The Iced Princess Read Online Free PDF Page B

the rest of her baking items.
    â€”
    E mmy reported for work at ten minutes to ten, wearing a shy smile, brown woolen pants, and a coordinating earth-toned sweater. Molly arrived a short time later, acting jumpy and dressed like a vagrant. I almost didn’t recognize her. Emmy frowned and pursed her lips in disapproval.
    Molly stared at my face, which I’m sure displayed total disbelief. “Isn’t this okay?” she said.
    â€œUh, I’ll be right back,” I said. Pinky was in the back room, and I hustled to find her. “Wait ’til you see what the cat dragged in. Molly took you literally and I think did a little dumpster diving for clothes the secondhand stores discarded,” I whispered.
    â€œCami, you must be exaggerating. How bad can it be?” She peeked around the corner for a glimpse at our new help. When she pulled her head back in, both her eyes and mouth were opened wide. “Oh my gosh. She can’t serve customers in that getup. You’re going to have to tell her.” Her whisper was probably loud enough for Molly to hear.
    I shook my head. “Me? You’re the one who told her to buy some new used old clothes.”
    â€œOkay, okay.”
    We left our hiding place to face the music. Emmy and Molly were still glued to their spots, standing by Pinky’s counter. They kept their eyes peeled on us as we walked toward them.
    Pinky pointed at a menu. “Emmy, if you want to sit down at the counter here and read over all the coffee and drink specials we offer, that’d be great. Cami and Molly and I are going to get started in Curio Finds.”
    Emmy didn’t ask any questions. She nodded, sat down, picked up a menu, and minded her own business. Or pretended to, at least. Pinky led the way, followed by Molly then me. She marched to the storeroom in the back of my shop. When we were all inside, I closed the door.
    Molly’s lips quivered, and it seemed tears would closely follow. “Am I in trouble already?” she said.
    â€œNo,” I said.
    â€œNot really,” Pinky said.
    â€œNot really?” Molly said.
    Pinky put her hand to her nose. “It’s your outfit. I mean, have you been storing it since high school in mothballs?”
    Now that we were in a confined space with the door closed, the odor was strong and distinctive. Molly lifted her arm to her nose and inhaled deeply. “I don’t have a very good sense of smell. Like I pretty much can’t smell at all. I found this sweater and pants at the thrift store. There wasn’t a lot in my size, and they were trying to close up for the day, so I didn’t have enough time to shop.”
    â€œMolly, I’m sorry, this really isn’t what I meant. I should have been more specific. Those old V-neck sweaters are supposed to be worn over a shirt, not without one. I know a lot of women wear low-cut tops, but it would be too much for our customers. If you bent over, we’d see everything. Even with that purple bandana thing tied around your neck,” Pinky said.
    â€œAnd, no offense, but the way you are stuffed into those gold metallic pants, I don’t think you could bend over if you tried,” I added.
    Tears filled Molly’s eyes then ran down her cheeks. “I was just trying to fit in. I mean, Pinky, you’re always wearing pink, so I thought the turquoise top would be a good complement.”
    Pinky looked at the wall behind me and pointed. “Cami, what about that outfit? The one you keep here, in case?” Molly and I turned and assessed the outfit Pinky was talking about: a pair of gray pants, a pale gray button-down shirt, and a wool shrug. “You two are about the same size.”
    Molly looked at me. “I’m a couple of inches shorter, so the pants will be too long.” Her voice bordered on whining, and I tried my best not to feel irritated.
    â€œCami, what if you put on the gray outfit and give Molly the one