Page 33 of Perfect Harmony

“Well, I’m very glad you chose this one, Arianna,”Wanda said. “I appreciate your help.”

“Like, of course. Cancer is so bad,”Arianna said. “Whatever I can do to make a difference. You’re still cool withme doing just a small video for my followers at the dinner, right?”

“Yes,” Wanda said.

“And you’re still on for the interview for myfollowers where you’ll mention about how, like, amazing I am at volunteering?”

“Yes, sweetie. We’ll do the interview afterthe fundraiser.” Wanda handed a glass of lemonade to Grace. “Here, Gracie.”

“Thank you, Wanda.”

“You’re welcome. Now, Warren, I know you’vemet her at the clinic, but, ladies, have you met Emsley? She just moved here twomonths ago all the way from Wyoming. She’s the new funeral director over atHarmony Falls Funeral Home.”

“Oh my God, you, like, touch dead people?”Arianna’s face turned a shade of green that Grace didn’t think was previouslypossible.

“Every day,” the slender brunette said witha grin. She took a handful of pretzels and her grin widened as she stared atArianna. “Don’t worry, I wash my hands after. Mostly.”

“Oh my God,” Arianna put a hand over hermouth and Rayna elbowed her.

“She’s kidding, Arianna. Hi, I’m Rayna.”

“Nice to meet you,” Emsley said.

“Grace.” Grace waved at Emsley. “Welcometo Harmony Falls.”

“Thanks.” Emsley popped some pretzels intoher mouth as Wanda smiled at them.

“Okay, so we’re just waiting on two morepeople… oh, there we go.” She hurried out of the dining room when the doorbellrang.

“So,” Emsley eyed Arianna over the table, “you’rea makeup expert, huh?”

“Yes,” Arianna said. “I have my makeup artistrycertification.”

“I’m looking for someone with your skills,”Emsley said.

“Why?” Arianna stared at her inpuzzlement. “No one but dead people see you all day and they don’t care if you’rewearing makeup. Plus, your skin is amazing… although,” she eyed Emsley’s face,“we could totally even your skin out with a little foundation. Just to, like,give you a bit of a dewier look.”

“I’m looking for a makeup artist for myclientele,” Emsley said.

Arianna glanced at Rayna and Grace. Herconfusion was clear on her face. “But your clients are dead.”

“She means that funeral homes often hirehair and makeup artists for the viewings,” Rayna said. “Families don’t like tosee their loved ones looking so…”

“Dead,” Emsley said.

Grace choked down a laugh and Emsley grinnedat her as Arianna stared wide-eyed at the funeral director. “Wait, you want meto do the makeup for the dead people? Like, touch them and stuff?”

“Yup,” Emsley said. “The previous artist quitand, between you and me, she wasn’t the greatest at her job anyway. She had atendency to make all the women look like hookers. High end hookers, buthookers.”

This time Grace couldn’t hold back herlaughter and neither could Rayna nor Warren. Arianna leaned forward. “I can’ttouch dead people.”

“Why not?” Emsley said.

“Because they’re dead. What if they, like…”

“What if they what?” Emsley arched aneyebrow at her. “I promise they’ll be your most well-behaved clients.” Shereached into her pocket, produced a business card, and handed it to Arianna. “Justcall me if you’re interested. It’s easy money.”

Wanda returned and Grace wasn’t sure how itwas possible, but her heart both simultaneously sunk to her knees and lodged inher throat. Following behind Wanda was Gideon, looking as goddamn sexy as everin a pair of jeans and a green Hemsley that hugged his flat abdomen.

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