Needle and Dread Read Online Free

fingerprint that is uniquely your own.”
    Minnie removed her foot from the machine’s pedal and leaned forward. “I’m not sure I could embroider my fingerprint . . .”
    â€œIt’s not an
actual
fingerprint,” Lucinda said, leaning around her own machine to address Minnie. “It’s just—”
    â€œGood heavens, you call yourself a seamstress?” Without giving Minnie a chance to answer, Opal snappedher fingers at Miranda. “You—with the freckles! Short of handing this woman a free pass to my upcoming exhibit on the elusive Lily Belle, surely
you
of all people can explain the concept of a signature to her, can’t you? I’ve had more than my fill of ineptness for the day. And
you
”—Opal’s eyes widened on Tori—“I called for the young man. Where is he?”
    â€œCharles is attending to other things at the moment, Ms. Goodwin, but I’m happy to help with whatever you need.”
    â€œWhat things are more pressing than one’s customers?” Opal spat. “I tell you, when I get back home, I will be writing a review of this awful little shop and its utterly useless staff!”
    All chatter ceased as every eye in the room came to rest on Opal first and then, finally, Tori.
    â€œIf you’d just tell me what it is you need, Ms. Goodwin, I’ll take care of it.” She heard the pathetically pleading tone to her voice and hated herself for it. But, as she’d reminded herself many times already that morning when dealing with this particular guest, today was about Rose and the realization of a lifelong dream Tori had only recently come to know.
    â€œYou’ll take care of it?” Opal sniped. “Okay, fine. I want a full refund for everything. And I do mean
everything
—this pathetic project, the cost of my meals for the weekend, my gas to and from my home to the tour’s departure point, my hotel for tonight, and anything I might choose to purchase while I’m in this godforsaken town.”
    Tori felt herself draw back against the weight of the woman’s unrealistic demands. But before she couldformulate a response, Leona vacated her spot beside Travis and made her way around the center workstation Milo had helped erect in preparation for the event. “Ms. Goodwin, is there a problem?”
    â€œAnd
you
are?” Opal inquired, widening her death glare to include an impeccably dressed Leona.
    â€œI believe the question, Ms. Goodwin, is
who are you
?”
    The eyes that had fixed themselves on Tori only moments earlier now collectively moved to the doorway, with Tori’s following suit . . .
    Rose
.
    With purpose to her shuffling feet, Rose flanked Leona, her bifocal-enlarged eyes dark with the kind of anger usually reserved for Leona, herself.
    â€œRose,” Tori whispered. “I think maybe you should let Leona handle—”
    â€œI repeat my question, Ms. Goodwin,” Rose said through clenched teeth. “Who do you think you are?”
    Clearly miffed by the sudden absence of the same kid gloves she’d been handled with all morning, Opal opened and closed her mouth a few times before pounding her fist atop the table. “Doesn’t anyone know the meaning of customer service anymore? Why, in my day, the customer was always right and they were treated with dignity and the utmost respect—neither of which I have been shown by anyone connected to this—this
awful
little shop.”
    Leona reared back to answer but stopped as Rose put out a hand and maintained control. “It still
is
that way, Ms. Goodwin. That is why your every whim has been placated, your every complaint addressed, and your mind-blowing rudeness overlooked since the moment youshoved your way off the bus. But when your rudeness crosses into abusive, you no longer have my respect.”
    A trio of snaps just over Tori’s shoulder was followed by Charles’s