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straight for the counter where I
ordered the largest mocha iced coffee they had, and a slice of lemon pound
cake. While I waited, I scanned the room. There they were; in a cozy little
corner. By the time the barista handed me my order, my neck burned. Still, I
could play things cool. I strolled their way, clamping my teeth around the
straw.
    “Duane. Stacy. What a surprise.”
    His face reddened, and he leaped to his
feet to pull out a chair. “Stacy is doing an article on the football team. Care
to join us?”
    I gave Stacy a simpering smile.
“Delegated to high school sports? I’m so sorry.”
    She rolled her eyes. “The newspaper is
cutting back on employees, so we all have to cover extra. With all the ways
available to get the news electronically, subscriptions are way down.” Her
blood red lips parted in a grin. “But, I don’t mind. It gives me the
opportunity to reconnect with Duane.”
    “How wonderful.” I slipped my arm around
his neck and gave him a kiss he wouldn’t forget anytime soon. “See you for
dinner, sweetheart.” With a pat to his cheek that might have been a little too
hard for a love tap, I marched out the door and back to the store, feeling
every inch the jealous wench that I’d proven to be.
    Resuming my seat in the rocker, coffee in
one hand, cake in the other, I continued to stare out the window as tears
pricked my eyes. What an idiot I was. Just a harmless
interview in a public place. Was I really that insecure? I owed Duane a
huge apology, and a time of repentance spent with God.
    Mom breezed through the door, arms loaded
with bags and packages. “Look at all the bargains. We can make so many new
things for the store.” She dropped her purchases on the counter and took a
quick sweep of the store. “Productive morning?”
    “How do you do that? Know with one glance
what is bought?” I shoved the last of the cake in my mouth and went to help her
unpack.
    “Experience. Besides, if you put everything
in its place, it’s easy to spot when something is gone.” She narrowed her eyes
and studied my face. “What’s wrong? Is there something in the paper?”
    “I was waiting for you before looking.” I
piled several skeins of yarn on the counter, seeing an afghan in my future.
“Duane is across the street with Stacy having coffee. He said she’s
interviewing him about the football team.”
    “Tell me you didn’t go over there and
make a fuss.” Mom planted fists on her hips. “No man wants a jealous woman,
Marsha. Either you trust him or you don’t.” Her eyes raked my body. “It
wouldn’t hurt for you to start dressing more feminine, either. Overalls are not
becoming.”
    But they hide a lot of body
imperfections. “I trust him, but I couldn’t help myself. It’s an illness.” The next
things out of the bag were several boxes of crystals in every color of the
rainbow. Lindsey would be thrilled. “Now, her…I trust about an inch.”
    “You know what I always say. Life is too
short for foolishness.” Mom stuffed the empty bag in a container so they could
be reused. “Now, let’s look at that paper.” She popped off the rubber band and
tossed it into a desk caddy.
    The bell over the door jangled, signaling
the arrival of more customers. Mom greeted them with a smile and, when they
expressed interest in some crafting books, she moseyed their way to help them
decide on a purchase. I started to think we’d never get to read the obits.
    Duane and Stacy headed back down the
sidewalk, Duane casting a somber glance toward Gifts from Country Heaven. Oh,
yeah. Apology.
    I fished my cell phone from my purse
under the counter and texted him that I was sorry. I watched through the window
as he read his text, then gave a thumbs-up toward me.
I knew he couldn’t see me, but I waved anyway, my heart lighter.
    Obviously, Thursday was the new senior
citizen’s day at the store. Customers drifted in and out all day. It wasn’t
until almost closing time that Mom and I were able