"Don't forget nighthawk call expert." He winked. His face sobered. "I'm still pretty disappointed I never got to use that."
I laughed. I was still wearing a large bandage wrapped completely around the foot that had no shoe. Hopefully if people noticed, they just thought I had an injury, not that I was using it to replace a shoe.
We walked across the large parking lot of the store and both jumped back slightly when the double doors in front of us opened before we even touched them. "What the . . .?" Xander said under his breath as we both looked around and up at the top of the doorway. We walked through tentatively and entered the massive, brightly lit store.
We wandered the aisles. When I looked over at Xander, his mouth was open and his eyes were filled with awe. I was sure I had the same look on my face. There was so much of . . . everything. And it was all so . . . colorful. One part of the store had clothes and shoes, and another part had soaps and grooming products, and one huge section even had food, all packaged up with bright pictures on the boxes.
"Have you ever seen stuff like this?" I asked Xander.
"Yeah, some at the ranger station, but never this much." He looked around in wonder.
"Let's get what we need and get back," I said. "We probably look like we're aliens from another galaxy the way we're looking around."
"Yeah, that or on some sort of drugs."
I laughed.
We each picked out a pair of shoes and made sure they fit on our feet. When I put my foot inside the padded sneaker and walked a few steps on it, I groaned. "Wow, this is nice," I said, bouncing slightly.
Xander laughed. "You look like an idiot."
"Look who's talking," I said, taking the shoe off. "You're trying on slippers."
Xander looked down at the brown leather bootie on his foot. "These aren't slippers."
"Yes they are. It says so right on the tag."
Xander turned over the tag at his ankle and read it. He took the bootie off and hung it back up on the rack. "I knew that."
I laughed.
"Listen, we only have about a hundred fifteen dollars, so let's spend as little as possible."
I nodded, checking the price tags on the shoes we'd just gotten. "Hopefully we can replenish some cash with the jewelry."
"Yeah, but that's not a sure thing yet."
I nodded. "We probably have enough in change to eat until we can get a hold of Kristi."
"Yeah, I'm gonna try her later. She leaves the ranger station at eight o'clock. I guess she'll be home at about nine . . . hopefully."
"Do you even know how to use a phone?"
"I'll figure it out. Anyway, Eden will know how."
"Oh, right, she will. Speaking of Eden, what size shoe do you think she wears?"
"Small."
"I don't think shoes come in small."
"I don't know then. Just take half your size. That's probably hers."
I picked out a pair of sandals that didn't have a back strap. I thought they'd be forgiving of size, even if I was a little off.
We were okay on clothes for now, but Eden needed something. We wandered through the girl's clothes, confused.
"Can I help you with anything?"
I turned around and a girl with a red shirt on was standing behind me. I looked down and her Target nametag said, "Ashleigh." Her eyes widened and she blinked at me. I guessed I looked pretty bad. I hadn't shaved in two days now. I cleared my throat.
"Hi, Ashleigh, uh, yes, I need something for my girlfriend and I've never picked out girl clothes before."
She got a disappointed look on her face, and I glanced at Xander, wondering if I'd said something wrong.
"Of course. Well, is this for an occasion, or just something casual?"
"Something casual."
"Well, a sundress always works. What about one of these?" She held up a dress with bright blue and green flowers that looked like it would barely cover Eden's breasts.
"Uh, something more . . . covered?" I asked.
Ashleigh sighed. "She could put a sweater over it." She held up a very, very short sweater with short sleeves. I looked between the dress and the "sweater," not liking the idea of Eden wearing either one.
"Is that what girls wear?"
Ashleigh stared at me. "Well . . . yeah."
"Looks good. We'll take it," Xander said.
Ashleigh looked over at him. "What size is she?"
"Small."
She nodded and dug through the racks, pulling out another one of the same dress and same sweater. She handed them to me. I smiled.
"Thanks for your help."
"No problem. Thanks for shopping at Target." She smiled a fake looking smile and walked away.
We walked back over to the aisles where we'd seen soap and picked up toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a brush for Eden. The hotel had all the other stuff we needed, and we didn't want to waste any money unnecessarily.