Page 57 of Love in Riverbend
Molly tugs on Kandace’s hand. “You said a bad word.”
“Oops. You’re right.”
With a sexy grin, Kandace turns, giving me the pleasure of watching her round ass in her blue jeans do a little sway. The back door closes and I go to the bathroom to wash the syrup from my hands. Above the sink is an old medicine cabinet. Opening it, I see two toothbrushes and other personal items.
How many hours a day does Kandace spend here, I wonder.
Back to the piles of tubs and boxes, I lift the first tub. It’s been years, but I remember where the door is to the upstairs. Opening the door and turning on the light, I look at the dust-covered staircase and begin my ascent. Once at the top, I set the tub down and take in the space.
Kandace wants to make this a home?
Chapter 21
Kandace
It’s Tuesday afternoon and the store is slow. I’ve taken advantage of having someone to carry and move things. Together, Dax and I have moved shelves and cleaned. I also asked him to put together some shelving I’d had at my folks’. The back room is more crowded, but most of the extra inventory is now available whenever I need it.
Dax looks as handsome as ever as he leans against the doorjamb between the back room and the office with his arms crossed over his chest. His long legs are clad in blue jeans, and he’s wearing the blue t-shirt he’d worn at the softball game.
“I like your hair longer,” I say.
He runs his long fingers through it. “I don’t know. It was something different. Are you still planning to take Quintessential Treasures online?”
“I am.”
“You’re going to need more room for merchandise.”
Sighing, I lean back in the office chair. “I’m going to need more than that. I’ll need room for shipping—boxing and mailing.”
“You can’t do this alone.”
“I was waiting for you to sign the store over to me. Mr. Murphy said until you did, I was basically just an employee.”
His golden eyes narrow. “You’re not just anything.”
“You know what I mean. I couldn’t authorize hiring or big expenditures.”
“Maybe you could put the shipping center and more storage upstairs.”
His suggestion reminds me of my plans for upstairs. I jump up from my chair. “Let me show you.” Hurrying to the front door, I lock it and put out the sign that says I’ll be back in ten minutes. My circulation races as I open the door to the upstairs. Dax has seen this space, but I haven’t told him what I have planned.
Looking over my shoulder, I smile. “Come on, keep up.”
“I’ll keep up.”
I giggle as he chases me up the stairs. Once I’m to the top, I spin around, unsure where to go. Dax is a step behind me. When he catches me, his arms wrap around my waist, and he spins us around.
When is the last time I giggled?
For a second, we’re young and carefree again.
My hands go to his solid chest, and I feel the beat of his heart.
“Dax.”
I lick my lips as my mouth goes dry. I’m caught in his strong arms as he stares down at me.
“Remember the text you sent me?”
