“You're forgiven.” She lifted an eyebrow. Just save some energy for tonight.”
Frankie grinned wickedly. “I can't wait!”
“First things first,” she replied as she opened the car door.
“Yes,” Frankie agreed as she stepped out of the car.
They walked slowly to the entrance of Kramer Insurance Company and casually entered. An attractive redhead greeted them from behind a long counter. She was seated behind a large desk and rose as they neared.
“How can I help you?” she asked brightly with a toothy smile as she walked to the counter.
Frankie returned her smile. “My sister and I are in the process of opening our first business and would like to speak with an agent.”
“How exciting! I'm sure we'll be able to take care of all of your insurance needs. Are you looking for personal as well as business insurance?” she asked.
Frankie's eyebrows knitted together. “Maybe, but our first priority is to protect our business.”
Johanna took the opportunity to glance around while Frankie engaged the receptionist in a conversation about the different types of insurance plans available. Thatcher had to be in one of the offices. She shifted her gaze to the large plate glass window at the entrance. His car was still in the parking space in front of the office. There was no way he could leave without them seeing him unless he exited through the back. She assumed parking in the back of the building was for employees only. Most of the businesses in the strip malls were set up that way. She turned her attention to a long hall with several office doors. He had to be in one of them. She hoped he'd emerge with the blonde before they were summoned into one of the offices.
“Let me see if one of our agents can help you.” The receptionist picked up a phone as she reseated herself in her comfortable looking chair. Minutes later, she turned her attention back to them. “I'm sorry, but I don't have an agent available at the moment. If you'll leave your name and number, one of our agents will call you tomorrow to set up an appointment. And of course, you can apply online. Our website is set up to do everything an agent does here.”
Frankie frowned. “We were hoping to talk to someone in person tonight. We have day appointments all day long for the next couple of weeks and won't be available.” She looked at Johanna and then back to the receptionist. “We chose Kramer Insurance because of your evening hours. We don't want to apply online or we would have done that. We have questions and need a live person to answer them.” She sighed dejectedly. “We were hoping to keep our business local, but I suppose if we go online we may as well check out some other companies.”
Johanna shrugged. “Then that's what we'll have to do.”
“This is a disappointment,” Frankie said looking at Johanna. “Thank you,” she said, slightly turning her head in the direction of the receptionist before starting toward the entrance.
“Wait. Let me see what I can do.” The receptionist stood, walked briskly to the end of the counter, and slipped through a door that connected to the hall containing the offices. She stopped at a door halfway down the hall, tapped on the door and then entered.
“I wish Thatcher would show his face before she comes back,” Johanna said a few minutes later as she kept her eyes glued to the hall.
“It won't matter if the blonde isn't with him,” Frankie replied as she turned. She looked toward the window. “His car's still parked, so he didn't sneak out the back.”
“Here she comes now,” Johanna said.
Frankie turned back around and waited as the receptionist hurried back to where they stood.
“If you can wait another ten or fifteen minutes, an agent will be happy to assist you with all of your insurance needs.” She smiled confidently.
Johanna hadn't realized she'd been holding her breath and now silently blew it out, relieved. “That will be fine. We'll wait.”
“Please make yourselves comfortable.” The redhead motioned them to the opposite side of the room where a small waiting area consisting of four comfortable looking chairs surrounded a table filled with magazines.
Frankie sifted through the pile of magazines but didn't choose one. She sat in one of the chairs that faced the reception area.
Johanna picked up a magazine and seated herself next to Frankie. She held the magazine in front of their faces pretending to share an article with Frankie. “I hope the agent doesn't come out before Thatcher does,” she whispered.
Frankie leaned back in her chair, glancing at the article. “If he does, we'll try to stall him for a few minutes.” She paused. “I know. One of us can pretend to have left something in the car. That'll buy us a little more time,” she whispered back.
“Sounds like a plan. I'll go to the car and take my time until Thatcher comes out. If the blonde leaves with him, I'll come back in and we'll make up an excuse about possibly knowing her. Hopefully, the receptionist will give up her name.”
“You'll think of a way to trick her into it,” Frankie said with a grin.
“I'll do anything to find out her connection to him.”
Frankie shifted in her chair. “I'll be happy to strip off these clothes and get into something more comfortable,” she grumbled.
Johanna shook her head. “If only you knew how fantastic you look, Frankie.”
Frankie rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “No one can compare to you, babe.” She lifted a suggestive eyebrow. “I'm looking forward to whatever you have planned for tonight.”
“It'll be well worth it,” Johanna promised. “Guaranteed.”
Voices coming from the direction of the hallway caused their eyes to move in that direction. Seconds later, Thatcher and the blonde strolled to the counter and bid the receptionist good night.
“What the hell! He's not even trying to hide it,” Frankie said in hushed tones as Thatcher's hand gently squeezed the blonde's arm.
Frankie frowned as
