Page 71 of A Texas Hero

He offered his hand and Archer shook it and introduced himself as Zoey’s co-worker.

“Anything in particular you’re looking for?”

“Something for my wife,” the man said, and pulled his gray English cap lower on his head. “I always shop ahead of time.”

“So, a Christmas gift?” Archer moved toward the counter with all the costume jewelry.

His eyes flashed on the necklace Zoey had held up for him when she mistook him for a customer. He’d been tongue-tied by her beauty and grace. Now he could talk to her but not much else had changed. She still took his breath away half the time.

“She has too much jewelry.” Roy Finch waved a hand. “I always get her a book, which she says isn’t all that romantic. This year I’m truly stumped.”

Normally, Archer would try to catch Zoey’s attention. But she was with another customer at the moment, holding up a sweater.

“It’s finally sweater weather!” he heard her squeal.

“Um, how about a sweater?” Archer pointed in that direction, hoping he could at least get him closer to Zoey.

“My wife runs hot.” He shook his head. “It never gets cold enough around here.”

Archer took him through the list of items in the store: dresses, pants, shoes, skirts. No dice.

“What about that?” Roy Finch pointed.

It was the small display Zoey had of lotions and perfumes. Archer avoided this part of the store since it was far in the back and no one had asked for his help in “smelling” them yet, thank God.

“Yeah, you can’t really go wrong with something that smells good,” Archer said, leading the way. “These seem to be popular.”

Before long, he discovered why this corner was so popular.

Everything smelled like Zoey.

As Mr. Finch picked up the samples and smelled each one, Archer figured out which one smelled like Zoey. Before he left, he would have to buy a bottle of this for himself. If he couldn’t take her with him, he’d take her scent. He read the name on the bottle: Fleurs dorées.

In the end, Mr. Finch decided on getting one of each and paid at the front with Zoey’s help.

“Lois is going to love this!” Zoey said, packaging it all with a neat bow. “Great choice.”

Mr. Finch hooked a thumb in Archer’s direction. “He helped. I’m hopeless with this stuff.”

Archer and Zoey exchanged a smile, but hers dropped within minutes. He turned and it didn’t take long for him to find out why.

Robin had walked inside the shop.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Zoey couldn’t believe her eyes. This woman wasted no time. Robin strutted her bad self right past Archer, waving to him in a quick greeting. In the process, she nearly mowed down poor Mr. Finch on his way out.

“Zoey!” Robin said, arms outstretched. “If you could fit me in, I’d appreciate it. I can come back later if this isn’t a good time.”

“Oh. I didn’t realize you were serious.”

“Of course I am! The timing is perfect, what with my being here already. We’re staying a couple more nights. I’d rather give you the business instead of some random company.”

She had a point. Zoey came around from behind the counter and appraised Robin’s lean, statuesque form. She could have done well on the Paris runways. It occurred to Zoey that Robin knew that, and instead she’d become a doctor. Not a bad choice for a woman to make. Mami always told Zoey that women should support each other in the choices they made. Childless by choice, mother, businesswoman, homemaker, they were all valid choices.

“Let me see what I can find. You’re a size ten?”

“Great guess! Or a nine on a day when I haven’t stopped to eat lunch.” She chuckled.