Caleb had ignored her until a particularly feisty customer waited until his arm was above his head to pinch his ass.
This new one looked tame enough, with her cane and grandmotherly smile. She led him to a display near the back and pointed to a blue vase he was sure had been a shelf lower the last time he saw it. “Here you go,” Caleb said, keeping a grip on the heavy piece so the woman could examine it.
“That’s nice,” she said, touching his arm instead of the merchandise. “You’re such a sweet boy to help me with this.”
If she wanted the vase, she gave no indication.
“Should I set it behind the counter while you look around?” he asked, following Snow’s instructions to encourage as much browsing as possible.
“Nah,” she said, waving the suggestion away with one gnarled hand. “But maybe you should stay with me in case I see something else.”
“Happy to,” he said, searching for Snow in the crowd. At least all the older ladies were short, meaning he could pretty much see over everyone. But before he could spot her, Snow came up behind him.
“Hello, Mrs. Leibowitz. How are you today?” she asked the customer.
“I was having this nice young man help me do some shopping,” the older woman said, holding tight to Caleb’s wrist. “My grandson is in here somewhere, but that boy is useless.”
Caleb gave Snow a pleading look, but she’d already planned to rescue him. “Yes, my fiancé is very nice,” she said, putting emphasis on the fiancé part. “But I’m afraid I need his assistance with something else right now.” She waved to someone to their right, saying, “And here’s Jacob now.” A guy who looked slightly younger than Caleb joined them.
“I’ve been looking all over for you,” Jacob said. Noticing the vase in Caleb’s hand, he added, “You looked at that vase a little while ago and had me put it back on the top shelf. Why didn’t you tell me you wanted it then?”
If Lorelei learned about this one, Caleb would never hear the end of it.
“I’m old,” Mrs. Leibowitz said. “I’m entitled to change my mind.”
“You certainly are,” Snow said, her voice never losing its helpful tone. “You and Jacob keep looking around until you find something you absolutely love. And don’t forget, nearly every item in the store is on sale for fifty percent off, with everything along the back wall discounted even more.”
The older woman walked away with a grumble, leaving her grandson to trail behind.
“Why do I feel like I should have a price tag on my forehead?” Caleb asked.
Snow laughed. “You might as well put it a little lower, since that’s where you’re getting the most attention.” He tugged on a curl in retaliation, and she added, “I really do need you. Mrs. Handleman bought the dresser-turned-vanity for her B&B, and her husband needs your help to get it in his truck.”
“I can do that.” In truth, Caleb was happy to finally be useful. “Is he taking it out the front door?”
“I’ve asked him to pull around to the alley so we can load it out the back. Less shuffling of customers that way.”
After planting a hard kiss on her mouth, Caleb said, “I’m on it,” and charged off toward the back room, taking care not to cross Mrs. Leibowitz’s path.
Snow watched her husband squeeze past a shabby chic display and cut around a Pfaltzgraff china collection on his way to the back room. She couldn’t blame the little old ladies for wanting the hunky guy with the nice butt to give them some attention. So long as the young ladies didn’t get the same idea. Looking down at the beautiful ring on her left hand, she knew she was wearing a silly grin, but Snow didn’t care.
“Where is my son?” came a voice from behind her. A voice that could cut glass. Or Snow’s heart out.
Spinning, Snow stood face-to-face with Vivien McGraw, who was looking as brittle and cold as ever.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. Not in her wildest nightmares did Snow expect her mother-in-law to set foot in Ardent Springs, let alone her store.
“My son didn’t even call me yesterday, and I know that’s your doing.” Holding her Kate Spade purse tight against her side as if some small-town mugger might steal it at any moment, she said, “I told you not to do anything stupid. Now where’s my son?”
Determined not to let this woman make a scene and ruin her biggest selling day of the year, Snow kept her voice low. “It’s not as if I kidnapped him. Your son is here of his own free will.”
Vivien raised a brow. “Does he know?”