“If he can keep that douche-nozzle away from you then I’m all for it,” she hisses the words and I’m reminded of a kitten again.
With a giggle, I assure her, “I can handle Thad and his crap. But I am glad Rhodes was there.”
“Rhodes is a sexy name,” she hums. “And Rhodes Wilder?” She fans herself again and wiggles her eyebrows at me. “You have to admit it’s a damn good name. Don’t even get me started on the badge,” she teases.
I burst out laughing and she joins me. It has a bright feeling sparkling in the middle of my chest. I’ve missed this.
When we share a look, I can tell that she’s thinking the exact same thing as I am.
With a nod she sees the lampshades I’m after at the next booth and we head over. I want to do a little dance when I see quite a few that will be easy to strip and reuse. If I found some fabric around here, it’ll be the ultimate day at a sale like this.
But I learned doing a happy dance is not ideal when positioning to negotiate a long time ago. Even though some people took pity on me early on and still gave me good deals. Jessi’s eyes light up when she looks my way and I give her a small nod.
“It is a good name,” I tell her honestly while moving away from the lampshades but keeping an eye on them and not moving out of the area. “He lives up to it.”
Jessi presses her hand to her chest and dreamily breathes, “Swoon.”
“Honestly,” I grumble, “you have no idea.”
“Helen,” my sister pulls me to a stop and grips my shoulders. “You have got to stop living in the past.”
I arch an eyebrow at her because she has her own story when it comes to living in the past; one she refuses to talk about or acknowledge. I have the feeling it’ll catch up to her one way or another eventually. I’ll pop some popcorn when the time comes.
Unless she needs me to kick someone’s ass and then I’ll be there. With a shovel just in case.
Huh. Maybe my sister isn’t the only bloodthirsty one.
Jessi blushes and it’s acknowledgement enough. For now.
“I’m just saying. He’s a good man. What is stopping you from seeing where it goes?” She searches my face before nodding. “You can’t assume he’s going to cheat.”
I tip my head back and let out an annoyed little shriek. “I know,” I groan before looking at her again. “He did get my number when I saw him at Bunz Out.”
Her face lights up with excitement and I can tell she’s doing everything in her power to stop herself from jumping up and down. I totally understand the excitement.
Rhodes was both adorable and sexy as he asked for my number after Graycie skittered away. I swear the tops of his ears were a little pink and I kind of wanted to kiss his cheek.
I eye my sister and know she would find the thought sickening. And she would tease me relentlessly.
“I haven’t heard from him,” I admit.
“He’s the Sheriff,” she points out. “Not a deputy. The man has duties and shit. He asked for your number. I think this is a ‘trust the process’ kind of moment.” She taps her chin before arching an eyebrow in challenge. “Or it could be a ‘if he wanted to, he would’ situation. Still, I don’t think we should assume the worst considering he has been showing up already and may just be tied up with something job related, in this instance.”
“Yeah,” I agree even though it’s half-hearted at best, “I’m sure you’re right.”
“How many places did he just magically show up to?”
When I look at her, she’s giving me a wicked grin, and I can’t help but grin back. She doesn’t have to spell it out for me.
“You think he was looking for me? It wasn’t just a coincidence?”
The deadpan look she gives me is enough. Then her head cranes and her eyes widen. I already know what she’s going to say when she looks back at me, and I wave her off.
“Meet you in two hours at the front? Then we’ll regroup?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I tell her. “Go.”
I have some haggling to do for some lampshades and some fabric to meander around for. And I have some thinking to do. Getting lost in the rows of stalls and salvaged things next to refurbished pieces has always helped me find a sense of calm.
