Skylar’s breath caught as she looked at the lamp, its polished brass base glowing beneath the store’s warm, golden lights. She grimaced at the price tag swinging from the brass switch, far more than she’d planned to spend, but the lamp’s delicate floral etchings and softly curved glass chimney was calling her name, but she had to get the dollhouse first. She couldn’t risk it selling out.
Maggie emerged from behind a mahogany display table. “Find anything good, Skylar?”
Skylar traced a fingertip along the lamp’s rim. “It’s beautiful,” she admitted softly. “But I have to lock down that dollhouse first. Christmas will be here before we know it.”
“Did you get the model number?” Maggie asked, tilting her head.
Skylar pulled out her phone and handed it over. “I snapped a photo.”
Maggie studied the screen, her eyes lighting up. “Oh, that one’s a bestseller. Your friend will love it.”
“She will,” Skylar agreed.
“Let me check the stock in back,” Maggie said, tapping at her tablet. “If we’re out, Vanna can order a new one, it’ll arrive in time.”
Skylar hesitated. “And assembly? Will I have to do it myself?”
Maggie sighed with a knowing grin. “Yes. The instructions say some of the miniatures are tiny.”
Skylar bit her lower lip. “I don’t want to give her something she has to put together. I’ll just have to build it.”
“My fiancé did mine last Christmas,” Maggie confided with a laugh. “Rafe nearly pitched the whole thing across the room. We ended up spreading it over several nights, so he didn’t lose his mind.”
“Men,” Skylar teased, rolling her eyes.
“Exactly,” Maggie agreed. “But he finished it, piece by piece.”
Skylar chuckled. “Okay, if we have to order it, how long until delivery?”
“Just a few business days,” Maggie said, tapping her tablet again. “I’ll confirm and be right back.”
“Thank you,” Skylar said as Maggie retreated to the back.
Alone, Skylar ran her hand over the lamp’s glass, its smooth surface bringing back memories of her grandmother’s identical piece on the parlor mantel. She’d never been allowed to touch it.
Vanna drifted over. “That’s a beautiful lamp, isn’t it?”
Skylar glanced at here. “It’s just like my grandmother’s, only hers was painted a soft cream. I was always told not to mess with it.”
Vanna chuckled, her fingers hovering near the lamp’s base. “I have my grandmother’s version in pink. It casts the prettiest glow at dusk.”
Skylar imagined it. “That must be lovely.”
Maggie returned, clipboard in hand. “Skylar, we’re out of the dollhouse, but I’ve placed an order.”
“That’s fine,” Skylar said. “Should I pay now?”
Maggie waved her hand. “No need. If you change your mind, you can cancel, but I’ll keep it on hold. It sells out fast.”
Skylar grinned. “Perfect. Let’s do it.”
After one more glance at the lamp, she walked out of the shop to see the sky darkening, then she heard a rumble of thunder in the distance. She hoped they had a downpour so it would cool it down, but she hoped it would hold off until she got home.
As she walked along the sidewalk, she looked over at the courthouse and wondered if Rawley was in there or out on a job. She’d love to see him, but she knew he was so busy. With a sigh, she walked to where her SUV was parked, pressed the key fob, then climbed inside and drove home.
Before getting out of town, she saw a pickup truck following her, so she made another turn, and it did too. Were they following her? After making another turn, she sighed when they drove on.
“You’re going to drive yourself crazy. Those men have probably left town by now.”
