Edgar. Isn’t this a charming little place?” To Irish she said, “We’re passing through on our way from the Gulf coast and decided to take the scenic route. I’m so glad we did. It’s just beautiful around here, isn’t it, Edgar? We wanted to pick up a few snacks, and—Edgar! Look at this. Carved Indians. Life-size. Wouldn’t one of these be just precious by our pool? And look at the price. Why, it’s a steal.”
“Mmmm,” Edgar said, not glancing up from the row of snack crackers he was inspecting.
With Kyle nowhere in sight, Irish pasted on a bright smile and went into her retail mode. “Aren’t they wonderful? The sculptor is very gifted. Have you seen the animals outside? The eagles are fantastic, and there’s one bear that you should see. A delightful conversation piece that was just finished. We call him Vince. Come, let me show you.”
When Kyle finally got Pete settled down and made it back downstairs, Irish was at the door waving goodbye to an RV. “Sorry I took so long, but my grandfather needed some TLC. Who was in the RV?”
“Corrie and Edgar.”
“Wanting directions to Dallas?”
“Nope. They came in for snacks. I sold them a carton of soft drinks, two boxes of crackers, three jars of peanuts, two jelly rolls, two little pecan pies, two life-size Indians, an eagle and Vince. I made change for their traveler’s checks from the register. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind? You sold more in thirty minutes than I’ve sold in a week. They bought Vince?”
“Yep.”
“But his ear is missing.”
“That makes him even more charming. An original.”
Kyle chuckled and shook his head. “I hope that you gave them a discount.”
“Certainly not. I didn’t know exactly how much the bears were since none of them had a price tag, but I charged fifty dollars more than the Indian was marked.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope. Don’t worry. They can afford it, and Corrie is thrilled with her new pool and garden sculptures. And quite frankly, I think they’ll look cute in her backyard. She’ll have an excuse to have a party when she and Edgar get home, and the pieces are delightful conversation pieces. I told her exactly how they were made.”
Kyle fought back a laugh. “Do you know exactly how they’re made?”
Irish waved off his question. “They’re carved with a chain saw. I showed them your work area and improvised some on the parts I didn’t know. I told you that Corrie was thrilled.”
“What about Edgar?”
“Edgar didn’t say much, but he was fascinated with the rattler in the terrarium. He offered to buy the snake, but I figured it wasn’t for sale. Anyway, I didn’t know how much to charge or if it had been defanged.”
Kyle burst into laughter. “I’m glad you didn’t sell Sam. Pete would have a fit. The snake and the arrowheads are the bulk of his museum. And no, Sam hasn’t been defanged.”
Irish shuddered. “I’m glad that I didn’t try to fish him out. They came before I got dessert. Want to split a package of chocolate cupcakes?”
“Sure.” As Kyle watched Irish talk, he grew even more enchanted with her. Not only was she one hell of a gorgeous woman, but also she was a delight to be around. Animated, fun and totally unaffected, she was the antithesis of the Hollywood types that he had escaped. Given her years as a much photographed model, he was surprised by her down-to-earth behavior and forthright attitude. “You get the cupcakes, and I’ll fix the coffee. How do you like yours?”
“Black for me.”
In a few minutes he joined her at the table. A chocolate cupcake sat on a napkin at his place; its mate sat in front of her. “I hope you don’t mind instant,” he said. “The stuff in the pot was sludge.”
“Instant is fine.”
They ate in relative silence. When she’d finished the last bite, she licked the chocolate off her fingers and sighed. “I love junk food, especially chocolate. I had to deny myself for years. I’ve gained fifteen pounds since I left New York.”
“They’re well disguised. You seem very slender to me.”
“Thanks.” She grinned. “Want another cupcake?”
“Let’s go for it.”
She wasted no time in getting another and ripping open the package. She handed one to him and demolished the other one in a flash. After licking her fingers again, she held her mug with both hands and sipped her coffee. Her eyes glazed as she stared at a spot over his left shoulder, and a wrinkle appeared between her lovely eyebrows.
“A problem?” he asked.
“A big one. I can’t go back to Washington until I...interview Jackson Crow. If he won’t return until Monday, I don’t have a place to stay. I was planning on being a guest at Crow’s Nest.” Her frown deepened. “Are those, uh, tepees outside inhabitable?”
He chuckled. “Well, the sheets and towels are clean and they don’t leak, but I doubt if they’re what you’re used to. They’re pretty basic. You would probably be more comfortable if you drove to Jacksonville or Tyler and stayed in a nicer place.”
“I can’t do that.” Her eyes still troubled, she ran the tip of her tongue back and forth over a small area of the mug’s rim. Kyle couldn’t take his eyes off that bit of pink, and as he watched, mesmerized, his imagination went wild. “You see, I’m, uh, a little short on cash. I was hoping that your tepees would be cheap.”
“The tepees? Cheap? Oh, they’re cheap. Very cheap.” Kyle almost stood up and whooped. He wasn’t anxious for her to leave just yet. “As a matter of fact, your commission on the sale to Corrie and Edgar would more than cover room and board here until Jackson gets back.”
Her eyes widened. “My commission?”
“Sure. And if you need a little extra cash, I could use some help around here until Alma Jane gets back tomorrow or the next day.”
“Help? Doing what?”
“Tending the store While I wield the chain saw. Or better yet, how would you like reading to an irascible old man? Pete’s big on reading, but his eyes play out after a while. The job wouldn’t pay much, but—”
“I’ll take it. But just until Jackson returns, you understand.”
“Fine. We have a deal.” He couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. Wonder if he could persuade Jackson to stay in Dallas a few extra days?
The wrinkle between her brows disappeared, and she beamed. “Great. If you’ll give me a key, I’ll get settled in.”
Irish drove the Benz to the door of tepee
