Oh, good grief.She’d forgotten all about Marlow.
“Sorry, yes.” She gave Brogan a “come on in” wave as she rushed back to the counter, picked up the phone, and said, “Brogan is here.”
“At the store?” Before Pixie could answer, Marlow said, “Don’t let him in yet. Let me say something to you first. I want you to have fun. You deserve that, Pixie, more than anyone I know. So go for it, okay?”
Horrified, because Brogan had followed her, she said, “Marlow—”
“But don’t take any chances until you know him better. Don’t be alone with him. Don’t—”
In a horrified whisper, she choked out, “You’re on speaker and he’s standing right here.”
With only a two-second pause, Marlow said, “Hello, Brogan.”
Amusement put a crooked grin on his face. “Good morning, Marlow. I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“No, no, it’s fine. The store opens now anyway. There will be a crowd in no time at all.”
Proving he wasn’t the least bit fooled, he said, “Would you feel better if I stepped back out and Pixie relocked the door?”
“Of course not. Pixie is a great judge of character, and she’s told me only nice things about you.”
“Oh?” He propped a hip on the counter. “Such as?”
“You’re military, like my husband; you’re great with your niece; and you’ve bonded with Andy.”
He glanced at Pixie. “All that, huh?”
Embarrassment burned her cheeks. “She’s Cort’s wife, and you’re renting from him, so she was naturally curious …”
“I didn’t mean to share so much,” he said, his gaze still holding Pixie’s.
“No, I get it,” Marlow replied. “Cort doesn’t talk about themilitary much, either, but Pixie is one of those warm people you just feel comfortable with.”
“Marlow.”Much more of this and she’d perish from embarrassment.
Andy saved her by shouting, “Fend, fend, fend!” from the playpen. He held the top rail and jumped up and down.
“I need to go. Andy just spotted Brogan, and I do have customers now.” Two women had just come in, their interest in the new shirts obvious until they spotted Brogan. Now their attention was diverted. Pixie wasn’t at all surprised. Big and built as he was, he looked very incongruous in the small-town setting of the shop. The cute infant on his chest was just added appeal.
“Go take care of the squirt, don’t work too hard—and, Pixie, have fun!” Marlow disconnected without giving her a chance to protest that last order.
Brogan grinned at her. “I’ll talk to Andy while you take care of your customers.”
Unsure what else to do, Pixie nodded. “Okay, thanks.” Her son was used to waving to people who came in, but usually she had a clerk in the shop, too. Since she’d opened a few minutes early, her help hadn’t yet arrived.
The shoppers, who were in the area on vacation, ended up buying quite a bit. Shirts, hats, and a few souvenirs. Their plans were to see the small-town architecture and then go boating on the lake for the weekend.
They had just left when Renee arrived. The thirty-one-year-old part-time worker breezed in, saying, “You opened early!” She loudly slurped on a fountain drink as she headed to the counter, but came to a dead stop when she spotted Brogan. With the straw still in her mouth, she gawked.
At least I’m not the only one with that reaction.Pixie cleared her throat. “Renee, meet Brogan Rafferty. He’s renting the lakehouse for a few months. Brogan, this is Renee Colson. She works with me here in the shop.”
Brogan stepped forward with his hand extended. “Nice to meet you, Renee.”
She put her limp hand in his—and suddenly came alive again. “Good heavens, you’re a showstopper. What are you? Six and a half feet tall? And a baby? It’s like the prettiest bow on a really nice package.”
“Six-five,” Brogan corrected. “And … thank you?”
Renee grinned. “I’m terrible, I know. My husband, who’s the best, tells me so all the time. The good news is that I mostly manage to rein it in when I talk to my sons’ teachers. At least I hope I do. Itry.” She laughed. “I have a runaway mouth. Thoughts turn into speech before I can properly censor. Bet you noticed right off, huh?”
