“I was a bit worried about the streets, but they seem to be okay. I think we’ll still bring in the crowds for the carnival tonight.”
Kat swallowed and picked up another sample. “Mm, this smoked kind is good.” She held the cheese square towards his mouth. “Try it.”
Seriously? She wanted him to eat it out of her hand? Was she insane? Damian backed up. “No, thank you.”
Kat made a face. “Open up. You’ll like it.”
Several shoppers stopped to stare at him. Heat rose up his neck. “I don’t want to try it.”
She rolled her eyes and popped it into her mouth. “Okay,” she said with her mouth full. “But you’re missing out.”
“It’s on special today,” Sandra said. “Only $2.99.”
Kat picked up a block. “Sold. How’s Henry?”
Sandra sobered and shook her head. “He needs surgery. I just don’t know what we’ll do. We’re barely scraping by as it is. We may have to wait until after Christmas. He’s just in so much pain, I don’t want to wait too long.”
“Who’s Henry?” Damian asked, taking a step closer as he got into the conversation.
“Our basset hound. He’s got a tumor.”
“How much is the surgery?” Kat ate another sample.
“They said it would be over four thousand dollars.” Sandra shook her head and blinked back tears. “I just don’t know what to do. We may have to put him down.”
Damian felt bad for the woman, but he couldn’t do anything about it. “Sorry to hear that.”
Kat patted Sandra’s arm and swallowed. “I’m sure you’ll find the money somehow. I’ll be thinking of you. We best be going. Say hello to Fred for me.”
Damian blinked. “Wait, you’re Fred’s wife?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t properly introduce you. Sandra, this is Damian. He’s the one who’s here to shut down the newspaper right before Christmas.”
Sandra’s mouth pinched into a thin line.
“No! I’m not. She’s kidding.” He forced a chuckle. “Always a kidder this one. Happy Holidays.” Damian grabbed Kat’s arm and pulled her down the aisle. He rounded on her. “Why do you keep doing that?”
“I’m just messing with you.” She gave him a sweet smile, but there was a bite to it. “Lighten up.”
“Look, you can’t go around saying stuff like that. You’re going to cause panic.”
“And you’re not causing panic? You heard her. They may have to put down their dog because they can’t afford the surgery.” Kat’s eyes flashed at him.
“I heard. And I feel sorry for her. But there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Nothing you can do?” Kat let out a frustrated grunt and tossed her hands up in the air. She walked away. “Of course, there’s something you can do,” she said as he followed her into the feminine products aisle. She stopped suddenly and turned to him. “Keep the newspaper in business.”
“I still don’t know if I’m shutting it down. I need to find out more information.”
Kat frowned. “Fine. Whatever.”
Damian stared at her. “Is that way you dragged me in here? So I could feel bad for Fred and his wife?”
“It was more of a kill two birds kind of thing,” Kat muttered and handed him the block of cheese. “I can do some shopping while we’re here.” She stood back and looked at the shelves of tampons.
“Are you kidding me?”
“Nope.” She picked up a box and stuck it out to him.