Page 4 of Tilly's Tutus
“Time for you to go,” Carter said, crossing his arms over his chest. “If you don’t, I’ll call for backup and you can spend the rest of the weekend in jail.”
The man frowned then kicked at the sidewalk. “I’m going. No need to call anyone.”
Carter waited until he got into his pickup truck and drove out of the parking lot. Only then did he return to the building.
“Do not let that man back in,” he instructed the security team members standing at the door.
He then escorted Maggie past the line up to the check-in table to the ladies taking money and handing out gift bags and passes. “This lady is my guest.”
“Of course, Captain,” one of the women said as she handed Maggie a pass and gift bag. “Have a good time, dear.”
Once Maggie decided on which panel discussion she wanted to attend first, Carter headed back to the vendor room. He wanted to make sure Tilly and her sisters were all right.
And maybe he’d ask her out again.
Chapter Three
“This is perfect!” A Little girl twirled in the multicolored pastel tutu she’d chosen and slipped on. “Please, Daddy. Please, please, please will you buy it for me?”
Since this was the third time this scene had played out in the last hour, Tilly knew to look away as they discussed the purchase. She turned to the cardboard box at the back of her booth and pulled out a new tulle tutu. After fluffing it, she hung it from the hanger that had just been emptied.
She jumped and turned when a finger tapped her shoulder. “Miss? My Daddy wants to know if you take credit cards?” the young woman asked as she moved her hands into a palms-together prayer position.
“I do,” Tilly answered with a smile before moving to the small table that held her sales station.
“Yay!” The Little girl cheered and did a happy dance as her Daddy pulled out his wallet.
“Now for the big question,” Tilly said as she took the man’s credit card. “Do you want to wear your new skirt or shall I put it in a bag?”
The Little took two steps back, a horrified expression on her face. “You can’t do that! It won’t be able to breathe if you put it in a bag!”
“Very well then, no bag.” Tilly chuckled as she ran the payment before handing the card back to the Daddy along with her business card and the flyer she’d put together. “Thank you very much. My full line of Little clothes is on my website. I also make matching clothes for Littles and their stuffed friends.”
The man took everything with an indulgent smile. “Thank you. I’m sure we’ll be checking it out when we get home.”
Once they moved on, the Little girl began gushing over Carri’s crocheted critters in the next booth, and Tilly took a moment to look around the rest of the room. At some point during the next three days, she promised herself that she would walk around and check out all the other vendors.
“Having a good day?” A deep voice pulled her attention to her right.
Turning just her head, she found Carter standing beside her, looking all tall and heroic in his casual uniform. “So far, so good,” she answered with a grin as she looked up into his brown eyes. They met hers and she thought she could fall into them and drown, if only there wasn’t a dozen things pulling at her, including a pair of Little girls who were now squealing over the t-shirts and skirts she had on display.
“I was wondering if you’d join me for dinner tonight?” Carter asked even as she forced her attention away from him.
“I wish I could, but my sister and I are heading home after closing.”
“Can I get your phone number?”
Tilly studied the man, trying to figure out why her body wanted to move closer despite the women looking at her wares. After a long few seconds, she took a business card off the stack on her table and held it out.
He brushed his fingertips over the back of her hand before taking it. “Thank you, little one.”
Tilly felt her face heat as he read the card. She watched as he then pulled out his phone, swiped the screen and tapped on it. A moment later, her phone buzzed and rang out with a message.
“Now you have my number, too. Just in case your plans change and you can join me for dinner,” he said as he stroked the back of two fingers down her cheek. “Be good and have a wonderful rest of your day, little one.”
And then he was walking away, leaving her watching him as she licked her lips to make sure she wasn’t drooling.
“Excuse me,” one of the women behind her said, “Do you have this t-shirt in a larger size?”
