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the meantime, don’t tell Vera about your friend, okay?”
     
    “VERA, I NEED TO RUN AN ERRAND,” JAMIE SAID, shortly after Destiny left. “I won’t be long.”
    “No problem, I’ll hold down the fort.”
    Jamie picked up her pocketbook and left the building, hurrying down the street toward Maxine Chambers’s shop. She couldn’t wait to see what was inside. She opened the door and stepped in, and was greeted by the smell of lavender.
    Maxine was standing behind the counter. She had changed her mousy brown hair to a flattering red and wore makeup, something she had never bothered with when she’d worked at the library.
    “Well, Jamie Swift, it’s wonderful to see you again, only this time we don’t have to whisper like we did at the library.”
    “I just came by to offer my congratulations on your new store,” Jamie said.
    Maxine smiled. “Well, you’re the first. Everyone else is shocked that I would do such a thing, and some preacher wannabe is calling constantly, accusing me of corrupting the town. And get this; he wants to meet with me so he can pray for my soul. I told him to take a hike.”
    Jamie knew Brent Walker had been the one to call. “I’m sure it’s going to take time for some folks to adjust. I’d just ignore him.” She glanced around. “Now then, why don’t you show me around? I’ve been dying to come in.”
    “What did you have in mind?”
    “I’m not sure. Something a little sexy.” She thought of the edible underwear. “Without going overboard,” she added.
    “Come on and let me show you my new European lace collection. They’re elegant but simple. Sexy and classy,” she added.
    Jamie followed her to an aisle where Maxine held up the most beautiful bras and panties she’d ever seen. “Oh, my,” she said.
    “Aren’t they lovely?” Maxine said proudly. “And look at this baby doll sleepwear in satin. Think how nice that would feel against your skin.”
    Jamie ran her hand against the material. “I’ve never felt anything so nice.”
    “I agree,” Maxine said. “This is top-of-the-line. Oh, and I’ve got these beautiful teddies and body suits. Aren’t they wonderful? And you’ve got just the figure for them.”
    “Why, thank you, Maxine.” Jamie paused and studied the woman. “I don’t mean to be nosy, Maxine, but what made you decide to open a lingerie store?”
    The woman smiled. “I guess I’m the last person in the world people would expect to find running a store like this, but it’s always been a secret fantasy of mine. So one morning I woke up and reminded myself I wasn’t getting any younger, and that’s when I started getting serious about it. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a lot of customers since I opened.”
    “Then you’ll have to let me write an article about your store,” Jamie said, “along with a nice advertisement. It’ll be my celebration gift to you.”
    “Why, thank you, Jamie. That’s very kind of you. You know, I’ve always liked you. You were so careful with your library books. You never dog-eared the pages like some folks, and you always brought them back on time.” She sniffed. “Not all people respect books like you do. Why, I could tell you stories—”
    “Show me what else you’ve got,” Jamie said, wanting to change the subject. Maxine probably did have a lot of stories, but she didn’t have time to listen to them.
    Maxine gave her a complete tour of the store. In the end, Jamie selected a number of items from the European collection.
    “Good choice,” Maxine said, “and since you’re one of my first customers, I’m going to give you a ten percent discount.” She rang up the merchandise, then wrapped the bras, panties, sleepwear, and body suits in tissue paper and put them in a beautiful lavender-colored bag.
    Jamie handed her a check. “Why don’t we meet for lunch early next week so we can talk about your store?” she said. “In the meantime, I’ll send my editor over to get a picture of you for