Sympathy for her new friend overrode Sam’s better judgement. She glanced at the woman who she now assumed to be Mrs. Arnold. “I was just leaving.” She turned to the man and extended her hand. “Thank you, Mr. Arnold for your kind hospitality. And the company.”
He glanced at his wife as he shook Sam’s hand, squeezing a little too tight. “My pleasure, Doc. Drop by anytime.”
The low harrumph from the woman followed Sam down the aisle.
At the door, a man juggled two bags of groceries as he grabbed at the door handle.
“Here. Allow me.” She reached around him, and he stepped aside so she could open the door.
He waited for her on the sidewalk. “Thanks. I was about to lose my grip on this stuff.” Brown eyes glittered with self-deprecating humor. “But I rather like being rescued by a beautiful woman.”
She quickly sized him up. A shameless flirt. Sun-bleached chestnut hair, wind tossed and a little longer than normal, curled over a wide forehead. He stood around six-one or two, with an ingenuously appealing face. Bronzed skin proclaimed a life outdoors and made perfect, white teeth sparkle. A knowing smile tipped up one corner of his mouth.
Apparently, he was accustomed to women appreciating his impressive physical attributes.
Sam wasn’t in the market and gave a short, “You’re welcome,” as she turned to leave.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you, Dr. Fowler.” He extended his right hand, but unbalanced his groceries and pulled it back. “I’m Billy Ray Thomas. A friend of Coop’s.”
“Oh. Right. One of the deputies. I saw you…the other day.”
He rolled his head side-to-side, causing a dark brown curl to flip over one eye giving him a compellingly rakish look. “Not deputy. Jailer, slash dispatcher, slash chief cook and bottle-washer.”
She relaxed a little. He was merely being friendly. Okay, a flirty kind of friendly. She could deal with flirty. “Samantha Fowler.”
“I saw you talking to Frank and Miriam. Wanted to say hello but didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Miriam? Mr. Arnold’s wife?”
He nodded. “She’s a piece of work.”
Sam couldn’t think of anything nice to say, so kept silent.
“Never understood the attraction. Leads him around by his…nose. Been that way since they married right out of high school.”
“They say opposites attract.”
“I could never be so…docile.” His expression went somber a split second before the attitude ramped up from casual to flirty. “You’re staying at Miss Eva’s, right?”
“For now. Until I find something permanent.”
“There’s some new condo-type rentals south of town. One and two-bedroom units around this nice courtyard area with a small pool. I live in one of them. Coop can tell you how to get there.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the information.”
“No problem. See you around.”
He sauntered away, whistling some undecipherable tune.
She had to admit he was engaging, devilishly handsome with a perfectly portioned body and a sensual smile, but…he wasn’t Coop.
After putting away the items she purchased, she helped Eva with the noon meal. By the time it was ready, Barbara and her husband arrived with her truck, and some items she asked them to include. They departed mid-afternoon and Coop had yet to return home.
“There’s a dinner at church tonight,” said Eva as she wiped off the counter top, “to raise money for a new stained-glass window to replace one broken in a storm this summer. You’re welcome to come if you like.”
Before she could fashion a reply, her hostess continued.
“Of course, you and Coop may want to have your date tonight since it got cancelled last night.”
“I’m sure he’s going be exhausted, but I’ll see when he gets home.”
“Well, there will be plenty of leftovers for y’all and Jason, too, if he comes home in time. Just make yourself at home.”
“Thank you. Um, I wondered if you would mind if I baked something.”
“Of course not, dear. You’re free to cook whatever you like.”
“Well, I’m not much of a cook. I mean, I can follow a recipe, but I’m not very imaginative. With work and all, I seldom had time. But I do love to bake. My other creative outlet, along with my photography.” As an afterthought, she added, “Could you by chance use something sweet at your dinner tonight? I mean, if you could, I’d be happy to contribute.”
“How thoughtful of you, dear. Dinner is pot luck and afterwards, we auction off the desserts as a fundraiser. Did you have something in particular in mind?”
“Granny made this sheet cake she called Chocolate Candy Cake. It’s pretty rich, but so dang good. Or maybe Pecan Pie Muffins? I’m thinking the cake would probably be better. I can do the muffins for here.”
“You had me at chocolate candy.”
“I bought what I needed in town this morning. What time will you be leaving?”
“Mavis is picking me up about four-forty-five. We have to help get things set up.”
