“Six a.m.,” he said, “and wear clothes suitable for riding.”
She stormed out, sulking.
Rafe chuckled. No way would she show up.
* * *
“Angie, how are you?” Debra Montgomery took her arm. “What can we show you today?”
“Whatever you have that’s new.”
Deb nodded. “I’ll call in the reserves.”
Angie was known around town for her shopping sprees. She ignored the snotty remarks that she alone kept Deb’s Boutique in business. Right now she wanted new clothes, and then she’d head over to the beauty shop for some pampering.
Because she felt like it, that’s why.
“We just got in some great new studded jeans from New York,” Deb said. “I’ll have Lori bring some out in your size.”
Angie tried on six pairs of jeans, discarded three, and added the other three to her pile. “I’ll need some shirts to go with these,” she told Lori, the red-haired clerk she hadn’t seen before.
Lori brought in shirt after shirt, but none suited Angie. She piled them back into Lori’s arms. “Don’t you have anything that doesn’t look like it came from a discount store tent sale? Sheesh!”
Lori sighed. “I’ll check with Deb.”
Deb herself came over. “I’m sorry our selection of blouses isn’t to your liking today, Angie. You know I stock only the latest fashions.”
Angie rolled her eyes. “Do you have anything else?”
“Lori’s getting a few more for you.”
“Maybe you should light a fire under her. Your new clerk is incredibly slow.”
Deb
smiled. Deb always smiled. She had to. Angie spent a lot of money in her boutique.
Lori came out with four more blouses. Angie touched the fabric. “Is this supposed to be silk?”
“That one’s rayon,” Lori said.
“Rayon? A man-made fabric?”
“Rayon is a semi-synthetic, actually,” Deb said. “All the top houses in New York and Europe use it. You know that.”
“Whatever.” Angie took the blouses. “I’ll try them on.” She walked back into the dressing room.
“How do you stand her?” she heard Lori whisper.
Angie shook her head as her temper rose. “You may want to tell your new clerk to install soundproof doors on your dressing rooms. I heard that!”
“I’m sorry, Angie,” Deb’s voice said. “I’ll take care you myself today.”
Angie discarded three of the blouses into Deb’s waiting arms. “You should fire that new girl. Hasn’t she ever heard that the customer is always right?”
“Lori knows fashion,” Deb said. “I’m sorry she insulted you, but I won’t fire her. She came highly recommended, and just in the week she’s been here she’s made more sales than Gwen did all month.”
“Fine,” Angie said. “Put the clothes on my tab and have them delivered. And don’t expect to see me in here again as long as that little snot is working here.”