Without waiting for a response, Maddie linked arms with me and strode for the store. Considering that the only way I traveled anymore was to waddle, I was grateful Maddie didn't use her long legs to outpace me. When we entered the store, a saleswoman accosted us, which didn't surprise me, but the lack of customers did.
Anna came up beside us, hand extended. "Thank you for seeing us on rather short notice, Harper."
The platinum blonde showed her perfect teeth in a wide smile. "Anything for my best client, Mrs. Keller."
Anna gave a tittering laugh. "This is Kinsley, and this is Madalyn."
“It’s just Maddie.”
I discovered a few things then. One, Maddie had an excellent bitch brow. Two, neither of us liked Anna in the slightest, and three, Harper was a hideously judgmental woman.
"Ah, yes, the . . . mother-to-be." Obviously finding me lacking, she returned her attention to Anna.
Laughing, Anna said, "Oh, and soon to be Mrs. Gallagher. We'll need to see your nursery furniture first, Harper."
With another disparaging glance at me, Harper click-clacked across the tiled showroom in her ridiculous icepick heels.
"She and Burke have a long-standing arrangement," Anna whispered as she fell into step beside me. I had a feeling she wasn't talking about home furnishings, and my cheeks heated. "But, now that you’re here, I'm sure he's nipped that in the bud, so to speak."
Taking pity, I suppose, Maddie grabbed my hand to slow me down. "We don't have to do this," she murmured as Anna caught up to Harper.
Through my dreaded tears, I smiled. "I need to furnish the nursery, and the bed in my new room is truly awful."
Maddie returned the smile. "Sweetie, I'm serious. Say the word, and I'll get us out of here."
Closing my eyes, I contemplated running and giving the bitches the upper hand. "I'll stick it out for now, but I'm done being nice."
"Thatta girl."
When we found the other two, they were looking at a crib while Harper extolled its virtues.
"I have a crib," I interrupted them.
Anna frowned. "Nonsense, Kinsley, you'll need a matching set with the changing table and dresser."
"No, I won't. Besides, I don't like this color."
Harper propped her hands on her hips. "What's wrong with it?"
Carefully, I enunciated each word. "I don't like it."
Walking away, I moved along the other baby furniture. If I was going to spend Burke’s money, I might as well enjoy myself. "I'll take this." I pointed. "And that."
"I don't—"
"I didn't ask your opinion," I interrupted Harper, leaving her gaping. Tapping my chin, I eyed the bedroom sets. "That one, the whole thing, including the lamps and rugs. Have it delivered this afternoon." I turned to Maddie. "This is boring."
"Then let's go."
She and I headed for the doors, Anna racing to keep up with us. "Wait! Kinsley!"
Ignoring her, I made my way to the vehicle, surprising the guard—or was he a driver? Either way, he hastened to open the doors for the three of us.
"What's next?"
Next was a high-end department store, though the guard wasn't happy he couldn't clear the entire building out ahead of time. Finding a store clerk, I outlined what I wanted. When we came to an understanding about delivery times, I led her around the store.
"These curtains, please." The woman scribbled it down, and I continued. "This bedding, these towels, and this bathroom set."
