Kerry frowned. Why did he have to go and bring up Ms. Sparkle Toes again? “Um, excuse me, Mr. Out of the Blue, it’s not like I was asking. The question on the table was where is Lucas?” She gave him a headshake and turned to go back the way she came, mumbling to herself, “It’s not like you owe me any sort of explanation.”
“But I kind of do.”
Kerry stopped short and turned back his way, crossing her arms. “Why?”
He looked at her, confusion clouding his face.
“Why what?”
“Why would you think you owe me an explanation and why would you think I thought anything at all?” she asked. “It’s not like I spend all my time, or any time for that matter, thinking about you and your nighttime activities, Jesse Strong.”
She didn’t know if her words came out a little more clipped than she had intended them to, but it seemed her sharpness hit a mark. “But still—” he started, and Kerry held up a hand.
“No buts. You don’t owe me any sort of excuse or explanation. We’re friends and coworkers. No more than that. What you do during the nighttime hours is your business.” Kerry paused, thinking of her next words. “Though I would suggest possibly showing any of your other sympathy givers the way in and out of the residence entrance so that they don’t have to come through the shop. I’d also like to make it clear that this is the last morning that I’ll be cleaning up after your nighttime carousing. It’s not part of my job description.”
She glared at Jesse and he stared at her, then finally burst out laughing.
“Did you just say ‘carousing’?”
Kerry let out a groan. “So what? It’s a word.”
He pulled a face. “That it is, Kerry Girl.”
“Oh, screw you with the Kerry Girl. Commenting over my saying ‘carousing’ while you were busy last night with old claw-foot.”
Jesse stilled. Then burst out laughing again. “Good one. The toes were a bit much.”
Kerry shrugged, trying to stay serious, but a snort escaped anyway. “I’m not saying, but I’m saying. They were heavy. Just layered to all hell. Your poor sheets are probably shredded.” She frowned then. Dammit, she didn’t need the image of Jesse shredding sheets with claw-toed Erika or anyone else running through her mind. She could take a lot, but that was maybe too much. “Seriously, could you be a little more circumspect? We are trying to focus on the shop and building on the legacy Mama Joy started. I don’t recall while she was alive there ever being any sort of tradition of young females coming in and out at all hours of the morning and night.”
Jesse stared at her a long time before he nodded and then turned away, mumbling under his breath, “Don’t worry. I know all about her legacy, and I’m glad to know I’ve got you keeping track now too.”
Kerry bit her tongue. Literally. It was better than making an ass of herself by saying the wrong thing. Again. Why did she have to go in and add that last part about the women traipsing in morning and night? What did it matter to her if they traipsed or not-traipsed? “That’s not what I meant, Jesse. All I meant was that I was just thinking of the good of the shop.”
He turned to her and nodded, a half smile making his already beautiful face just that much more so. “Don’t worry, I’ve got it. I get exactly what you are saying. All I was trying to let you know was that Erika isn’t anything serious. My mind is where I said it was yesterday: on doing what I have to do to keep this shop open and afloat. You won’t see Erika, or anyone else for that matter, again.”
Kerry felt her brows tighten. “And once again, Erika or any other women you get on with are none of my business and it’s not like I care. Are we clear?”
There was a knock immediately followed by the door chime. In that moment Kerry didn’t think she could welcome an interruption more. Though the air had been turned on, she was starting to break out in a sweat with this conversation. Thank goodness for Tracy and the UPS delivery, she thought. But just that fast her mind went awash with grief. Tracy? The delivery? Oh hell. There hadn’t been any deliveries since Mama Joy passed, though Tracy was kind enough to stop by the day after and give condolences as soon as he’d heard the news from the other shopkeepers in the neighborhood.
He was a nice guy, quick and efficient, and always had a kind word, but Kerry could barely find her voice this morning thinking of what must be in the package he was holding. It was most likely the long-overdue yarns Mama Joy had been waiting for from the weavers in Oregon. She’d so been looking forward to it and now here it was and she wasn’t here to open it. Dammit. “Hey, Tracy,” Kerry finally said, giving the big guy with the soft brown eyes a weak smile.
“Morning, Kerry. Once again, I’m so sorry for your loss. Ms. Strong will truly be missed.” He cleared his throat and looked at her earnestly. “You both will.” Jesse shifted, drawing Tracy’s attention his way. “I mean you all will. The neighborhood won’t be the same without this shop here.”
Jesse frowned. “The shop is here and will be here.”
Tracy gave him a look for a few seconds, then nodded. “I’m glad to hear it. Well then, I have a delivery for you all.” He turned back Kerry’s way. “You are still taking deliveries for her, right?” Kerry felt her brows furrow. Tracy was friendly, but this was starting to feel like friendly with three ellipses hanging out on the back end. He was sweet, but not that sweet.
“Yeah, you can give that to me,” Jesse suddenly blurted out from over her shoulder. “I can take it. I’ll be accepting on behalf of my mother.”
Tracy looked over Kerry’s shoulder, and his eyes narrowed into a “What’s up with him?” look. But Kerry quickly took the package from his hands and shook her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll sign for it,” she said quickly, scrolling the electronic pen across the little keypad. “This is one of Ms. Joy’s sons, Jesse. He, along with his brothers, will be running the business.”
Tracy’s eyes narrowed further, showing signs of skepticism. But he nodded his head. Then, out of respect, he immediately said to Jesse, “I’m sorry for your loss. Like I said, your mother will be missed.”
Jesse’s eyes were sharp, and his voice was clipped. “That she will be.” He took the box from Kerry’s hands. “Thanks. We won’t hold you up any longer. I’m sure you have a schedule to keep.”
Kerry frowned. Damn, rude much? It wasn’t like Jesse at all, and Tracy was just being nice. But she kept that to herself and smiled Tracy’s way. “Thanks, Tracy. You have a good day. We’ll be seeing you.”
At the sound of the door closing again, she turned to Jesse. “What was that all about?”