“Genius idea, thank you.”
On Thursday, he stopped into the shop and bought a few more outfits for Shayna. Andy was napping that time, and she was busy with a new business owner who wanted to commission a design from her. It would go on T-shirts for his employees. That took precedence, so she wasn’t able to chat with Brogan long, but he and Renee drew every eye with their laughter.
Nearly every evening, he sent her a photo of the sunset, and a few times she sent him pics of the sunrise. There was one she especially loved that showed Andy standing very still in the yard, silhouetted by the dawn as he stared at two deer near the water line. That image had earned a lot of praise from Brogan.
Andy had even helped to inspire a new design when he’d looked at the pic with her, then lifted his hands and asked, “Baby?” as he so often did.
“I agree,” she said, loving the idea that popped into her head. “We need Shayna in the pic.” That night, after Andy had fallen asleep, she’d stayed up late to fashion the image into a T-shirt design showing both kids as dark silhouettes—Andy sitting, Shayna on her tummy—staring out at beautiful Firefly Lake as a colorful background. It was perfect and she couldn’t wait to show Brogan.
And Marlow, of course. She liked the design enough that she’d save it for the shop, assuming Marlow was interested, and Pixie knew she would be.
On Friday, he sent a pic of Shayna blowing spit bubbles—presumably for Andy—and they both loved it, so she texted back one of Andy with an enormous grin.
On Saturday, which should have been her day off, Pixie ended up opening the shop. It was Renee’s turn to open, but her mother had come down with a bad cold, so Renee needed to make alternate plans for her kids. Her husband had gone off to fish, but he was coming back. That would take a few hours. By noon, Pixie and Andy would be heading home. She’d have more than enough time to fix a wonderful meal.
Never before had she anticipated seeing anyone this much. She was in deep and she knew it.
She just didn’t know what to do about it.
CHAPTER7
Saturdays were always busy, but this day seemed more so. Thankfully, Andy was in an extra good mood and didn’t seem to mind that it took her a little longer than usual to get him new toys and answer his questions. Some of the people who came through were friends, and they took turns giving him attention.
She had just finished ringing up the last person in line. Finally, she had a free moment, but she knew it wouldn’t last. She desperately needed a bathroom break, and she’d love to grab a cold bottle of water, but she went to Andy instead to see if his diaper needed to be changed or if he needed anything.
There were still several people in the shop browsing, so she kept an eye on them, too, as she gave Andy some animal crackers and a cup of juice.
“Is he yours?” someone asked from behind her.
Pixie straightened and nearly bumped into the woman who loomed close to peer at Andy. She wasn’t unattractive, yet she had a hard edge to her, visible in her stare and the pinch of her mouth. Probably late fifties, with short, mussed light brown hair highlighted with gray. She was a thin woman, her shoulders rigid, the flesh of her throat tight with antagonism, as if she barely restrained herself.
Cautiously, Pixie moved away from Andy. “May I help you?”
“I’m looking for Pixie Nolan.” Heavy frown lines showed between her brows as she sent an insulting glance over Pixie. “Was told she’d be here with her kid.”
The words were innocuous enough, yet Pixie had a very bad vibe from her. “Who told you I was here?”
“Don’t know. Doesn’t matter.” Impatience leeched into her tone. “Someone in town.”
“You were asking around about me?”
The woman leaned against the counter, blocking another customer who appeared ready to get in line. “Settle down, honey.” Her smirk was far from a smile. “I don’t know you, but I was told you were renting to Brogan.”
Pixie held herself absolutely still. She said nothing, merely stared back at the woman. Usually, her protective nature was roused only for Andy, but now it came out in full force for Brogan.
“Well?” the woman snapped.
“I don’t own any rental property, ma’am.” Pixie kept her tone annoyingly polite. “Excuse me. You’re blocking a customer.”
The woman behind her gratefully stepped forward and put several things on the counter.
“Hey. I wasn’t done.” The stranger aggressively shoved things aside before planting both palms on the counter and leaning in. “I’m looking for Brogan Rafferty, and I think you know where he is.”
“If you’re looking for him, I assume you know him?”
“I know the bastard better than I want to.”
The casually slung insult hit Pixie like a slap. “You will not use that language in this shop.”
