as people strolled by. Laurel answered questions from a group of women who stopped to look and, therefore, was completely unaware that she was being watched. Spring nudged her and surreptitiously pointed to a man standing a couple of booths down, looking intently at the two of them.
“Who is that, Sis?”
“I’m not sure.” Laurel squinted. “Hmm, I know the face, but I can’t quite place him. He’s too old to be a classmate. Maybe he docks at the marina? Or used to?”
“Oh, shit, he’s coming over here.”
“I wish you wouldn’t use that kind of language. It isn’t becoming in a girl your age.”
Spring rolled her eyes. “Whatever . . . Oh, darn, here he comes.’”
Laurel pursed her lips in maternal disapproval, but she was stopped from any further comment by the man’s approach.
“Laurel Elliot. I can’t believe it; it is you.” His face broke into a dazzling smile, and he held out his hand. “I’m Cooper Edwards, a friend of your father’s from his university days, but I also teach history at Benton College.”
“I thought I recognized you! How are you, Dr. Edwards?”
“Cooper, please. No need to be so formal.” He clasped her hand in both of his. “I’m fine, just fine. And you’re doing well, I see.”
“Yes.”
“How’s your father?”
“He’s good — still at the marina of course.”
“I haven’t seen him in ages. I remember when he wrote me you were coming to Benton, but I never had you in class.”
“I’m not much of a history buff, I’m afraid. I took the bare minimum requirements, and I was out of there. I think I had Dr. Pinehurst for those.”
“Yes, well, you’re forgiven if you spent your time learning to make this beautiful pottery. May I look?”
“Oh, of course.” She gave him the spiel about natural dyes and lead-free glazes.
“Are you living here in Lexington now?” he asked, turning a pitcher over and looking at the price on the bottom of it.
“No, I’m still living in the same area where my family is. In fact, this is my younger sister, Spring.”
“Hello, Spring, how are you?” He gave her a friendly, but disinterested smile.
Spring bobbed her head in a curt nod. “Hi.”
“And my brothers are around here somewhere.”
“Ah, yes — the mischievous twins. I’ve heard some great stories about them.”
Laurel laughed politely and took in the appearance of her father’s friend while he looked over her work. Cooper Edwards was handsome for an older man. About her height or maybe a wee bit taller, his dark hair was trimmed short and streaked elegantly with gray at the temples. A goatee and wire-rimmed glasses gave him a scholarly appearance. He was fit; he looked like he might have been a runner, and his slender hands had a manicured, well-kept look to them.
“I think I’ll take this one.” He held a pitcher out to her. “It’s lovely.”
“Thank you. It’s one of my favorite designs, too. I love the blues and greens in it.”
He fished out his wallet and paid her in cash. “I’ll have to get down there to see your father sometime soon. You’ll tell him I asked after him, won’t you?”
“I will. I’m sure he’d be happy to hear from you,” she said in an absent-minded manner as she wrapped and bagged his purchase.
“Well, take care then.” He took her hand in both of his and winked at her. “It certainly was good to see you again.”
“Bye.” Laurel stood and watched as he walked away, looking once over his shoulder and tossing her a final charming smile.
“Well, he seemed nice.” She turned back to her pad of receipts and put the carbon between the next two sheets of paper.
“I didn’t like him.” Spring wrinkled her nose in disdain.
“Why not? He was friendly.”
“He creeps me out.”
“Oh, Spring, you’re just being obstinate. He’s a friend of Daddy’s.”
“Hmm,” Spring said noncommittally. “Whatever . . . ”
“Boy, I’m starting to hate that word,” Laurel mumbled under her breath.
“Who was the old dude holding your hand?” Crosby bounded up and picked up an orange and red bowl. “Oooh, I like this one. I haven’t seen it before.”
“He said he’s a friend of Dad’s from school, and he teaches at Benton.”
“An old prof of yours, then?”
“No, I wasn’t ever in his classes.”
“How did he know you?”
“Well, my name is on the front of the table. And I think I met him once or twice a long time ago.”
“You doing any good today? Sold any dishes?”
“Yeah. How ’bout you? You get any leads on prospective landowners?”
“Got several interested in