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“What?” Luci asked.
“Nothing. You just look … nice.”
“It’s the boots, right?” Luci asked.
“Everything but the boots,” I said.
She looked at me for a second, before ducking her head. “Should I wear these or do you think they’ll give me a blister?”
I thought for a moment, noticing a wool socks display. “Let’s get you the right socks.”
“Good idea.”
I grabbed four pairs, all in a light gray that matched today’s sky. “Put these on.” I tossed a pair to Luci.
She leaned over to take her current socks off. “Don’t look at my toenails. They’re embarrassing.”
“What’s wrong with them?” I looked more closely. They were unpainted but cropped neatly.
“I didn’t have time for a pedicure before I came here, let alone the funds.” She took one of the wool socks and pulled it over her foot and up her shapely calf.
I swallowed at the sight of her creamy skin.
“Pedicures have gotten ridiculously expensive,” Luci said. “Everything has. I’m still reeling by how much I spent on the dress for the wedding.”
I would buy her a thousand dresses if I could.
Once she’d gotten the boots on, we walked to the counter with the box now holding her cowboy boots and the three pairs of socks, along with the tag for the ones on her feet.
Wayne met us up there, greeting us with a grunt that sounded like we were in trouble. He swiped the barcode on the boot box as well as the socks. The total was over three-hundred dollars.
I felt her stiffen beside me.
“Um, wow. That’s more than I realized,” Luci said, voice tight.
I pulled out my wallet, grabbing a credit card so fast she didn’t have time to react, and handed it to Wayne.
“No, Grant, that’s not necessary,” Luci said.
“I got it.”
“But it’s not right. You shouldn’t have to buy my boots.”
“Consider it an early Christmas gift. I can’t have you wandering around slipping and falling all month.”
She nodded, hanging her head. I could practically smell the defeat wafting from her.
A minute or so later, we headed back into the cold afternoon. She was quiet as we walked over to the Christmas mart.
“How do they feel?” I asked. “The boots.”
“Oh, they’re good. Thank you. Did I say thank you yet?”
“It’s my pleasure.”
A festive Christmas celebration was on full display in Pioneer Park. Garlands with white lights and a big red bow welcomed us. Strings of lights were strung between old-fashioned lamp posts. The gazebo, also decorated with lights, was Santa’s temporary workshop. Families, all bundled up, waited patiently in line for their turn, many sipping a hot beverage. We passed a cart selling kettle corn and sausages, scenting the air with their delicious smells.
“Gosh, that smells good,” Luci said.
