He's Got Her Goat

by Christine

  “Oh, we are late.” He shot to his feet. “Can you get ready in ten minutes?”

  “Of course.” She laughed, thinking how many times she’d gotten ready in a third of that time. She headed to the bathroom and heard him whistle behind her.

  “You are one amazing lady.” He carried the plates to the sink and turned on the water. “It used to take my sister an hour to shower and get made up.”

  Oh great. She had only planned on brushing her teeth and changing her shirt since she’d slept in it. Now he expected her to shower and put on makeup, too? She supposed she could look on it as a challenge. Determined to show him, she rushed to the bathroom and slammed the door.

  STERLING WASHED THE LAST OF THE DISHES and loaded the boxes ready to be shipped in the back of the Honda along with the new soap for the day’s inventory. The apple clock read seven-twenty-tw0, and he was getting nervous. Then Paige emerged from the hall.

  The first thing he noticed was her fitted jeans. He’d only seen her in baggy overalls. Her coral jacket would be appropriate in any business environment, and she wore heels. Dressed like that she would fit in anywhere. “You’re beautiful.”

  She ducked her head, grabbed the keys and hurried out the door. He wondered if he’d offended her.

  The ride was quiet. His palms were sweating, and he felt like he was in high school all over again, interested in a girl but unsure she felt the same way. Shifting in his seat, he blamed his state of mind on only two hours of sleep. He turned to his professional training to get his bearings. His real problem was that he lacked established goals. Normally, every decision he made was based on a solid plan. The bigger picture dictated that by noon tomorrow he’d go back to his own career and probably never see Paige Lindon again. The thought didn’t make him happy, but then neither did fifteen hour workdays or half of the little jobs he was asked to do. Still, they were necessary if he was to achieve what he wanted. He had to keep his eye on the prize. When that was done, he could slow down. Who knows, if Paige was still available, they might even date then.

  Feeling more himself, Sterling focused on the original request that had brought him here, to find out more about the business. Time to get to work. “So,” he asked Paige, “are most of these mail orders to individuals?”

  She seemed startled by the question. “No, not really. I targeted the Northwest high end spas and specialty boutiques. Building on good references, I’ve got enough retailers to keep me busy. My only individual sales are at the farmers’ market.”

  “Northwest . . . does that include Northern California?”

  She shook her head. “I’m only in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.”

  “So how much do these weekends increase your bottom line?”

  She peeked over her shoulder before taking a left into the parking lot. “If you look at opportunity costs, I’m losing money. I already told you that’s not why I do it.”

  “You lose money to spend a weekend stressed out, on your feet and accosted by idiots?” His question sounded sharper than he intended. Another result of his sleep deprivation, he supposed.

  She turned off the ignition and faced him. “These are my friends. What I do is far more a passion than a business, anyway. Many of these customers have been with me from the beginning. They’re the reason I’m where I am today.”

  “And where are you today?” He tried to sound reasonable though he doubted her answer would be.

  “If you only knew.” She lowered her head. “I still have thousands of dollars I owe in school loans, an equity loan I used to buy equipment, and let’s not even talk about taxes next month. But I’m working as hard as I can. I don’t know what else I can do.”

  “Get a real job.” He knew he was being harsh, but he had to call it the way he saw it. “For how much time and effort you are committing, you could excel in any field you chose. Instead, you do all this work for a crappy car and a house that’s as old as my grandmother. I don’t get it.”

  “You don’t have to.” She opened her car door and slammed it behind her.

  He climbed out of his seat and went to the back of the car to lift the heavy box of soap, but she already had it and was bustling across the parking lot. He locked up and took his time walking to the canopy. He wanted to punch something. Seeing her killing herself, working so hard for so little, wasn’t even logical. How could he endure watching her crash and burn another day when she should be so much more?

  PAIGE DROPPED THE BIG BOX OF SOAP on the display counter and kicked the cedar chair. It didn’t budge, but it nearly broke her foot. She'd forgotten she was wearing heels and not sneakers. Where did Sterling get off anyway? When he complimented her after getting ready for the day, she was sincerely flattered. No one had talked to her like that but Joe, and he didn’t count. Due to complete brain fog, she had clammed up. It was the first time she could see herself actually liking someone that liked her back, and it terrified her. At least until after their most recent conversation in the car. Where did he get off judging her? She was doing fine, and she could keep this booth if she wanted it.

  To be honest with herself, she didn’t only want to do this, she needed to. Otherwise, she’d never see anyone. She couldn’t imagine spending day in and day out, milking and mailing endlessly. She couldn’t spend her life completely alone.

  A bull horn sounded, kicking her into action. Like the starting line of a race, the barrier at the north entrance was removed, and shoppers sprinted forward. For many it was a form of entertainment, and they had no intention of spending more than a few dollars, but for others it was a serious way of life, collecting treasures that couldn’t be had anywhere else. Four young woman bustled up to Paige all at the same time, each holding a pale green, torn paper with Sterling’s writing on it. Their receipts.

  She delivered their promised product while collecting the other half of their money and was a little surprised that Sterling hadn’t arrived yet. If he didn’t work, she wasn’t going to pay him. Then she recalled all he’d done the night before and knew she’d pay him no matter what. In truth, she was more worried than mad. Did he decide to leave? She supposed he had every right to.

  A familiar woman neared, and Paige broke into an uncomfortable grin. “Julie!” As Joe’s heiress approached, Paige could feel her cheeks flaming. Although she had nothing to feel guilty about, the new cedar booth said it all.

