“Good morning, Mr. Hoskins,” Janellen replied.
“Ollie, have the butcher cut us three T-bone steaks, one inch thick. And I don’t mean seven-eighths. Last time they were cut much too thin and were so tough we couldn’t chew them.”
“I apologize, Mrs. Tackett. I’ll make certain it’s done to your liking this time.” Just as Miss Janellen could always be counted on for a smile, he could depend on Jody Tackett to be a bitch. Lying, he said, “It’s good to see you up and about.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
He was only trying to make friendly conversation. By the way she snapped at him, you’d think he’d insulted her. “Why, no reason,” he said, feeling his bow tie growing tighter around his neck. “I’d just heard you weren’t feeling well these days. But you know how gossip travels.”
“I’m feeling great. As you can see.”
“Mama and I haven’t been shopping together in a long time.” Sweet Janellen was trying to smooth over the awkward moment. “We thought we’d treat ourselves.”
“Well, it’s certainly good to see you both. I’ll go tell the butcher about those steaks and have them waiting for you at the checkout counter.” He poked the handle of the feather duster into his rear pants pocket, turned, rounded the end of the aisle, and bumped into a grocery cart pushed by another woman.
“Dr. Mallory!” he exclaimed.
“Hello, Mr. Hoskins. How are you today?”
“Uh, fine.” Lord have mercy, Ollie thought; Jody Tackett and Dr. Lara Mallory were on a collision course. He didn’t want his store to be the scene of any trouble. “Did you see those watermelons in the produce section, Dr. Mallory? They came in from South Texas early this morning.”
“A whole watermelon is wasted on one person, I’m afraid.”
“I’ll slice one and sell you a portion.”
“No, thanks. I’ll stick to cantaloupe.”
When she smiled, his heart sped up a little. Regardless of the reputation that stereotyped sailors, he’d never been a dedicated skirt chaser. But he’d have to be blind not to notice that Dr. Mallory was a real looker. Her face and figure turned heads. In Eden Pass her name was synonymous with temptress.
Frankly, he’d never seen that side of her. She was friendly but never flirtatious. Maybe he just wasn’t her type, although a natural flirt usually flirted with everybody of the opposite sex. Like Heather’s mother. Now that woman was a tart if he’d ever seen one. He hoped to goodness that Heather didn’t take after Darcy in that respect. Tanner was a good boy, but it wouldn’t take much encouragement from a pretty girl like Heather for him to do something he ought not.
“Let me know if there’s anything you need, Dr. Mallory.”
“Thanks, Mr. Hoskins. I will.”
Regrettably, he saw no way to avoid disaster. He moved aside and let her pass, thinking that maybe he should warn her that Jody Tackett was in the next aisle. He hoped the doctor didn’t need any coffee or tea. Fatalistically he watched as she wheeled her cart into aisle 4. He loitered at the end of it, pretending to rearrange packages of Oreos and Fig Newtons. He prayed that he wouldn’t be called upon to referee a cat fight.
The squeaky front wheel on Dr. Mallory’s cart rolled to a stop. For several moments there was silence, then he heard her say, “Good morning.”
Janellen replied in her shy little voice, “Good morning, Dr. Mallory.”
“I’m glad to see you’re feeling better, Mrs. Tackett.” Dr. Mallory gave Jody ample opportunity to respond. When she didn’t, the doctor added, “I’ve called your house several times, hoping to speak with you.”
“We have nothing to say to each other.” Only Jody Tackett could have put that much venom into a few simple words. “Let’s go, Janellen.”
“Excuse me, Mrs. Tackett, but we have an awful lot to say to each other. I’d like very much to talk to you about Clark.”
“I’ll see you in hell first.”
“Mama!”
“Hush, Janellen! Come along.”
“Please, Mrs. Tackett. Mrs. Tackett? Mrs. Tackett!”
At first there was an underlying plea in the doctor’s voice. Then inquiry. Then alarm.
“Mama!”