right,
but next time, it’ll be on me.”
Next time.
Why did that warm him more than the coffee? He shifted in his seat. Some of
those stirrings were getting a little more than subtle. “It’s a deal. Can I
give you a lift to your printer?” He dropped some bills on the table.
“I don’t
need a lift. Elaine’s is across the street, about a block down. No point in
driving.”
“May I walk
with you, Miss Eagan?”
She eyed his
leg. “You sure? It’s broad daylight. I don’t really need an escort.”
“Doc said
walking’s good for me. Sitting all day tightens things up.”
“In that
case, I’ll be happy to have your company.”
And she
smiled again, which tightened another part of him.
When Ashley
pushed open the door of a photography studio, Scott paused. “I thought we were
going to a printer.”
“We are.”
She pointed to a small sign in the window. “Elaine does simple print jobs. I
don’t think she likes to make a big deal of it. I got the feeling she thinks it
diminishes her standing as a photographer.”
“In this
economy, you do what it takes.” He held the door for Ashley.
“Chairs,
doors, buying me coffee, escorting me down the street. Did you come to Pine
Hills via a time machine?”
“Can’t help
it. My mama was brought up in Arkansas. She taught me and my brothers to
respect women. It’s ingrained. Not sure I can stop.”
“Some women
might be offended, you know. That you think they’re weak.”
“That’s
their problem. Nothing wrong with being polite.”
Inside,
Scott admired the photographs on the walls while Ashley spoke with whom he
assumed was Elaine. The woman seemed to be half-listening to Ashley, but her
eyes kept darting his way. At first he thought she was afraid he might be
harming her pictures, so he clasped his hands behind his back. When his weak arm
suggested another position would be more prudent, he shoved both hands into his
pockets. She smiled his way, but it wasn’t one of those “I hope you’ll buy
something” looks. Damn, it was the look he hadn’t seen since his days in
Traffic. The Please don’t give me a ticket and I’ll make it worth your while look. And it wasn’t cash they’d been offering.
He gave her
his best cop polite-but-stern smile in return.
Before
things went any further, the door opened and a woman strode in. She paused
before reaching the counter, then frowned and folded her arms across her chest.
Elaine
looked up. “Be right with you, Felicity.”
Ashley
turned and gave the woman a friendly smile. “Hi. We’re almost done.” Returning
her attention to Elaine, she tapped the piece of paper they’d been writing on. “I
think the ‘Free Cookie’ should be bold and centered below the shop name.
Otherwise, it’s perfect. I really appreciate the rush. I’ll be here tomorrow at
ten to pick them up.”
The other
woman stormed to the counter and snatched the paper. “Free cookies?” She
glowered at Ashley. “What are you trying to do? Put me out of business? I can’t
compete with free.”
Ashley’s
fists clenched at her side, but her expression didn’t change. Still, he could
see her trembling. He stepped toward the women, afraid things might escalate
into more than a verbal contest.
Ashley took
an audible breath. “Felicity, this is a short-term offer. And it’s one cookie for people who make purchases at the Book Worm. You run a tea shop. I
sell baked goods and coffee. We’re hardly in competition here. I think the town
can handle both of us.”
“We’ll see
about that. This is far from over.” Felicity threw the paper on the counter and
addressed Elaine. “If you’re helping this … this … newcomer, I’m sure I can
find someone else who’ll be happy to have my business.” She whirled and
barreled toward the door.
***
Ashley felt
Scott’s hand on her back. She took several deep breaths. “What just happened?”
“Does
she—Felicity?—have a history of going ballistic?” Scott
but next time, it’ll be on me.”
Next time.
Why did that warm him more than the coffee? He shifted in his seat. Some of
those stirrings were getting a little more than subtle. “It’s a deal. Can I
give you a lift to your printer?” He dropped some bills on the table.
“I don’t
need a lift. Elaine’s is across the street, about a block down. No point in
driving.”
“May I walk
with you, Miss Eagan?”
She eyed his
leg. “You sure? It’s broad daylight. I don’t really need an escort.”
“Doc said
walking’s good for me. Sitting all day tightens things up.”
“In that
case, I’ll be happy to have your company.”
And she
smiled again, which tightened another part of him.
When Ashley
pushed open the door of a photography studio, Scott paused. “I thought we were
going to a printer.”
“We are.”
She pointed to a small sign in the window. “Elaine does simple print jobs. I
don’t think she likes to make a big deal of it. I got the feeling she thinks it
diminishes her standing as a photographer.”
“In this
economy, you do what it takes.” He held the door for Ashley.
“Chairs,
doors, buying me coffee, escorting me down the street. Did you come to Pine
Hills via a time machine?”
“Can’t help
it. My mama was brought up in Arkansas. She taught me and my brothers to
respect women. It’s ingrained. Not sure I can stop.”
“Some women
might be offended, you know. That you think they’re weak.”
“That’s
their problem. Nothing wrong with being polite.”
Inside,
Scott admired the photographs on the walls while Ashley spoke with whom he
assumed was Elaine. The woman seemed to be half-listening to Ashley, but her
eyes kept darting his way. At first he thought she was afraid he might be
harming her pictures, so he clasped his hands behind his back. When his weak arm
suggested another position would be more prudent, he shoved both hands into his
pockets. She smiled his way, but it wasn’t one of those “I hope you’ll buy
something” looks. Damn, it was the look he hadn’t seen since his days in
Traffic. The Please don’t give me a ticket and I’ll make it worth your while look. And it wasn’t cash they’d been offering.
He gave her
his best cop polite-but-stern smile in return.
Before
things went any further, the door opened and a woman strode in. She paused
before reaching the counter, then frowned and folded her arms across her chest.
Elaine
looked up. “Be right with you, Felicity.”
Ashley
turned and gave the woman a friendly smile. “Hi. We’re almost done.” Returning
her attention to Elaine, she tapped the piece of paper they’d been writing on. “I
think the ‘Free Cookie’ should be bold and centered below the shop name.
Otherwise, it’s perfect. I really appreciate the rush. I’ll be here tomorrow at
ten to pick them up.”
The other
woman stormed to the counter and snatched the paper. “Free cookies?” She
glowered at Ashley. “What are you trying to do? Put me out of business? I can’t
compete with free.”
Ashley’s
fists clenched at her side, but her expression didn’t change. Still, he could
see her trembling. He stepped toward the women, afraid things might escalate
into more than a verbal contest.
Ashley took
an audible breath. “Felicity, this is a short-term offer. And it’s one cookie for people who make purchases at the Book Worm. You run a tea shop. I
sell baked goods and coffee. We’re hardly in competition here. I think the town
can handle both of us.”
“We’ll see
about that. This is far from over.” Felicity threw the paper on the counter and
addressed Elaine. “If you’re helping this … this … newcomer, I’m sure I can
find someone else who’ll be happy to have my business.” She whirled and
barreled toward the door.
***
Ashley felt
Scott’s hand on her back. She took several deep breaths. “What just happened?”
“Does
she—Felicity?—have a history of going ballistic?” Scott
Similar Books
