Wild Stars Seeking Midnight Suns by J. California Cooper Page B

here.”
    He wanted to hear more of the voice. He smiled down at her; she continued to keep her eyes down. “I was born here in this city, also. Where did you go to school?”
    She looked up, smiling one of her small, hesitant, charming smiles. Her white teeth flashed slightly, quickly. She answered him. With the white teeth showing against the dark skin, he noticed her color. He could think of no other questions to ask her. He realized he was staring at her; he remembered his friend looking at him. He remembered the box she was holding. He reached to take the box from her. “That box must be heavy, give it to me.” Her hands were quite warm as he touched them.
    It was not his usual job, but he wanted to hear more of her voice, and see her smile again, her eyes. He opened the box and commented on the work she had brought. “Maddy just keeps improving his work. This is very beautifully done. These items look as though they have never been worn.”
    Lily Bea’s heart smiled in pleasure at a compliment for her. She smiled her big smile that so few people ever saw. But Weldon Forest saw the smile that changed her whole face. He thought, “Why, she is a beautiful woman.”
    Lily Bea looked up in pride. “I did these, sir.”
    “You . . . you did this work?”
    “Yes sir, I love to work with such beautiful things. I just . . .” Suddenly she felt foolish. “I just love to feel them.”
    His skin began to feel very warm. He could even feel the red blush on his face as he thought, “What is wrong with me?” He said, “Let me see your hands?”
    Now she knew why Maddy made her cream her hands and wear gloves when she worked the steam press. She showed Weldon her hands, her long, slender, fine hands with the nails clean and clipped to her flesh. So smooth with the special creams her husband bought for this work at the cleaners. Because you must have nothing that can snag or pull on satins and silks. Brocades were stronger, but silks reacted quickly to everything.
    Mr. Forest did not touch strangers easily, but he reached out to take and examine her hands. She smiled up at him, anticipating his approval. He looked into her eyes unexpectantly, and instantly a tiny tingle in his spine made him let her hands go quickly, as he thought, “What is going on here?”
    He said to her, with a tremulous smile of his own, “Well, and it is very good work. I hope you shall continue.”
    Lily’s smile faded slowly, even as her heart held to its thrill of being complimented, and she turned to leave. The counterperson had returned.
    “Ohhh, wait,” Weldon Forest said, “I must pay you, and you must not leave your container. We don’t have a check ready, so I will pay you in cash. You can sign for it.”
    Lily turned back, smile gone, head bent down again. The container was being emptied, she waited to pick it up, and held her hand out for the money. Mr. Forest was not a foolish man; he would not flirt with a strange woman. He was unable to understand, himself, what was happening to him; he thought it nothing.
    He watched her write her name as she signed a receipt. He was also unable to help himself when he took the money from the clerk, and reached to hand it to Lily. He took her hand in his, held it as he placed the money in it. She was still looking down at the floor as her hand closed around the money. She turned to walk away.
    She was almost at the door, still bemused by the bright richness of the shop, when she heard Weldon ask, “Aren’t you going to count it?”
    She turned her face to him, and asked, “Do I need to?”
    The man was further enchanted by her trust. And, yes, the beauty he saw. He answered, “No, my dear, no, you don’t. Not when I pay you. But it makes good business to always count your money.” He thought a moment. “And our boy will deliver the next order to you, soon. I’m sure we have some things waiting already.”
    When she was gone, his friend, who had been patiently waiting and watching, asked,