Tabitha pointed to a display on the counter next to the register. Delicately wrapped items were arranged on a tiered stand, carefully labeled to show what they were. Charlotte noted the variety of treats including oatmeal bars, chocolate chip cookies, chess bars, brownies, and trail mix.
“Well, if your husband and the other firemen won’t mind, I may have to try some of the treats before we leave,” Ben said smoothly.
“They’ll get over it, believe me,” Tabitha said dryly just as a child's voice called for Mommy from somewhere at the back of the store.
“Excuse me. That’s my daughter. I’ll just check in on her while you browse.”
“How does she know we won’t shoplift something?” Charlotte murmured more to herself, but Ben was close enough to hear her.
He nudged Charlotte’s arm to get her attention and then pointed to a dome light fixture in the corner where the ceiling met the wall. “Security cameras. She has them posted all over, and I’m guessing she can monitor everything going on from the back area.”
“You noticed that?” She hadn’t seen the dome until he showed her, and yet he’d already picked out every spot in the store being watched.
His lips turned up in a slight smile which sparkled in his eyes. “I notice a lot of things.”
Charlotte swallowed nervously. “So, uh, is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”
He seemed to carefully consider her question as his smile changed into a flirtatious grin. “Well, some time alone with you for starters. Anything else is just a bonus.”
If any other man had pulled out a line like that, she would have rolled her eyes. Coming from Ben, the words were intimate, and butterflies dipped in her stomach. She turned away and spotted the children’s section.
“Do you want to check out the children’s books? You said you're an uncle, didn’t you?”
“Yep, to two awesome nephews, but I don’t have the first clue about picking out a book for them.”
“I don’t either, but between the two of us, we can figure it out.”
“I’m up for the challenge if you are. Lead the way.”
Charlotte was more aware of things that she’d never given consideration before. With Ben behind her, she was anxious about how she walked. Her steps seemed heavy, her posture slouchy, and her strides too short, requiring him to adjust his own to keep from bumping into her. Her oversized tunic over simple black leggings was meant for comfort and not style while he looked good enough to eat in his jeans and bomber jacker. Her face was make-up free, her hair unwashed and straight. He was clean shaven, his hair windblown enough to be sexy and not messy.
Her insecurity had her wondering why he wanted to spend time with her. He could choose someone prettier and more confident, but here he was standing next to her among the aisles of bookshelves.
She shoved her negative thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. “How old are your nephews?”
“Jax is five, and Dylan is a little over a year old. Jax is full of energy all the time and talks non-stop. Dylan is more relaxed, more serious, but way more curious than a kid his age needs to be.” Ben chuckled. “They’re so different, but they’re best friends, if you can believe it. I think Jax would clock anybody who tries to mess with his cousin.”
Charlotte felt a pang of envy at how Ben spoke of his nephews with such affection. She barely remembered feeling that kind of love in her life.
“You seem close to your family.” She scanned the book covers as she spoke, selecting one or two which caught her eye.
“I’d trust them with my life. We may not be the most conventional family, but it works for us.”
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Why do you say that?”
Instead of answering, he showed her his phone. The photo on the screen was of Ben with three other men around his age and size and an older man sporting white hair and a fit frame. Even smiling, they were a formidable group. Handsome, but intimidating. And that’s where the physical similarities between the men ended.
“My brothers and the man who essentially raised us. We took this on a bachelor trip before my brother Luke got married.” He pointed to the man with the icy blue eyes as he said Luke’s name.
“Since I don’t see any type of physical resemblance whatsoever, I’m guessing you’re adopted.”
“Not exactly. We were raised as brothers, but we never made it legal. Anyway, the guy in the middle. His name is English Barlowe, but we call him Gish. He took us in and raised us in his small studio apartment above the bar he owned.”
She raised a quizzical brow. “You lived above a bar? I see what you mean about unconventional.”
“Oh, yeah. I can’t imagine the State approving of someone keeping kids in a bar apartment now, but then, no one in our small town thought anything negative about it. Gish has this reputation for saving wayward boys in need of a home. Everyone calls usthe boyseven though we’re grown-ass adults.”
She chuckled. “Your Gish sounds like one of a kind.”
