Free If Wishes Were Horses by Joey W. Hill Page A

goddess.

    39

    Joey W. Hill
    He doubted she had much interest in the  crotchless panties she was fingering, but they were producing some delightful images  in his mind. By  the Goddess, there were times that his choice of profession was a detriment. He was glad for the plywood door at the back of the display case, otherwise  his erection would have put to shame any sexual aid in the store and likely scared Laura and her niece into the next county. Hemanaged a focused and warm smile for them  as he gave them their receipt for theirspecial order items, but he knew he wasn’t fooling the older woman. Laura’s gazeflickered between him and Sarah’s rigid back, and she  had a knowing smile as she and  Janet took their leave, wandering out onto the porch with comfortable female chatterand the expected giggles about the gargoyle.
    Sarah did not immediately turn around, even  as they left the porch and made their way into  the parking lot. Her fingers still rested on the silk of the panties, absently moving as if she was using her repetitive strokes on the soft texture to soothe herself.  She didn’t realize that there was a small mirror on the far wall for checking out jewelry choices. If she had known, he was sure  she would not have allowed him to see her staring off into space, a bleakness in her eyes.
    “Do you have a faith, Chief Sarah?” he asked quietly.
    Her shoulders tensed. “Why would you ask that?”
    “Because I think you do, and you seem  a little disappointed in it right now.”
    “Well, most things don't live up to your expectations.”
    “Last night did.” He watched her still profile, the fair brow and straight set of her firm mouth.  “I'm hard as a rock now, just thinking about it.”
    She did turn now, her eyes remote. “You're a pretty savvy salesman, Herne.” She jerked her head toward the parking lot. “She  comes in here to buy  some skimpy nighty to impress her groom and you’ve got her  paying for a whole production number.”
    “Tell me, Chief, do you always whip out  the jaded cop routine to shore up your defenses, or  do you have something more fresh and original?”
    Sarah stiffened. “About as original as  dodging an accusation with a personal
    insult.”
    He pressed his lips together, and she  had the distinct impression he was suppressing amusement. “Very good,” he said. “Well then, I guess I could mention that their first joining is supposed to be sacred.”
    “Do you think, for anybody getting married these days, it's the first time?”
    “It’s their first time as husband and wife,  lifetime mates. That makes it sacred, and  special.” He leaned back against the stool, crossed his arms again in  that way that drew  her eye to the fine lines of his upper body. “Yes,” he nodded, “it does bring me more  sales if they see it that way, but it also  gives them something as well. The marriage ceremony will pass in a haze of apprehension  of last minute details.” His eyes widened  and his voice altered to mimic a breathless  bride. “Will Grandpa So-n-So get drunk at  the reception? Will the caterers remember  to pour the champagne at just the right  time?”

    40

    If Wishes  Were  Horses

    His voice returned to its normal tone, and  he pinned  her with the intensity of  thoseblue eyes. “That night, when it’s just the two  of them, that will  be the first time it willsink in, those vows they exchanged. Not just the words,  but the meaning beneath them.  They'll know from here forward, it’s the  two of them.” He blinked, once. “A good salesperson only sells a person what they truly want, and what will benefit their lives. If you do anything else, you're no better than  Dr. Feelgood, peddling his sugar-water cure-alls.”
    “Until what God has brought together,  time and job stress rend asunder,” she retorted, fighting to draw a breath against the fist of emotion squeezing the air from her  lungs.
    “Is that