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Ugh. I complied, only to save us from causing a scene.
Garrett knelt in front of me, and like I was a small child, pushed on the end of my boots to find where my toes were. I felt myself blush, knowing that he’d caught on.
“Acedia, we can easily find a pair that will fit you properly,” his deep voice rumbled out.
I felt embarrassed, his almost fatherly tone stern and brooking no room for argument. After I sat again, he unlaced the shoes and easily found another pair for me to try on. These ones were more expensive looking than the first pair. They had the addition of swirling patterns tooled onto the leather and the tops were bright red. They had strips of leather looped through the back that you wrapped around and tied.
“Oh no, I don’t need anything this fancy,” I pleaded. “I really don’t want new shoes. I just want to leave.”
“Try them on, Acedia.”
“They look expensive.”
“Let us worry about what we can afford.”
The minute my foot slid into them I knew they were a fit.
“Walk around a bit,” he encouraged.
After I’d walked down an aisle and back, he once again knelt and checked the toes. “Do they feel comfortable?”
“Yes, but I’m sure we could find some that are not as fancy.”
“Acedia, what did I say? You let us worry about the cost. You can wear them now if you’d like. They actually look cute with your dress.”
The man could read me like a book. “Thank you, Garrett.”
He ushered me toward the far side of the store. “Now, you are about to get your first lesson in haggling. Never pay what is first suggested. Watch closely. It’s important that you know how our system of bartering works.”
Bo and Garrett were speaking with a woman who stood behind a long counter, assumably the owner of the store. Huck gifted me with a warm smile and held out his hand for me. I eagerly took it.
“Wait?” Huck frowned. “Where are the clothes you picked out?”
“Huh?” I played off.
The woman greeted me with a kind smile. “You must be Acedia,” the woman said. “Can I help you with any of our specialty items? Soaps? Perfumes? Your men here seem ready to spoil you.”
“No, no, thank you.”
“You sure? They said you just moved in and needed many items.”
“They are acting like doting husbands, but I actually don’t need—”
“Ha! I knew it!” She slapped the counter. “I could tell you all were in love the moment she walked in. All eyes were on her.
“What?” I whispered. Did she say love?
“I’m so happy for you boys,” she continued on. “Especially you, Bo. It’s so nice to see you moving on after your loss. We all miss Melanie very much, but she’d want you to be happy.”
“So I keep hearing,” he replied low.
Huck’s chuckle broke the silence. “Alice, where are your husbands today?”
Just then, three men walked through the door, each one more rugged than the last. “Ah, here they are now. Acedia, this is Jack, John, and Jeremy—my husbands. Boys, this is Acedia. She’s married to our three most eligible bachelors. Isn’t that nice?” The clerk sighed. “She says they dote on her.” She wiped tears. “Doting husbands are the best.”
“What?” I nearly choked.
The new men took turns slapping backs and shaking hands. I waited for someone to correct the mistake, but none did. Rather, Garrett used the tip of his finger to shut my wide mouth. “Wife, you’ll catch flies.”
