“I’m afraid so. Hopefully we should finish early tomorrow afternoon.”
“Okay. I’m going to go to the grocery store to buy me some lunch,” Hunter said, starting in that direction.
“No. I brought you lunch today, too, to thank you for helping with the tree. It’s in the fridge in the break room,” Sally said, feeling a little embarrassed suddenly.
“Well, thanks, Sally. That was thoughtful of you.” After a minute he added, “Of course, I shouldn’t accept such a gesture. It might mean we’re engaged.”
Sally knew that he was making fun of her and she couldn’t blame him, but she thought she might play along a little bit. Coolly she said, “It’s up to you, Hunter. It’s risky, I know, but you don’t have to tell anyone. Your lunch is in a separate sack with your name on it.” She walked ahead of him, not looking back.
He ran after her and grabbed her arm, turning her around to face him. “You know I’m teasing you, don’t you, Sally?”
“Yes, I do,” she said firmly, “but I think it was lowdown of you to do so when I was only trying to be nice.”
“That’s all that I was trying to do the other night,” Hunter said, again smiling mischievously at Sally.
“I know, but eating out is different. Everyone knows what you’re doing. This is just a packed lunch.”
“Okay, I’ll accept your lunch, Sally, with gratitude.” He looked at her, a stern look on his face, but his eyes were smiling.
Sally found herself smiling back as they walked into the store together, on good terms now. Hunter had been tempted to kiss her stubborn lips, but in the main street of Bailey, everyone would’ve seen. He didn’t think Sally would like that.
He, on the other hand, would’ve liked kissing her anywhere. He’d found a real hunger for her kisses. He planned on walking her home again tonight and maybe kissing her again. It was all he had been able to think about, up there on that ladder. He had to kiss her again.
With that on his mind, when he found they were alone in the break room he seized the moment and grabbed her and kissed her.
“Hunter! What are you—”
A gasp from the door had both of them turning around to see Ethel standing there, her mouth open. “I—I—” and she turned and ran back into the store.
“Oh, great,” Sally said. “That’s just what we need.”
“It doesn’t matter, Sally, don’t worry about it.”
“Yes, it does matter, Hunter. Now, for sure, the entire town is going to be talking about us and are sure to think I’m heartbroken when you leave. They will all be feeling sorry for me!”
“I’ll be feeling pretty sorry for me when I leave.” Hunter stared at her as she removed two sacks from the refrigerator.
“Here’s your lunch,” she said shortly and sat down at the table.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?”
“About what?”
“Me feeling sorry for myself when I leave. Don’t you have anything to say?”
“Five minutes back in Denver and your time here will seem like a dream, Hunter. I know you have a busy life there.”
“But I think I like it better here.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
SALLY concentrated on her lunch, not looking at Hunter. She figured he was hoping to leave at least one broken heart when he headed back to Denver, and she didn’t like the feeling that it would be hers.
“Sally, I’m being serious.”
“Sure you are, Hunter. And I’m Santa Claus.”
She still refused to meet his gaze. He finally opened his lunch sack and took out a sandwich. “Roast beef? Hey, that’s great!”
Smiling slightly, to acknowledge his appreciation, she continued to eat. She’d included some cookies, but he hadn’t found them yet. He got up to get both of them drinks, bringing a diet soda to her at the table.
“Thank you, Hunter.”
“At least you’re still talking to me.”
“Of course I’m talking to you, Hunter. When you have something sensible to say.”
“And you don’t think my preferring life here in Bailey to that in Denver is sensible?”
“I think you like to think that, but I don’t believe it’s true.”
“Why not? Don’t you prefer life here to life in Denver?”
“Yes, but I’ve lived here all my life. Denver wouldn’t suit me.”
“So, if a guy came along and you fell in love with him and wanted to marry him, but you’d have to move to Denver, you’d say no, just because you don’t want to leave Bailey?” He studied her as she composed her answer.
