deputy was a badass girly girl, but still, a hundred bucks?
He visited with his friends and fellow citizens, keeping one eye on the clock and the other on the prize. It didn’t escape his notice that she kept track of where he was, too. Every time he moved closer, she scooted away.
Zach bided his time, and as the crowd thinned, he decided he’d given her enough line and time to run. He picked up two glasses of champagne, then sidled over to her. Seeing her notice him and go tense, Zach made a judgment about which compliment she’d prefer hearing most. “The place looks great, Peach.”
It took her a moment, but she visibly relaxed and actually smiled at him as she accepted the glass of champagne he offered. “Thanks.”
“I like how you’ve named your products with an Eternity Springs theme.”
“Since my primary market for the retail shop is the tourist trade, I thought it would be fun.”
“Looks like you’ve sold a lot to locals tonight, too.”
Her smile brightened with satisfaction. “I have. I completely sold out of Spring Cleaned bubble bars.”
“As sheriff, I appreciate that Eternity Springs can boast of a clean citizenry.” She rewarded him with a laugh, and Zach continued, “Also as sheriff, I like to support local businesses, so why don’t you help me pick out something to buy?”
“I can do that. How about something for Ace?”
“Dog bubble bath?”
“I was thinking about a shampoo.”
“That’ll work.”
Savannah led him to a display called “Suds for Spot,” and as she described the differences in the three dog shampoos she offered, Zach’s attention wandered. Something on the shelf next to the dog stuff smelled great. “I’ll take the green stuff,” Zach told her, then gestured toward the shelf. “What is this scent?”
“Isn’t it wonderful?” She picked up a cellophane bag filled with crystals and untied the ribbon bow that fastened it closed. She passed it to him to get a better whiff. “It’s something new I put together, and it’s quickly becoming my favorite scent. It’s a combination of oak-moss, bergamot, and …” A rosy blush stained her cheeks as she added, “Peaches.”
“Peaches. No wonder I like it.” He inhaled the spicy, appealing fragrance, then read the label. It was a takeoff on the name of the mountain pass leading into town, Sinner’s Prayer Pass. “Sinners Make a Pass Bubble Beads.”
He had a swift, intense mental picture of a naked Savannah Moore climbing into a bubble bath in a Victorian slipper tub. His voice was a little raspy as he said, “I’ll take this, too.”
Savannah clarified, “It’s bubble bath, Zach.”
“Yeah.” His vision shifted to a naked Savannah sinking into his hot tub at home and crooking her finger at him. “Actually, I’ll take half a dozen bags.”
Savannah gave him a quick once-over. Her voice sounded a little tight as she said, “I have that scent in soap if you’d rather.”
A naked Savannah in his shower. “Yeah. I’ll definitely take some soap, too.”
“Too?”
“Too.” When his fantasy moved to his bed, he distractedly asked, “Does it come in massage oil?”
She closed her eyes and moistened her lips. “No. No. I don’t have a line of massage oils.”
“Maybe that’s something you should consider.”
“I … uh … can I check you out?”
As soon as she spoke the words, she winced, and he knew she hadn’t meant it as a double entendre. Because she looked so miserable, Zach took pity on her and swallowed the suggestive remark that popped into his mind. “Great. I’ll pay cash.”
Five minutes later, Zach exited Heavenscents wondering just how the hell he’d just spent $105.62 on soap. After his comments to his deputy earlier, if Savannah told Gabi, he’d never hear the end of it.
At the threshold he paused and glanced back over his shoulder. She watched him with a curious combination of yearning and regret. Zach sniffed at the soap and considered.
When the last of her guests departed and only her girlfriends remained, Savannah gave them all enthusiastic hugs, gushing thanks, and huge gift baskets filled with lotions and soaps.
“It was a lot of fun,” Sarah said.
Nic nodded. “I had a blast.”
“Me too,” Ali added. “The party gave me an excuse to try out a couple of new recipes. The crab cakes were a hit.”
The women gathered up their things and departed, and when the door shut behind them, Savannah took a moment to gaze around her shop. She hugged herself and twirled around with a huge smile on her face. “Ah, Grams, did you see this? They love our