Page 53 of Theirs to Treasure

“I think you should try some things on before you just go along with it. Let’s start with the thongs and corsets.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. She burst out laughing. The man was irresistible. “But seriously, you do need to try on some things for today’s adventure.”

Chance insisted on seeing four different fancy corset, thong, and dress combinations, before he finally said she should dress in jeans and a sweatshirt.

“I’m confused. If I needed to just wear jeans, why did you have me try on the dresses?” Josie demanded.

“Are you kidding? That was just a fun way to start the day.”

“You are the biggest goofball I have ever met, Chance Reynolds,” she declared. “So where are we going?”

“We’re going to the Farmers Market. Butch and Betty should be getting there just about now.”

“That sounds great,” Josie enthused. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 20

On the way to the market, Josie behaved like a stalker. She texted Sam five times.

“Honey, he probably has his phone turned off,” Chance said.

“I’m worried about him,” she protested.

“I know. But he’s a big boy. Seriously, he’s done this at least six times before. I told you, this is the first time he said he’d be back. That’s a big step for him. Give him time. I promise, he’s good. He just needs a little time to get his shit together.”

“Okay.”

Twenty minutes later, and some funny stories from Chance, put Josie in the mood for a day out. She’d been meaning to come to the market, but since Sundays were her one day off, she was usually too tired to make it. Josie was impressed with the number of booths, and when she commented on that to Chance, he explained that there were a lot of craftsmen who lived in Fate Harbor. Many of them relied on the market to sell their wares. One of the first booths they came upon was a homemade soap vendor. While Josie made some selections, Chance took the opportunity to text Betty their location.

Josie was looking for something she could sell in her bakery, but the soap wasn’t a good choice. When she told Chance her plan, he agreed with her, and said he would keep his eyes peeled as well.

She almost dropped her purse when she felt it vibrate. Please say it’s Sam texting me back. She scrabbled inside to grab her phone.

How is your arm?

If she hadn’t been so relieved to hear from the man, she would’ve been pissed that he’d only texted four words.

My arm is fine. Can you please come home sooner?

Josie waited what seemed like forever for him to respond.

Okay, I’ll come home tomorrow.

Josie let out the breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding.

I’m so sorry, Josie

There’s nothing to be sorry about. She texted back.

She waited, but there wasn’t anything more. Still, his spare texts made it all better. She looked up and realized Chance was standing in front of her.

“Was that Sam?” he asked.

She nodded. “He said he would be home tomorrow.”

“Told you.” He smiled. “You ready for the grand tour?”

“Absolutely.”

They agreed to visit every stall. After purchasing her three bars of soap, she grabbed Chance’s arm, and tried to pull him to the next booth.