anything but rose-shaped lollipops and cherry divinity until Vonetta Cummings strolled into the shop with Paisley Pringle on her heels late in the afternoon.
    Liberty had left a few minutes earlier to deliver Manwaring’s order, and the shop was crowded with teenage girls making plans for the Sweetheart Ball that weekend, but they seemed to be shopping in a pack and Karen had taken charge.
    Vonetta stood out from the crowd for several reasons. First, she’s tall, slim, and regal and the rest of our customers were mostly short and giggly. She’s also closer to sixty than sixteen.
    She wore a long chocolate-colored coat and boots. Paired with matching leopard print hat, scarf, and gloves she looked as if she’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine. She’s the only woman I know who can wear that much animal print and not look overblown.
    Vonetta has been manager of the Paradise Playhouse for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always admired her. Even when I was a girl and African Americans were rare in Paradise, she dressed to celebrate her heritage. Her choices might not seem remarkable now, but in those days her wardrobe created quite a stir. Back then, Paradise wasn’t known for its forward thinking.
    Paisley, on the other hand, dresses like most of us—jeans, old sweater stuffed under