Chapter 12 Winnie
Winnie
Tourist season has officially begun. We’re slammed from open until lunch, which I don’t take.
Riley, the beta girl who works part-time for me between her online classes, is out sick.
I’m pretty sure that’s code for sleeping in with her new boyfriend, but she’s generally a good worker, so I let it go.
Deputy is with Corbin today. I got him all set up in his dog bed last night but I'm still not sure he's trained enough to be in the store with customers so Corbin agreed to work with him some more today at the station.
I’m checking out a customer when the scent hits me. It's coffee and woods and soft rainy mornings.
I glance toward the door and find Rafe, of all people, in the doorway.
He somehow looks even more handsome than the last time I saw him.
His wavy black hair is slicked back from his face.
He wears a collared shirt, unbuttoned enough to expose the upper part of his chest. His jeans hug him in all the right places.
He smirks when he catches me looking, and I have to tear my eyes away to finish with the customer in front of me.
Thankfully, the line has finally died down while people browse.
Rafe steps up to the counter. “Busy day, Dulzura?” he asks.
I’ve never heard the word before, and the distinct Spanish accent when he uses that word makes it sound sinful.
I’m about to ask what it means when a middle-aged woman with short, bottle-blonde hair steps up and asks about a gift on one of the higher displays.
I look to where she’s pointing just as a teenage boy steps up with a mug from our sports collection. My stomach, very unhelpfully, growls.
Rafe gives the woman a dazzling smile. “I’ll get that down for you, ma’am,” he assures her.
“Oh, it’s okay, I—” I begin.
“It’s no trouble, Dulzura. Go help your customer. And then please, eat something. I think you rattled the shop with that stomach growl.” He winks, and then he’s off. The middle-aged woman takes his offered arm, her hand wrapping around his bicep, and he dazzles her with another toothy grin.
I shake my head but let it go. Two more people join the teenager in line.
I really do need the help.