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“He shared that with me as well,” Raven said.
Pearl looked her up and down again. “I have an appointment to make. Alberta, make sure that waistcoat for my son is ready for him to wear to the Captain’s Ball. I’ll stop by next week to see if it’s done.”
“Certainly, Mrs. Franklin.”
Pearl said to Braxton, “Welcome home, Braxton. Please let me know when you and your father are free for dinner. I’d very much like to meet his intended. Let’s go, Lottie.”
“Just a moment, Mama. Raven, my friends and I will be at the African House tomorrow afternoon. I’d love for you to come and meet everyone.”
Raven looked to Brax. “It’s up to you,” he replied. “I’ll be here working. Being with Lottie will keep you from being bored.”
“I promised Kate I’d help her do some shopping,” she said to Lottie. “If we get done, I’d like to meet your friends. What time?”
“Two o’clock.”
“Okay.”
Mrs. Franklin said impatiently, “We’re going to be late, Charlotte.”
“I’m ready now.”
Pearl sailed out with her daughter on her heels.
Once she was gone, Raven said, “If Pearl thinks Mama will put up with her rude, condescending behavior, she’s going to end up with her eyebrows snatched off.”
Hattie said, “Bertie and I would pay to see that.”
“Definitely.”
After promising to return to the shop soon so that Hattie could put the final touches on the gown, Raven said goodbye to the Clemons sisters.
“Are you hungry?” Brax asked her once they were outside.
“So, you purchased that silk for me?”
“Should I have not?” Brax asked. He was still simmering from Pearl Franklin’s rude conduct and if he never had to see her again, he’d be fine.How someone as sweet-natured as Lottie could be the daughter of such a nasty shrew had been asked numerous times by many.
“I’m trying to decide.”
“You once told me you never had pretty dresses.”
“That didn’t mean I wanted you to buy me any.”
“And that’s why I bought the silk. I get the impression that you rarely ask for anything for yourself, Raven, and I want to shower you with gifts because of that. You deserve nice things.”
They were standing outside his shop and the Clemons sisters were in the doorway watching and listening as if he and Raven were on stage. “We have an audience.”
Bertie said, “Don’t mind us. Continue. You were saying she deserved nice things. And he’s right, Raven.”
Brax shook his head and steered Raven into the diner next door. “Let’s let Shirley feed us and we can discuss this while we eat.”
“Who’s Shirley?”
“Charley Shirley, the owner.”
Once inside, Brax picked out a table near the back. The few other tables up-front in the small place were occupied. “That you, Brax? Where’s your hair?”
The question was posed by the owner. Brax sighed. He was getting tired of the question. “Thought I’d try something different.”
