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"It’s up on the right," Howard said, head down over his phone as three girls in skirts too short and heels too tall passed the the other way "It’s about tiirls drawled "Did you see her black eye?"
Oh, yeah I forgot about that Giving her hair a fluff, she lifted her chin It is what it is
Howard’s pace slowed as they entered the cae RVs were spaced haphazardly under old trees A nuolf carts parked in front Others had tents with alfresco eating more lavish than most restaurants offered inside There was a per by the number of places available to tie theure
"There," he said, exhaling in relief, and Peri followed his pointing finger to one of theJACQUARD EQUINES A blond woe area, her laptop and tablet open and in use An overdone silk derby hat crowned by a veil and an enornolia blossom rested on the table beside an untouched julep, unnoticed as she talked on her glass phone But it was the multiple dishes on the roof of the RV that captured Peri’s attention This was the alliance? She’d been expecting so security This felt like ho the as she ca blond hair, which had been mussed by the hat Peri eyed her low-heeled sandals in approval--stylish but still good to run in Her dress wasto accentuate her feh to keep her fro "money" nonetheless It was clearly a cultivated look, both elegant and in charge
"Hi, can I help you?" she said with a slight drawl, phone call ending as her gaze ran over Peri before returning to Howard And then her eyes widened "Oh My Gawd! Howard!" she exclai "I haven’t seen you sincein surprise when she yanked hi Her hair shifted to show a butterfly tattoo, and then she pushed back, beaedyou?"
"Great! I work for one of the big hospitals planning their events I’ up all my vacation days to help my mom out on this, but God help her, she needed it How about you? You got your license, right? I bet you’re why my mom is in such a state Lord love a duck, you know better than to bother her when she’s fund-raising"
"Yeah About that" Flushed, Howard dropped back, his eyes darting to Peri to include her "Taf, I’d like you to meet Peri Reed Peri, this is Taf Jacquard Wefor her MRS degree How ree, as in Mrs… Peri took the woman’s hand, surprised at how fir hi events coordinator, which means I can plan one hell of a party for six or sixty thousand Nice to meet you It’s Taffeta, actually, but callher smile to stay undimmed as Taf checked out her scuffed boots, wrinkled slacks, and ugly coat At least she didn’t say anything about her black eye
"Is yourus I think"
"Sure Come on up and sit down," Taf said, and then louder to the aide hovering near the cabana, "Find out where , and Taf barked, "Then text her! The worafted to her ass" All s to drink? Itin fro to craet here"
Peri eyed the cabana in anticipation, but before they could hed at the sound of hoofbeats "Speak of the devil and she will appear," she said, a tired resolve in her voice Peri caught a flash of irritation on the young woone
"Hoo … boy" Howard backed up when an arch-necked, light-blond h-stepped into the campsite "I really don’t like horses"
"Then you ca spot," Taf said as two men in stable livery came out from behind the RV to take the ani lot, and Peri refused to retreat as the horse shied "I’ve never seen a horse that color before," she said, thinking it had almost a metallic sheen
Taf eased up beside her, so close Peri could sold I think she spent more on it than on my entire education"
"She’s our contact!" Peri blurted, eyeing the woht caught the diamond-encrusted broach of a horse head, and her short, blond hair was bound up under a s derby hat She looked like a politician’s ith too h to do But then Peri spotted the securitycrept into her, curling around twice before settling into the pit of her soul like a bad dog