Page 33 of The One You Want

For some reason, that thought didn’t sit well withme.

“Okay,” I called out, cutting through the crowd. “Grant needs to get his cart back before someone complains he’s blocking thesidewalk.”

He shot me a grateful look and began to babble, edging away from the girls. “Yes, that’s right. My cart is…out there. In the way. Don’t, uh, want to block the sidewalk.” Of course we’d made sure that the cart was safely tucked up right against the building before we came in, but Grant wasn’t going to let that stop him from seizing on my excuse. “Really need to get back. Nice to meet you,ladies.”

“Remember what I said about the free haircut,” Sherry called after him. “I can trim that beard up for you, too.Anytime.”

I pushed on his shoulder, urging him to the back of the room, ignoring the happy sighs of the women behind me as they watched him go. When we got to the front of the store, he held up his hands insurrender.

“Okay, you were obviously totally right and I should have listened to you. I will not make that mistakeagain.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, eyes narrowed. “Damn right. And my cats are evil warlords—just accept that truth rightnow.”

He nodded rapidly. “I believe you. Whatever yousay.”

I grinned. “Thanks for the help, Grant.Really.”

He still looked a little shaky but he smiled at me, a real smile, the kind that made his chocolate brown eyes crinkle up at the corners. “Anytime,Jenny.”

My stomach dipped in a strange way but before I could even question myself as to why, the front door to Libby’s shop banged open, revealing Margaret Munson, a teacher over at the island school. She looked frazzled, her usually impeccable hair coming loose from its braid, her face red. She was carrying a huge stack of books in her hands, and when she saw me, her face litup.

“Jenny. You’re just the person I wanted tosee.”

That stopped me short. Margaret was good friends with the currently traveling Posey, who used to teach at the school with her, so I saw her around with the girls, but I didn’t think we’d ever said more than five words to eachother.

“One second,” I told her, turning back to Grant. “You should really get out of here before they realize you’re still around and come after you. I wouldn’t put it past Jill to sniff out your aftershave to hunt youdown.”

His eyes widened and he backed away. “Okay. I’ll come by later to help with theboxes.”

I waved him off. “It’s fine. I’ll get some of the girls to carry abox.”

He looked like he wanted to argue but then his eyes flickered back to the curtain, behind which all the women of the Libbies were waiting, and apprehension filled his face. “Okay,” he agreed. “Just leave whatever you can’t carry and I can pick it uptomorrow.”

He really was too sweet. I would have to be careful not to let the other girls know that, or they’d really never leave him alone. “Thanks.”

His still worried expression suddenly smoothed out, replaced by that smile that once again had my belly swooping. “Good luck tonight. You’re going to do great.” Then he gave me a quick wave and ducked through thedoor.