She placed the three bags on the counter next to her old-fashioned cash register and prayed that he would be writing a check, because if he used a credit card, she’d have to use their ancient slide machine. Something about this guy was sharp and contemporary, and he probably didn’t have a clue what an old credit-card machine like the store’s looked like.

She’d no more had the thought when the bell jingled again, only this time instead of Mr. Hunk, it was Brent Ludmore. Lauren felt her stomach knot and wished to high heaven he’d chosen another time to pop in. “Hey, Brent, what’s up?” she forced herself to ask.

“Not much. Just trying to keep the citizens of Water County safe for one more day.”

She laughed. “That’s pretty easy, I would think.” She regretted the words as soon as they came out of her mouth. He’d just told her at dinner the other night that illegal drug use was rampant in Fallen Springs, and the Sheriff’s Department was hiring more deputies just to keep up with it. “I didn’t mean that the way it came out,” she added, hoping to curb any hurt feelings her comment might have caused.

“Granted, it’s not the toughest job in the world of law enforcement, but we have our moments. I thought I’d stop by, check on you, see how your dad’s doing.”

“Dad’s just fine. He actually drove to Pine City yesterday to see Grandpa. If you didn’t know, you would think he was in perfect health. Yesterday was a good day, though. He’s starting a new medication, so I’m hoping he’ll have more good days rather than bad ones once he’s been on it for a while. I guess time will tell.”

Brent walked over to the empty display, where the music boxes had been. “What happened to all the fancy boxes?”

“I sold them,” she added, wanting to ask wasn’t it obvious, but she kept that thought to herself.

“Nice,” he said.

“Actually, I just sold them this morning. To a new customer. I sent the customer to Ruby’s so I’d have time to wrap them all.”

“A collector?” Brent asked.

“I don’t think so. They”—she didn’t want to say he because Brent would question her even more—“said they were buying them for a birthday gift. Apparently, the lucky person’s birthday is Christmas Day.”

“Not sure if I’d like that.”

“Me either, but it’s not like one has a choice,” she said, grinning. “It’s kind of out of your hands.” She thought of Madison’s new baby. Not a Christmas birthday but maybe a Fourth of July baby. That would be a bang, she thought.

“Pretty much,” Brent said.

She nodded.

“So, you have any plans tonight?” he asked.