“She sold out,” Ida said, waving to me from several tables down. “Everyone wanted her biscuits.”
I scowled.
“Or did you want a different kind?” Ida smiled craftily. “You know, I’m selling various sex toys to enhance the experience.” She pulled fuzzy handcuffs and some sort of leash from the large bag on her shoulder.
“I have no need for those.”
“What I wouldn’t give for a man with that kind of drive and staying power.” She sighed. “Once you get to be my age, you really have to work hard to keep him engaged. Bert, bless him, but his mind wanders; I really have to do a lot to keep him focused. I did a whole puppet show the other night.”
“That sounds horrifying,” I said, slowly backing away.
“Did you score?” Remy asked hopefully when I returned to the Rural Trust booth.
“No. She wasn’t even there. Instead, I had to listen to the perils of sex in your seventies.”
Remy shrugged. “You just have to keep trying. It’s a small town. You’ll see her around.”
* * *
It was lateby the time we wrapped up the maker fair.
“The Harrogate newspaper has already declared it a success. Sadie’s food is trending on Twitter,” Ellis said.
“Hunter said no electronics,” I reminded him, taking my phone back. I stared at the picture.
There was an excessive amount of comments about how people wanted to test her biscuits and butter them and smother them in all sorts of fluids. I was filled with a frighteningly hot sense of possessiveness.
Cool it. You barely know her.But I wanted her.
“Ellis and Billy will help clear out,” Remy told me. “You should go out. It’s Saturday night! You can’t just stay inside all day and work. It’s not healthy. You need some human interaction.”
“I have enough with all of you.”
“Real human interaction, not with heathens.”
“We’re sorry,” Ellis whined.
“You’re not going to be sorry until this place is spotless. Go on, Parker.”
I drove down into town. I thought about just continuing to drive back to my office. I had work to do. But it was lively. Part of the street was closed off, and a live band played. I parked and strolled around. People were still hyped from the maker fair and had gone out for dinner and drinks right after shopping and browsing.
I was searching the faces absently until I realized I was looking for Sadie. She probably wasn’t out. She had to have woken up early. She was probably at home, which was where I should be.
My phone buzzed.
Remy:Don’t come back yet! Have a drink!
Parker:Fine.
Remy:I want a receipt and a picture. Otherwise I’m putting snakes in your bed.
I walked into the closest bar. It was dark, with a metal troll guarding the doorway.
Let’s get this over with.
The bar was crowded. I scanned, looking for the most efficient way to get the bartender’s attention. Then I saw Sadie, her brilliant-pink dress bright against the darkness of the bar. I was drawn to her. She smiled and waved. I started heading straight to her just as another man cut into my line of sight and took her hand, kissing it.
What the fuck?
