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“I think I better step in before we are both embarrassed.”
Claudia looked at him and realized she was right this was a man who as used to laughing and right now he was laughing at her. Her temper came back in full force, and she crossed her hands over her chest and then tapped her foot.
“Well then explain to me why a grown man comes into a baby registry and then buys the items you do?”
“Despite how you may see me I have nieces and nephews. My family is very prolific to say the least. As for the women’s designs, I’m doing something very special with those. I don’t suppose you want to go out with me and find out what that something is do you?”
Claudia stood open mouthed from his response and when she felt her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water, she took a step back and then turned to go into the storage room in the back. The storage room was cool to make sure her yarns didn’t get frazzled in the California heat and to make sure no insects came into the cool room. Of course, it didn’t protect against small animals but for now it was enough. She just needed a place where she could cool down the unexpected heat from the customers.
Claudia was sure the man meant nothing by the exchange. It was probably part of his everyday exchange with women. It wasn’t her; he was just acting. The truth of the matter was she had plenty of experience designing clothes for a larger woman. For the longest she had been that large woman in her old relationship. Now she turned those fashions and made them in for women who had just had children, but not that long ago they had been her everyday clothes. No, the stranger was not interested in her at all.
Men like him didn't fall for women like her. When they did fall for women like her, it usually meant nothing good for the woman. As far as Claudia was concerned, she had been there and done that and she wasn't going there again.
Whisper and Smoke had been lifesavers. Every day she took those dogs out for a mile and a half walk. They didn't criticize her, they didn't tell her to hurry up, and most of all they loved her unconditionally.
The truth of it was that it was just her in Whisper who did the mile and a half walk. Whisper was some part German shepherd. He was a large dog with a powerful gait and at first glance some people might have even thought he was vicious. After about 3 seconds though, everybody would know the truth. Whisper was everybody's friend.
Smoke, on the other hand, was a different thing altogether. Smoke was a miniature schnauzer and very protective of Whisper. No one knew exactly how old smoke was, but what they did know was that smoke would take care of Whisper no matter what. Claudia usually carried a bag on her shoulder. When smoke got tired, she would pick him up and place him in her bag and continue the walk with whisper.
It was those morning walks that cleared her mind and helped her to slim down. She still had some days when she could hear her ex-Larry’s voice in her head. Claudia heard the silent swish of the door, and knew Jillian was at the doorway.
“Jillian can you please ring that man up?”
Jillian cleared her throat, so Claudia had to look up.
“Hmm... You look a bit flushed to me. You know I don’t care how big he is, I’ll take him. No one comes in here and insults you,” Jillian promised.
Claudia reached out her hand and touched Jillian hoping to calm her down.
“He didn’t insult me,” Claudia whispered.
Jillian’s whole demeanor changed from avenging angel to match maker in the wings.
“Well, if the young man hasn’t offended you then that flush on your cheeks means he’s been able to do something no one in town has been able to do. He’s put a bit of color in your cheeks.”
Claudia hated her fair skin and freckles. No doubt the heat of the blush made her freckles stand out even more.
“I’m sure he was just messing around like he probably does with every woman he meets,” Claudia said.
“Well, I don’t know what he does or doesn’t do with other women, but I know that I’ve been able to tell you where he’s most likely going to be around 11:00 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays and that is something I’m pretty sure he can’t be doing for all of the other women in town.”
“For a man like that, I'm just something shiny that's caught his attention for the moment,” Claudia said.
“Sometimes a piece of gold has to catch your eye so that you can pick it up and know what it's worth,” Jillian replied.
“Are you trying to say that you think I need to be with someone now?”
Jillian put Claudia's hands between her own, and then pull them both close to her chest.
“I'm not saying you need a man, Claudia. I'm saying you need to make sure you're not deliberately avoiding them either. If you never find happiness, he's won, just as sure as if you had stayed with him.”
Claudia had no response. What made it worse was she had already heard something similar for the last six months from her friends.
“He’s a complete stranger, Jillian.”
“Well, in my book that just means you have a hope of keeping this thing, whatever it is or isn’t, a little quiet before the whole town finds out.”
Claudia thought about what the man had said, and then she began to squirm a little. She pulled her hand back and then just sighed.
