Read Needs A Little TLC (Spinning Hills Romance 2) for Free Online Page A

warm-humored voice brought her back before the hollow thud spread. “Good manners is what’s good for business. You two haven’t even said hello to Cassie’s friend.” She came up from behind the counter wearing a frilly pink and black apron over ankle jeans and a T-shirt. The spunk in her step and the spike in her short blond do belied the long-suffering, too-old-for-this-nonsense tone in her voice. She walked over to give both Cassie and a surprised Jessica a quick, loving squeeze.
    “Jessica, meet Rosa, Ruby, and Sherry, the double agents I was telling you about.”
    The door behind her jingled, signaling customers, but the three women didn’t move. Rosa’s big brown eyes narrowed. “Really, Cassidy? This is how you choose to introduce us?”
    Cassie laughed. “Don’t play innocent with me! You know you told Sam I was the owner of Red Realty when I expressly asked you not to tell anybody. All this time I thought you were only keeping me informed of everything that went on around here out of a special loyalty.”
    “Wait. You told us not to tell?” Rosa drew her brows a little too close together. She was a terrible actress, always overdoing it.
    Ruby tilted her head and pretended to think about it. “I don’t recall you asking us to keep that information private.”
    Sherry was good. Her eyes lost their twinkle and she managed to look offended. “Our memories are not what they used to be, and you accuse us of being double agents? As in spies?” The word spies made her eyes glitter, though, ruining the effect. It was obvious she rather liked the idea.
    “We are not spies .” Ruby shot Cassie a quelling look.
    “No, I’d say you’re more like equal-opportunity meddlers,” Dan’s deep voice chimed in. Cassie turned to see both Dan and Johnny standing by the door, arms crossed, lips quirked. Dan’s knowing look and dry tone hinted he’d also been a recent victim to the meddling.
    Now that she was calmer, she took the chance to examine them each for changes. Dan’s blue-gray eyes were brighter than she remembered, and something about his demeanor made him look happier than she’d ever seen him. He looked exactly the same, only more contented, slightly older, and more muscular. Johnny looked like he hadn’t aged a day. The ever-present, easy grin and long-lashed, heavy-hooded hazel eyes that had forever gotten him both into and out of trouble were more devastating than ever.
    He nodded at Jessica and Cassie wasn’t surprised or concerned to see her friend blush, though she’d never seen her blush before. Johnny had that effect on most women.
    “Let’s call them informants. It sounds more professional.” Johnny winked.
    “Well, that makes us sound like gossipers, and we do not gossip. We share. We inform. Occasionally, we vent. But we do not gossip.” Rosa crossed her arms and challenged them with her eyes.
    “And don’t forget, we also comfort. So, what dessert and purpose will it be for you two ladies today?” Sherry asked.
    “Purpose?” Jessica repeated.
    “Close your eyes and think of the dessert that your innermost hunger craves,” Ruby instructed.
    Cassie bit her lip and watched Jessica swallow hard and bide her time. “I guess I’ll have some blueberry pie, if you have some.”
    Everyone turned to Ruby. Jessica furrowed her brow, but Rosa squeezed her hand and said, “Don’t feel like we’re putting you on the spot, hija . It’s all just a good marketing ploy I came up with years ago.”
    Ruby glowered at Rosa before turning back to Jessica. “The purpose of blueberry pie is to juice up and give a distinct flavor to those areas of your life that feel vague to you. Do you know if this purpose you’re craving is permanent or temporary?”
    “Um. Well, I—uh, I . . .” Jessica stammered.
    Ruby smiled wider. “Don’t worry. I know how we can figure it out. Nobody move.”
    Ruby rushed to the kitchen. Jessica widened her eyes at Cassie and Cassie shrugged. Dan and Johnny