George had me several cartons of strawberries already picked and sorted. He must have known it was a strawberry day. We’d sold several dozen already. I figured we’d sell at least eight more before the day was over.
As I paid George I saw Mr. Expensive patiently walking my way. He held two containers in his hand. It appeared he’d bought my suggestions. Smiling I took the strawberries from George and walked toward this stranger, who was apparently searching for me.
“What did you decide?” I asked him.
He took the grocery bag from my hands and placed a box inside it. He reached for the strawberries, tucked them under his arm and I tell you, that was a load. “I’ll help you carry these back.”
That was nice but a terrible idea. Momma wasn’t going to like that. “You don’t have to. I can carry it. I’m sure you have somewhere to be.”
He chuckled. “No place as important as helping a lady with her cartons and bag of groceries.”
A lady. He called me a lady. I felt very important then. It’s silly, but I did.
“I’m used to carrying them. Momma sends me often.”
I really needed him to leave. To go on before momma saw us. Even though I wished he could stay. This might be his last time through. Who came to Moulton for a cupcake?
“I’m sure you are. But a man should stop and help. Besides your hands were full and I couldn’t very well make you carry one more thing.”
Frowning, I glanced up to him. I guessed about six foot three. Much taller than my five foot six. “What else did I need to carry?”
He showed the bag where he had placed his boxes. “Your chocolate strawberries and chocolate raspberry cupcakes. There they are needing consumption.”
The man had bought me something again. My mouth watered, even though, I knew I shouldn’t take them. Momma would have a fit. Though Henry would love it I bet.
“You bought me something else?” I asked, sounding breathless, highly dramatic and appreciative.
“Yes. Hearing you talk about them with so much passion made my mouth then water. Figured you should at least get to try them. Shame your mother doesn’t allow you a taste test now and then.”
“Thank you. Speaking of my momma, she’s not going to be happy, that you bought me something again. She thinks I’m flirting and you’re buying me treats, because of the flirting I’m doing. Momma has this strange idea about my looks and what they create.”
He appeared to be holding back laughter. “And what might they create?”
I sighed and shrugged my shoulders. “She thinks I’m pretty. Over-pretty. But that’s not even a word.”
When he laughed my face grew hot. I know I turned three shades of red.
Chapter Seven
“I’ll save some for Henry. He loved the cupcake,” I said the moment Mr. Expensive walked out the door after helping me carry my bundles.
Momma was staring at the box he had left for me on the counter.
“I wasn’t even in here momma. I couldn’t have flirted with him. He bought those on his own.”
She then raised her eyes to meet mine: “he’s never worked an honest days labor in his entire trust funded life. His hands are too downy and soft. His skin not damaged by the sun. He wears and smells of easy money. No worry or fear in his eyes. His life has been simple and manageable. He expects to get what he wants because he always has till now. Nothing’s ever been a challenge for him. Now, you’re something he desires. He’s buying you treats that cost him little to draw you in for the kill. That, Sammy Jo, is dangerous. A real man knows work and respect.”
Then she turned and went back to the kitchen. Momma was making judgments on a man she didn’t know because he’d been kind to me, by giving me gifts and attention. I opened the box to find six strawberries and three gigantic cupcakes. Why three? That, I wondered.
I selected a strawberry and closed my eyes, biting down and allowing the first spray of juice to release inside my mouth. It was as perfect as I’d imagined. And momma’s warning was silly I thought. She got upset over nothing. I’d never see the man again. Mr. Expensive was gone.
The door chimed and I spun to see who it was, which was Ben walking inside. I swallowed my bite of strawberry. At least he was here. Maybe he could explain Jamie’s behavior that made no sense to me.
“Hey,” I said, wiping the juice from my mouth with the back of my hand.
He ducked his head a moment then sighed before looking back at me. “Hey,” he responded. “Hey there.” As if adding two words made it better.
I knew this was about the lake. It was time we put that behind us. “Are we good?” I asked him, hoping he’d say “yes” and put the thing to rest.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Have you talked to Jamie?”
“Funny you should mention that. I just saw her outside and she all but ran away from me in the street.”
His skin paled a shade or two. Something was definitely off.
“Uh…yeah…well, we kinda…just ask her yourself if you want.” And he left as quickly as possible.
I picked up a cupcake and watched him hurry off down the street. Things were strange but this cupcake was delicious. A cup of coffee would make it better. No it wouldn’t, that’s impossible.
“Come get the blueberry bread! Display it right in the front!” Momma called from the back and I replied “yes mam!” tucking my cupcake back into the box and dusting off my hands. I hurried to the kitchen with a smile. I didn’t need to remind her about my gifts so I returned to quietly hide them, to make them blend like a regular fixture. Glancing outside I saw Ben pause and look back at the door. Something was strange and though momma would be angry I knew I had to do something about it or it was going to drive me nuts.