Read Embraceable You (Irish Hearts Series) for Free Online Page B

Siena. I’m Roberta, Roberta Cassidy. I taught you to crochet one summer. Remember? We loved Addie so much . . ." She paused to wipe a tear.
    Siena braced for another hug, but Roberta just sandwiched her hand and squeezed. Siena barely recognized Zach’s long-suffering mother. Everyone felt sorry for her because she had been married to a drunk and had to finish raising three kids by herself. Word was that her husband, Zach's father, took his boat out fishing, apparently inebriated, and drowned. Today Roberta looked pale and gaunt, her face dwarfed by a huge wig that looked like Raquel Welsh 's hair. Zach said she was doing well after her cancer treatment, but it obviously left her affected. 
    The next woman pushed into her view. "I’m Carrie Nichols. We’re missing your wonderful auntie so much, but she said you’d know how to make our lace magical again, which was her word for profitable."
    "Now Carrie, you're getting ahead of yourself. Siena just got here. Give her time," Claire said.
    Siena shook her head. "Sorry, but I don’t know one thing about lace. Or how to make it profitable."
    But no one was listening to her because they all proceeded to do their thing. And talk. They looked like large, colorful birds. Claire was the big-breasted robin, leading the way. Carrie's straight brown hair, parted in the middle with bangs, and dark-rimmed glasses made her look like an owl, but a charming owl. Roberta looked like a swallow, her slender face surrounded by that damn big haired wig.
    "I hope you don't mind, but we always come in on Wednesdays to make our lace and chat a bit. Addie entrusted us with a key, so we come here to work, snow or shine." Claire picked up a pair of sunglasses that had fallen to the floor and adjusted the rack that held about thirty of them.
    "But we’re so glad you're here." Roberta followed, straightening a feather mask. "To take over."   
    Siena folded her arms and shook her head. "Uh, ladies . . ."
    "Addie was the best cook. Put us all to shame. I brought some scones this time. Not bad, if I do say so myself." Carrie placed a basket on the counter. "We have to pick up where Addie left off, right?"
    "This is our day for needlework," Roberta said. "Addie would have a fit if we missed a week. She would say we let our power sift through our fingers."
    "But we – I – need time," Siena said. "I just arrived last night."
    "Yes, we know." Claire put her bag on a chair and started digging into it.
    "We won’t get in your way. You just go ahead and do whatever." Roberta adjusted her glasses. "We'll watch the store."
    "You’ve probably guessed that we’re the Lacy Ladies," Claire said with a laugh, pulling up her lace work. "Addie called us that and we rather liked it. She said you would figure out what to do with our lovely hand-made lace."
    Siena felt something between sympathy and real pain. "Look Ladies, I really don’t think I can – "
    "We know, dear. No pressure, of course," Claire said, patting her hand. "Just do what you can. You’re our new blood. Probably know all about that social media stuff and more. Do you have a Kindle?"
    Siena nodded and Claire continued, as if a question wasn’t asked. "I just hate the thought of those flat little boxes holding my beloved books, but my darling daughter got me one for my birthday last year and I must admit, I read faster with it. Oh, that sounds silly, doesn’t it?"
    Roberta lifted a display box filled with various kinds, shapes and colors of hand-made lace doilies. "They aren’t fast movers, are they? I think we should make all this into Heart’s Desire Pillows."
    "They do need a better display," Siena admitted. "Do what with them? Make pillows?"
    Carrie held a teapot up. "Mind if I run upstairs for some water for our tea? We always did when Addie was here."
    "No, but – " Siena did not want to spend the morning having tea with these well-intentioned ladies making their freakin’ lace.
    "Not to worry. We can take perfectly good care of