Free A Celtic Knot by Ana Corman Page B

women nestled in one chair together. She headed for the coffee-shop counter illuminated with a shamrock beaded light set.
    “Welcome to Cocoa Cream. What can I get for you?”
    “Actually, I’m looking for Catherine O’Grady. Do you know where I can find her?”
    Summer pointed through the coffee shop. “That area over there inundated with lighted shamrocks is the customer-service desk. You should find her there. If not, Laura or Dana will know where she is.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Can I get you something to drink first?”
    “Let me say hello to Catherine and then I promise to be back for a mocha frappuccino.”
    “Sounds great.”
    Crystal stepped in beside Summer and reached into the glass display case for a cranberry scone. She followed Summer’s gaze. “Who was that gorgeous woman?”
    “I don’t know, but she’s looking for Catherine. Why don’t beautiful women like that come looking for me?”
    Crystal laughed as she slipped the scone into a brown paper bag. “Because you still haven’t learned to stop drooling at the sight of a gorgeous lesbian.”
    Summer scowled as the next customer stepped up to the counter.
    Olivia made her way through the bustling coffee shop and entered the two-tier bookstore. She was in awe of it its sheer size and feeling of warmth as she admired the shamrock garland and wreaths adorning all the banisters around the store. She saw people gathered in several areas of comfortable chairs and couches arranged together in cozy sitting areas. Olivia headed for the customer-service desk and smiled at the bright green St. Patrick’s Day banner draped across the front of the desk. Huge green paper shamrocks hung from the lights above the counter. A tall auburn-haired woman behind the counter hung up the telephone and turned to her. “Hello. Welcome to Cocoa Cream. How can I help you?”
    “I was looking for Catherine O’Grady.”
    “She just stepped into our storage room. May I tell her who’s looking for her?”
    “Please. I’m Olivia Carrington.”
    The woman’s eyes narrowed dangerously as she folded her arms across her abdomen. “Ah, the big mean doctor who’s upset my best friend more than once.”
    Olivia was taken aback. She glanced at the nametag. “I believe Catherine and I have sorted things out, Laura.”
    “Catherine and I are very close, Dr. Carrington, and I don’t enjoy seeing her upset. You best remember that. However, it did mean a lot to her that she had a chance to talk to you throughout the week. She seems to think you could be a good friend to her. You have yet to prove yourself to me.”
    “You obviously love her very much, Laura. I’m just beginning to get to know her but I can tell you that she’s someone that I’d like to get to know better. As a friend.”
    Laura nodded toward the single pink rose Olivia was carrying. “Do you always give roses to your friends?”
    “Not always.”
    They stood for a moment looking at each other.
    “Okay. Why don’t you browse around the store and I’ll tell Catherine you’re here.”
    “Thank you. And Laura, I really do care for her. Can you allow me that?”
    Laura stepped around the counter and stood beside Olivia. “I love her, Olivia. She’s been through so much with her parents and in her personal life. I want her to be happy. What she wants right now from you is friendship. Just promise me you’ll listen to her, and not push her in a direction she isn’t ready for.”
    “Promise granted.”
    “Okay. I’ll go find her.”
    Laura walked through to the back of the bookstore and into the large storage room. Catherine was gingerly stretching on her tiptoes to set a stack of Patricia Cornwell paperbacks on a high shelf. She blew a strand of hair out of her eyes and tucked it behind her ear, then turned when she heard Laura walking toward her. They shared a warm smile. “Do you need me, Laura?”
    “No, but it seems that Dr. Olivia Carrington would like to see you.”
    Catherine was startled.