His For Christmas (5 page)

 
Damn,
he
used
to
smile
all
the
time.
He
’
d
smile
so
much,
even
laugh
like
a
loon
sometimes
and
think
nothing
of
it.
Now,
every
smile,
every
laugh
was
enough
to
get
his
attention,
as
if
to
say,
‘
Look,
isn
’
t
this
rather
abnormal
behavior?
’

How
was
it
possible
a
single
woman
could
change
so
much,
could
take
so
much
with
her
actions?

No.
He
didn
’
t
want
to
think
about
Meredith
anymore.

No
more.

“
Leave
right
now!
Shoo!
”

“
No,
please!
I
’
m
begging
you.
Please
let
me
stay
here.
Just
a
while!
”

“
And
have
you
scare
away
the
customers?
I
shouldn
’
t
think
so!
”

Was
that
the
strident
voice
of
the
formidable
Ms.
Blakely?
The
one
with
the
terrifying
eyes
and
hatchet
nose?
He
tried
to
shift
the
package
of
salt
pork
with
little
success.

“
Please!
Have
mercy!
”

He
could
hear
the
muttering
and
whispers
of
onlookers,
but
damned
if
he
could
see
what
was
going
on,
what
with
this
bag
of
salt
pork
in
his
eyes.

Not
that
he
cared
much
for
whatever
was
causing
interest,
but
if
there
was
an
incident,
then
it
was
sure
to
present
some
sort
of
trouble
were
he
to
run
into
someone,
which
was
a
certainty
if
the
growing
number
of
voices
proved
anything.

And
even
if
he
couldn
’
t
see
a
damn
thing,
he
did
have
excellent
hearing.

He
hoped
his
rather
formidable
height
and
the
fact
he
had
more
on
his
back
than
a
pack
mule
would
get
him
through
the
crowd.
“
Excuse
me.
Coming
through.
Excuse
me.
Pardon.
”

“
Look
at
her,
”
he
thought
he
heard
a
hushed
female
voice
whisper.
“
Has
she
no
shame?
”