“I didn’t say that, but I’d have to think long and hard about it. That would mean giving up the store, my heritage from my parents, and abandoning a way of life that I love. I’d be leaving Penny on her own, without any family around. It would be a hard decision.”
“But you would consider it?” he asked curiously.
“I would consider it…but no, I don’t think I’d choose that way of life.”
“So what’s so odd about me choosing this way of life?”
“You don’t have any roots here. What would you do for a job? Work at my store?”
“Why not? I’ve done a good job, haven’t I?”
“You’ve done a great job, Hunter, but I can’t see you taking direction from me for the rest of your life.”
“But I think you’re the best boss I’ve ever worked for. You never make me feel small, or unimportant. You make me feel a part of the store’s success. That’s important.”
“I hope so. I try to behave as Dad and Mom taught me. But it’s very difficult doing all three of our jobs.”
“That’s why you need me.”
“I need someone—someone who wants to be a part of my life. Not someone to work in the store.”
They stared at each other and something passed between them, but just then Susie came in to the back room, breaking the spell.
“Oh, hi, Hunter! I didn’t know you were eating lunch now. Do you mind if I join you?”
Sally smiled ruefully and moved over so Susie could sit next to Hunter. For that, she received a dismissive smile.
“How do you like it here in Bailey, Hunter?” the girl asked, her eyes big as she stared at Hunter.
“I love it. Actually I don’t want to go back to Denver,” Hunter said, this time looking at Sally.
“Oh, no, you’re kidding! Denver is so exciting! I’d love to go to Denver.”
Since no conversation was required of Sally, she finished her sandwich quickly and left the table. She’d save her cookies until later. She went out into the store to see how Mary and Ethel were holding up. She sent Mary back to get her lunch and to supervise her child before Susie managed to force Hunter into a corner.
Ethel was delighted to welcome Sally to the floor and the two women chatted for a little while about the approaching Christmas Festival. Then Ethel moved away to greet a customer that had just entered the store.
Sally waited on an elderly gentleman and realized he was too embarrassed to ask for her help. She went to the break room door and asked Hunter if he could come help her for a moment. Hunter looked like she’d thrown a lifeline to him to escape a dangerous situation. She smiled, but simply said, “Mr Washington is shopping and could use your help.”
The man looked as relieved as Hunter had only a moment ago, and Sally moved on to the next customer. Susie emerged from the break room with red cheeks, as if her mother had given her a lecture, and began helping customers, too. Sally sent Ethel to have her lunch. As long as she and Hunter could take the time, it would be easier for the ladies to get their lunches eaten.
Twenty minutes later, Mary emerged and began helping customers. Sally signaled Hunter to join her when he finished with Mr Washington. A few minutes later, he appeared beside her. “Ready to go?”
“Yes, as long as you’re thawed out.”
“I am.” They walked together out the front door and returned to the task of decorating
the Christmas tree. Hunter decorated the top of the tree, and Sally worked on the middle branches. Hunter had less space to cover, but he had to move the ladder and come back down for each large ornament. Sally had to stretch up on her toes to hang the ornaments, but at least she didn’t have to keep climbing up and down the ladder.
After several hours, they only had the bottom part of the tree to deal with. “I think we can finish before lunch tomorrow because you’ve been so efficient, Hunter.”
“Really? That’s great, Sally.”
“Yes, you’re really good at putting up decorations. You must’ve done it a lot at your grandfather’s stores.”
“Yeah. One year I was part of the maintenance crew who put up the decorations.”
“Did you enjoy it?”
“Yeah. I even got to use my creativity, designing some of the decorations.”
“When I was younger, I argued with Dad about always using the same old decorations. But he explained that buying new decorations would be difficult. That’s why Mom and I decided to make our own.”
Hunter laughed. “We’ve had a lot of the same experiences, haven’t we?”
“Somewhat, but yours have been on a larger scale.”
“That makes it less personal, Sally, I promise.”
“I guess. Well, if you want to go home for the day, you’ve earned it, Hunter. You worked hard.”
