Overheard at Chipperfields' ... Part LXIV ...

"I see you're branching out," observed J--, as he stood in front of the counter waiting for his tea to be prepared.

"Pardon?" asked Ross, as he stood in front of the cooler.

"The hand bags you've got hanging up around back of the counter there," said J--, with a broad smile, motion with his hand over the counter area to the product aisle behind, "You starting a Bling Bling line or something?"

"Huh?" pressed Ross, looking confused.

"You know," said J--, his smile broadening, "Hand Bags by Ross, the rural pimp ..."

"Oh, not that again," groaned Ross, "I thought we'd left the purple hat and suit jacket fiasco behind."

"Never," said J-- with a laugh, "that was too funny to just forget about it."

"Not for Dani," observed JayDee, as she slid J--'s tea across the counter.

"What does that mean?" asked Ross with a gulp, looking distressed.

"Well, you remember the rancher?" said JayDee her eyes widening slightly, "and the whole thing I had to do to get rid of him?"

Both men nodded their heads as she continued. As JayDee spoke, Bonnie walked up from the back room and stood alongside Ross saying nothing.

"Well, the rumour in town is that Dani kissed The Rev," said JayDee quietly, "and someone told Dani's husband and he's really upset about it."

"He's upset about something that never happened?" said Ross.

"Or at least never happened to Dani?" chuckled J--.

JayDee glared at J--, "It's NOT funny." she stated drily, "Dani's husband has been really upset since it happened."

"But it didn't happen," said J-- laughing.

"We know it didn't happen," said JayDee, "but it did happen."

"Yeah but it was YOU, who laid one on The Rev to get rid of the rancher," observed Ross.

"I KNOW," groaned JayDee clearly exasperated, "you don't have to remind me. MY HUSBAND, won't let me forget it either."

"So, let me get this straight," said J--, struggling not to laugh, "both you and Dani are in hot water because you kissed The Rev to save your bacon?"

"That would pretty much be it," said JayDee flatly, her eyes drilling into J--.

"Any word on how The Rev's wife has taken the news that he's married to someone else?" asked J--, still smiling.

Both JayDee and Ross shook their heads.

"Maybe The Rev needs to make himself scarce around these parts for awhile," observed J--, with a broad smile, "or he might have some hubby's gunning for him."

"We could ask him to stay a way for a week or so," said Ross.

"How would that be?" asked J--, "the poor guy would go through wicked caffeine withdrawal."

"We could arrange for home delivery," offered Ross hopefully.

"Home delivery?" marvelled J--, "How would you do home delivery for The Rev?"

"JayDee could drop it off when she goes home for lunch?" said Ross innocently.

JayDee's eyes widened and J-- burst out laughing.

"Ross!!" sputtered Bonnie in a voice bordering on a shriek, "THAT wouldn't help a damned thing ... it would only make things worse."

"How?" asked Ross, clearly bewildered.