Page 271 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“Probably because you were blasting that salsa music you love so much. At any rate, I would certainly appreciate it if you came the first time I called,” she snipped.

Louisa nodded. “What do you need?”

Brooke made a face. “What does it look like?” She motioned at the mound of dresses. “Help finding a dress for tonight. I’m going out with Sheldon, and I want to look perfect.” She trailed her fingers through her long hair as she stepped up to the mirror. “I need a second opinion.”

Gracie and Gertrude were standing off to the side, watching the scene unfold. Gracie’s hands went to her hips as she turned to Gertrude. “When you said you had something important to show me, I dropped what I was working on and came along.” She blew out a breath. “Now I’ll never get the report done in time to meet Stewart’s deadline.” She motioned toward Brooke. “You brought me here to see this? Really?”

Gertrude gave her a hard look. “First of all, your work for Stewart is secondary—a means to an end. Brooke is your assignment. She should be your primary concern.”

“Yes, I know, you’ve told me that a hundred times! But do I really need to witness her berating the poor maid? The poor woman must really need this job. Otherwise, she’d tell Brooke just where she could stick it!”

“Just watch.” She pushed her glasses up on her nose. “And be patient.”

Louisa reached for the blue dress. “This one would set off your eyes.”

Brooke crossed her arms over her chest. “You think so?”

“Absolutely.” Louisa smiled.

“No, I don’t like it. It’s too ordinary.”

Louisa nodded and then went into the walk-in closet. A minute later, she emerged, holding a shimmering gold dress. “How about this one?”

Brooke practically jerked it out of her hands and held it up for inspection. “You think so?”

“The gold will highlight your hair. And the short length will emphasize your legs.”

“Too bad you can’t give her something that will help with the rotten personality,” Gracie quipped.

Brooke held the dress up to her. “Yes, maybe you’re right. It does bring out my highlights.” She paused, studying her reflection in the mirror. “Do you think Sheldon will like it?”

At that point, Gracie was unable to hold it in a moment longer. She belted out a harsh laugh. “Oh, don’t you wish! Sheldon’s just using you to get back at me. He cares nothing for you!”

Before Gertrude could reprimand her, Brooke spun around, glaring at Louisa. “Were you laughing at me?”

Panic filled Louisa’s eyes as she stepped back, winding her hands in her apron. “No, ma’am. I would never laugh at you.”

Brooke scoped the room. “I distinctly heard laughter.”

Shock bolted through Gracie as she turned to Gertrude and whispered, “Did she hear me?”

Concern etched Gertrude’s features as she also whispered, “I don’t know. Say something else.”

“The gold dress makes your hair look brassy!” Gracie said loudly. “The only reason Louisa recommended it is because you’re so nasty that she can’t stand the sight of you!”

Brooke and Louisa continued as though nothing had happened. Relief washed over Gertrude. “I suppose it was nothing. She probably heard someone downstairs.”

“Yeah … probably,” Gracie said, but she got the feeling there was more to it than that.

“Okay,” Brooke said, “I’ll wear the gold dress. It’ll look great with my dangly gold earrings.”

“Yes,” Louisa agreed, “you’ll look beautiful.”

“I always look beautiful,” Brooke sniffed, tossing her hair.

Gracie was stunned. This was a new low, even for Brooke. “Did she really just say that?”

Gertrude’s lips vanished into a thin, hard line.

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