Page 26 of May I Kiss the Bride
Beth looked up. She carried a basket that contained spice bottles. “Well, hello there, Sheriff. Nice day.”
“If you like the heat of a thousand suns, it’s a nice day.”
Beth chuckled and folded the apron, setting it back on the shelf.
“How’s your health?” Rey continued, apparently bent on making small talk before asking any of his dire questions.
“Today’s a good day,” Beth said. “I promised Viola that even on good days, I’d let one of the shopgirls run the register. We’re still getting brisk business, even with Viola gone.”
Rey nodded at this. “Your bakery has delicious food, so the good business is what you deserve.”
“Why, thank you.” She eyed the box in his hands. “I see you bought something?”
“A pie for Elsie,” he explained. “Her birthday is tomorrow.”
“Oh, what a sweet girl,” Beth said. “Turning nine?”
“That’s right.” He cleared his throat. “Sidney mentioned something about your niece attending school in Cheyenne?”
Beth’s eyes sparked, and her smile widened. “Sure is. Just received the letter today.”
“Oh?”
Beth was grinning now. “I guess there’s an opening.” She lowered her voice as townspeople milled about the store. “She’s been working in the nursing office at a school in San Francisco since there aren’t openings. The school in Cheyenne is run by the sister of the director, and because Viola’s parents are still against her decision, she decided there’s no reason to stay in San Francisco for the time being. I know her parents will come around eventually, when they see how serious and dedicated she is. In fact, her mother paid her a visit the other day. Offered her money, which Viola refused.”
“I’m sorry to hear about her parents’ disapproval.” And hewassorry. But he was also elated at the thought of seeing Viola once again …
Beth pursed her lips. “I’m not surprised, and that’s all I’m going to say on the matter.” She glanced down the aisle, then focused once again on Rey. “She asked about you.”
Rey leaned against the nearby shelf, if only to have a bit of support. He mustered up a nonchalance that he didn’t feel. “Oh?”
“I mean, not directly, but she asked me to catch her up on all the town’s happenings.”
Rey felt deflated. That was a far cry from mentioninghim.
Beth gave him a wink. “Don’t worry, Sheriff Rey. You’ll have your Viola back soon.” With that, she headed to the register, basket of spices in hand.
Beth Cannon was sure assuming a lot—on his part. Had he made his feelings obvious? Weren’t his questions perfectly polite and conversational? As he headed out of the mercantile without buying a thing, he wondered, what had given him away? And did the rest of the town suspect the same thing?
“Papa,” a young girl yelled from across the street.
Rey came to a stop.Oh no.Now Elsie would see what he’d bought. He’d wanted it to be a surprise.
She left Barb’s side and ran across the street.
“You shouldn’t run across the street,” Rey said, wishing he could hide the pie box behind his back. It would be quite obvious though.
“There weren’t any wagons or fast horses.” Elsie’s eyes zeroed in on the box. “You bought a cake?”
“A pie,” he said. “I mean … it’s a surprise.”
“For my birthday?” Elsie practically squealed. She clapped her hands together.
“Sorry, Sheriff,” Barb said, finally catching up to them after crossing the street much more slowly. Her gray hair was pulled into a tight bun beneath her straw hat, but perspiration gleamed on her face and neck despite the hat’s shade. “I didn’t expect to run into you so early in the afternoon. I thought we’d be safe doing a few errands now.”
“It’s all right.” Rey tugged on his daughter’s braid. “You’ll find out soon enough, might as well be a day early.”
Elsie jumped up and down a couple of times. “Can we have it tonight—like a birthday eve treat?”
