He tried to hide his cringe.If he couldn’t get it at Wal-Mart or Home Depot, he didn’t need it.He kept that to himself and held his hand out for her to lead the way.
“How much stuff are you getting?Do we need my truck?”
She made a cute face at him.“Haha.I’m not buying furniture.Although I’d love to get a new couch.”
He’d love to be able to afford to buy her new furniture.“Maybe when I pass my level two test and get my raise, I can get you that couch.”
She planted her hands on her hips and shook her curls.“Well, I’ve assisted you in studying for that exam, so that would be great.”
They took her car, and she drove.At the first stop, she steered him straight to a shoe store.“You said you needed work boots.Can you get any kind, or is there a specific brand you prefer?”
“I really like the Wolverine or Timberland brand.They have to be steel-toed and support my ankles.They aren’t cheap, but if they’re built right, I can use them for a while.”
They walked around the store, and Mercedes checked out the work boots, too.Thankfully, they had a pair of what he liked in his size.After trying them on, he stuck them back in the box and searched for Mercedes.She sat in the next row trying on a pair of boots.
“You need work boots?Are you ready to take that construction job now that you know all about the machinery and equipment?”he teased.
“Maybe I will.”Holding out her foot, she nodded.“These aren’t steel-toed, but I bet they’d be great to walk in this winter when the sidewalks are all slushy with snow.”
He checked out the boots.They were softer than what he had and a rim of plaid flannel surrounded the cuff.He’d get laughed off the jobsite if he ever wore something like that.She, on the other hand, looked adorable.
“I like them.You should get them and wear them when you help me fix stuff in our apartment.”
She lifted her head, her eyes wide and excited.“Yes.That’s exactly what I could use them for.Thank you, Evan.I certainly didn’t need an excuse to get them, but I like that you gave me a good one.I think I’m all set with shoes for now.Did you need anything else?”
He found some thick socks that would be great for the cold days and brought those up to the counter as well.Mercedes had her purchase rung up first, then waited for him by the door, her eyes glancing over a rack of shoes there.
“Where to next?”he asked.
She seemed distracted, and he followed her gaze.Several groups of children, dressed in Halloween costumes, paraded along the corridor of the mall.They skipped into the stores and appeared again after a few moments, giddy with the amount of candy they’d gotten from the store workers.
“Aren’t they adorable?”
He thought she was adorable.“Sure.Especially that creature in the black cape and skeleton mask.”
She rolled her eyes.“Do you like kids?I don’t think we’ve ever talked about that before.”
There had never been a reason to talk about it.“Yeah, I guess.I’m not really around them much, so I don’t have experience with children.I don’t dislike them.What about you?”
She tipped her head.“Do I like kids, or do I want to have kids?”
Why had she added the question about having kids?Should he ignore it?No.He’d see if it went anywhere.“Either.Carli and Blake want kids.”
“I know.It was one of the things that broke them up.Carli asked Blake if he was willing to take a chance that they’d have deaf children if they got married.Stupidly, he paused before answering.”
Anger rose inside him, and all the good thoughts he’d had about his brother-in-law petered out.Mercedes patted his arm soothingly.
“Don’t get all hot and bothered.The question kind of blindsided him, and he wasn’t ready for it.He finally realized he wants Carli regardless of any hearing issues their children might have.”
Would he have that problem with anyone he wanted to marry?“Would you be bothered if your children were deaf?”
Mercedes threw him a beautiful smile.“Me?I speak fluent ASL.My best friend speaks fluent ASL and so does her entire family.Having a deaf child wouldn’t even be an issue.”
Even though he wasn’t ready to propose to Mercedes at this point, he felt better having her say it.It made him feel they could move forward in their relationship.
They walked through more of the mall, and he found he didn’t hate it quite as much as he’d thought he would.He still didn’t like shopping, but he really liked being with this wonderful woman and her vibrant personality.She chatted about so many different topics that he had a hard time keeping up with her, but he didn’t care.He could watch her all day and never get bored.
He picked out two pairs of jeans at the Levi’s store, and Mercedes talked him into a new shirt, one that he couldn’t wear to work like a t-shirt or a flannel.Apparently, light blue color really accentuated his eyes.He didn’t care, but he loved that she did.
