When Rain Falls Read Free Page B

thinly arched eyebrows. “You sure you don’t need to take some time off?”
    â€œHow can I? We have clients booked, and not everyone is showing up to do their job. Look, I will be fine, but yeah, a vacation would be real nice.”
    â€œYou the boss lady. Take one. And if you need help, you holler. Loud.”
    Candace murmured, “I will.” She had no intentions of being a burden on anyone, especially Beulah. The woman took on more than was necessary. She’d almost become a surrogate mother to Candace. Only Beulah and Pamela knew how she had clawed her way back after losing Frank.
    â€œBy the way, sugar, I wanted to know when you were going to let me introduce you to my nephew.”
    â€œAh, Beulah, come on. I’m sure your nephew is a wonderful man, but right now I can’t.”
    â€œHoney, I’m not trying to pressure you.” Beulah grinned. “I just know you two should at least meet each other.”
    Candace balked at Beulah’s matchmaking. The one and only man she’d dated in her life, she’d fallen head over heels in love with, and they’d had two beautiful children, and then God took him from her. She had accepted Jesus in her life as a young girl, but over the years she had grown distant from God. Her mother’s murder had pierced her faith. As she struggled to understand Frank’s death, she felt the farthest away she had ever been from God. Her eyes stung. She bit her lip.
    From the sink area, Candace heard the salon’s back door open. Water from the hose splashed up into her face. Thank goodness Mrs. Roberts had drifted off into la-la land. As she grabbed a towel to dry her face, Tangerine Nelson, better known as Tangie, poked her head into the sink area.
    Tangie’s micro braids were held elegantly at the top of her head; the braided tresses curled at the ends and trailed down to the nape of her neck. A pair of gold hoop earrings danced as she moved her head. Almost six feet tall, the ebony-skinned woman had had aspirations of being a model. A bad marriage and three children later, Tangie devoted her life instead to making others beautiful. Well, at least when she decided to show up to work on time.
    â€œHey, Candace.”
    â€œNice of you to show up this morning, Tangie.” Her retort came out sharper than she wanted. Candace didn’t want to be confrontational, but she didn’t want to hear any excuses. She could’ve at least called.
    Tangie sucked her breath in sharply. “I’m sorry. My babysitter went out of town again without telling me. I had to take the boys all the way across town to Mama’s house. She wasn’t pleased.” In the mirror above the sink, Tangie did a quick check. Candace thought her makeup looked flawless. Tangie thought otherwise, as she reached in her purse to pull out a tube of lip gloss.
    â€œTo make matters worse ...” Tangie applied the shimmery burgundy liquid to her lips. “I would’ve been here sooner, but Mama’s refrigerator was empty. I had to run around the corner to get some groceries. You know my three little monsters can eat.”
    Candace reached for a towel from the basket behind her and threw it across her shoulder. She didn’t bother to look Tangie in the eyes. They were going to have to talk soon. She had a business to run. “So, you were nowhere near a phone to call and say, ‘Candace I’m going to be late.’”
    Tangie shook her head. “I’m sorry.” Despite her apology, she narrowed her eyes and faced Candace. “I’ll call next time, okay?” The gold bracelets on Tangie’s arms clattered to a beat as she walked away.
    Candace’s neck and shoulders began to tighten. She didn’t need this drama. Once again she glanced over at the clock. She needed Pamela there. Her friend could make her laugh like nobody else. Make her forget about all her issues.
    Pamela, where are you? And