“I’d rather come back to the store with you.”
“Why? Don’t you want to put your feet up?”
“No, I’m fine. I’ll come back with you. You might have another customer embarrassed to buy underwear from you.”
“Is that what he wanted? How silly! But after he asked twice about a male salesperson, I didn’t want to push him.”
“Probably wise. He was greatly relieved when I appeared on the scene,” Hunter said with a laugh.
“As you were when I called you away from Susie?”
“Damn, that girl has no shame. She keeps asking me if I want to sleep with her.”
Sally stared at him. “What?”
“Yeah. She’s afraid I’ll get bored with no woman to sleep with while I’m in town, so she thought she’d volunteer.”
“Her mother would be horrified!”
“Not according to Susie. She said she’s quite experienced, sleeping with her boyfriend all the time. But she said he’d understand if she sleeps with me because, after all, I’m a Denver man.”
“Oh, heavens, her mother would just die!”
“Are you sure she doesn’t know?”
“I’m sure. I’ve heard her talk about how—how pure her daughter is. Such a good girl.”
“Well, either she’s a brazen liar, or her mother is mistaken.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Better compose yourself before we go in the store.”
“Yes,” Sally said, drawing a deep breath. Then she pasted on a smile. “How’s this?”
“Perfect,” he told her with a smile. Then he bent over and kissed her.
“Hunter!”
“I couldn’t resist. You looked so cute.”
“You’re misbehaving as badly as Susie!”
“No! Surely not?”
“Go find some male customers to help.”
“Yes, ma’am, boss lady,” he teased as they entered the store.
Sally watched him walk across the store to the men’s department and offer to help one of the customers. She couldn’t hold back a smile at his teasing. His kisses were becoming quite addictive, too. All the more reason to avoid them.
Mary came rushing up to Sally. “Sally, I want you to know that I talked to Susie. She won’t be chasing after Hunter anymore. I told her he was your man, and she should leave him alone.”
Sally blinked several times. “Thank you, Mary, but that’s not necessary. Hunter and I are friends, but he’s going back to Denver on Christmas Eve.” It seemed that the gossip was starting already and Sally steeled herself. It would only get worse when Hunter left.
“Maybe Hunter doesn’t think that way,” Mary said, smiling at Sally.
“I promise you, Mary, he does.”
“Oh, well, keep your chin up, Sally. Maybe someone else just as nice will come along.”
With a calm smile, Sally moved away, but inside she was muttering, “I’m going to kill Hunter Bedford!”
She went to the break room and got a soft drink to give herself time to compose herself. She hadn’t expected anything from Hunter, but she hadn’t asked to be consoled by the town, either.
Sitting there at the break table, drinking her cola, she tried to think of a way to appear undisturbed by Hunter’s leaving. It would take a monumental acting job on her part. Because the truth was she was going to be heartbroken.
She sniffed, wishing she wasn’t, but she didn’t want to be alone again. Even more than that, she wanted a man who could share her life. Like Hunter.
“Don’t be stupid,” she muttered to herself.
“Who are you talking to?” Susie asked.
Sally heard the anger in her voice, but she wasn’t going to say anything. “To myself. I’ve got some tough decisions to make about the store.”
“Why? Are you thinking of selling up?”
“No, not at all. But I have to decide on some orders right away.”
“Oh, that!” Susie said, dismissing Sally’s concern as though it was nothing.
“I think my concern is real, Susie. After all, the store is my livelihood.”
“Yeah, but other things are more important. Are you and Hunter serious about each other?”
“No, of course not!” Sally realized, too late, that Hunter would’ve preferred that she pretend to protect him from Susie’s attention, but it was too late now.
“Oh. ’Cause Mom thought you were. She didn’t want me to compete against you.”
“I’m almost ten years older than you, Susie. I think I can manage on my own, without your mom’s protection.”
“Oh, yeah? Have you slept with him yet? That’s how you get a guy, not by smiling at him.”
Sally sighed and shook her head at the young girl’s naïveté. “No, Susie, I haven’t slept with him yet. Nor do I intend to. We’re friends, that’s all.”
“Right,” Susie said sarcastically.
“Are you already taking your break, Susie? I thought you just finished your lunch,” Sally asked, suddenly angry at Susie’s sheer cheek.
“I just wanted to get the lay of the land, so to speak. I’ll go back to work now,” she said with a smarmy smirk on her face.
Sally groaned and put her head in her hands. She knew that sleeping with Hunter wouldn’t guarantee he stayed. But Sally wished she could think of another way of talking him into staying. After he went back to Denver, she’d have her life in ruins.
Taking a deep breath, she got up and went back into the store to help with the many shoppers.
Hunter started clearing the dressing rooms in the men’s department at a quarter until eight. He was tired and ready to call it a night. He felt sure Sally felt the same. And she didn’t even have to put up with Susie’s pursuit. He wasn’t sure why the girl was flirting with him again, but she’d been going nonstop since they’d come in from working on the tree.
There were still a number of shoppers in the store. But he was relieved when Sally told Mary and Susie they could collect their belongings and go home. As soon as Ethel finished with her customer, Sally released her, also.
Susie came out of the break room and crossed over to the men’s department. Hunter almost groaned as the girl approached him.
“Hunter, want to come over?” she asked with a wink.
“No, thanks, Susie. I’m pretty tired tonight.”
“Time is running out, Hunter. You won’t be here much longer.”
“True. But not tonight, Susie.”
“Fine! I offered!”
“Yes, you certainly did,” he said and gave her a direct look, figuring she couldn’t mistake his rejection.<
br />
She stuck her nose in the air and turned to walk to the front door where her mother was waiting for her.
Hunter looked for Sally and noticed she had a customer who was still shopping. He went to the counter and took out some boxes, so he could help Sally with the purchases the woman was making.
Sally brought the woman to the cash register and while ringing her up, Sally began directing Hunter about the boxing of the gifts. “Did you want us to gift-wrap these purchases?” Hunter asked the lady.
“No, I’ll wrap them when I get home, but I do appreciate the boxes.”
“We’re glad to provide them. Thanks, Hunter,” Sally said, smiling at him.
The woman looked at Hunter also. “I think it’s nice you are helping Sally out in the store, young man. This season has been a little difficult for her.”
“I think she’s doing a fine job, ma’am,” Hunter said solemnly.
“Well, yes, of course! But, you know, it’s just been hard.”
“Yes, ma’am, I do,” Hunter assured her with a smile.
“Well, thanks for staying open late, Sally. I’m glad to get all my shopping done.”
“It’s all right, Carol.” Sally followed the lady and unlocked the door and held it open. “Good night.”
When she locked the front door and pulled down the shades, she smiled wearily at Hunter. “Did Susie come after you again?”
“Yeah. Do you know why?”
“I think that might be my fault. When she asked me if we were serious, I answered without thinking. I told her no.”
“Damn it, Sally, couldn’t you have said something else? Now I’ll never get rid of her.”
“I’m sorry, Hunter, but I’m not going to lie to protect you!”
Hunter looked at Sally, serious for a moment. “Are you sure it would be a lie, Sally?”
“Don’t start that silliness again, Hunter. You know it would. You don’t intend to stay here. And I don’t want to deal with everyone’s sadness for me when you leave.”
“Yeah,” he seemingly agreed, looking around the store. “Okay, let’s go home,” he said, as if they were going to the same home.
Sally paused for a moment at his words. Home. With Hunter. The idea made her insides tingle as she thought about what that might be like. What would it be like to close the store every night and walk the short distance home holding Hunter’s hand? They would make dinner together and then sit at the table, discussing the day’s events. But that was never going to happen, because Hunter was leaving for Denver and Sally would be alone again. She sighed and met Hunter’s gaze. “Certainly, it’s been a long day.”
Snowbound with Mr. Right Page 9