  Julie’s long silky hair, short jumpsuit and designer hippie bag all reflected her impeccable taste. Like Elaine, she had propositioned Paige multiple times to have her wealthy father bankroll her expansion. And like she always did with Elaine, Paige had declined. She knew she had to take things to the next level, but it wasn’t until Sterling had said, “Where are you now?” that she had gotten a vision of where she wanted to go.

  If she could build a small core of employees that she could trust as the next crop of goats came due, and if the new animals had the higher fat and enzyme counts she hoped for, she could take her business to the next level within a year. Renewed hope that it might really happen infused her. Whether it was having Sterling there or getting enough sleep for the first time in months, she wasn’t sure. But deep in her heart, she hoped Sterling would be one of those people. By next year, she might be at a place to partner with Elaine or Julie or both, so keeping her current client happy was a priority.

  Julie placed her hands on Paige’s shoulders and held her at arm’s length, so she could inspect her. “What have you done to yourself?”

  Wracking her brain, Paige wondered what she was talking about. She hadn’t gained weight or cut her hair. “What do you mean?”

  “You look gorgeous. It must be your new man.” She nudged Paige with her elbow and started fishing around in her bag.

  “I don’t have a new man. Did Joe say something to you?” She thought about the whole dinner invitation debacle from last night.

  “Joe? He’s so yesterday.” She gave out three titters of fake laughter and stopped. Tucking in her chin, Julie stared down
Paige like she would an errant child. “Why did I have to hear that you’d begun to take personal orders from a friend? She said this cowboy actually washed her hands for her with your new flavors. Brilliant marketing ploy, by the way, like a mash up of Bodyworks and Chippendales. Can’t you see it becoming the new thing at the mall?” She sat in the Adirondack chair, leaned back and pulled out her cellphone. “Tell him I’m ready.”

  Paige was sure Julie must have been mistaken. On the other side of the main drag, there was a masseuse tent. Maybe that’s what her friend was talking about. She was about to deny the entire thing when she caught sight of Sterling perusing the jewelry canopy across the way. “I’ll get him.”

  Julie was busy texting. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  With each step more doubt crept in. Could that be how he had gotten all those sales? By being a shameless flirt? Her eyes bore into the young jewelry maker giggling at Sterling across the way. Was that what he was doing right now with the female vendor? She stopped, trying to put things in perspective. He’d never really flirted with her at all. He’d only been a perfect gentleman and a hard worker. But, she couldn’t help thinking, what if he was smart enough to figure out those were the qualities she was looking for. Fancy words and flexing muscles only pushed her away.

  “Hey,” she interrupted him and could have sworn he looked like he’d been caught doing something inappropriate. “You’ve got someone at the tent waiting for you.”

  Sterling seemed alarmed. “For me? But no one knows I’m here.”

  “Well, apparently your secret is getting around. When did you plan on telling me?”

  He took Paige’s arm and guided her off to a corner. “I wanted to wait until I got more information but certainly at the end of this I would share my results. It’s only fair.”

  “Results.” Paige bit her bottom lip, trying to figure out what he was talking about. “From washing women’s hands?”

  “What? Uh, yeah,” Sterling let out a long breath. “I was trying out new sales techniques.”

  “I’ve got to see this.” Paige followed him back to the booth, actually wishing just the opposite.

  Chapter Ten

  STERLING WANTED TO RUN AWAY. It was cowardly, but this whole situation was coming down around his ears, and sometimes the best course of action was to cut your losses and not look back. Isn’t that what he’d done with his family? He might have done it here, too, if Paige’s eyes hadn’t met his. There was something in them that seemed vulnerable, even hurt. It couldn’t be the little tiff they had in the car. He was only trying to protect her. Nope, it had to be Julie. She must have told her something. What were the chances the spoiled heiress would be right here right now?

  Could his secretary have told her where he was? No, Dotty didn’t have a clue he was here. This was a secret favor for Elaine. Then it hit him.

  Julie was here because Paige’s soaps were that good. For a girl that bought filet mignon for her schnauzer, going for a drive in the country to purchase an overpriced specialty beauty bar only available at certain times of year made total sense. Julie was right in Paige’s target market. Why should he be surprised?

  Paige folded her arms as she stood before him, giving him the same glare his sister used to when she heard a particular rumor about him at school. He was a goner. Might as well just ‘fess up’ and get it over with. “I can explain.”

  He wished she was still wearing overalls. It would be easier to disappoint her in those. “I’m waiting,” she said.

  “I never planned on that sort of approach.” He lifted his palms. “It just happened.”

  She pointed back to her booth. “How does washing women’s hands for them just happen? And now Julie’s expecting the same treatment.”

  Relieved, he let out a sigh that carried half a laugh. “Is that all she’s expecting?”

  Paige placed her hands on her hips. “No, what about a full strip tease act?”

  Sterling wouldn’t put it past her. “Really?”

  “Of course not.” Paige grew serious. “I don’t think we’re on the same page when it comes to what I’m doing here. My soap cakes don’t need gimmicks to sell. The formulas are based on proven scientific methods. I’ve spent years tweaking them. They really help people. Did you even know I have a degree in bio-chemistry?”

  “Wait, I heard it was in business.”

  “That’s my undergrad and not the point.” She shook her head. A spiraled tendril escaped her hair tie and framed one cheek. “I’m trying to build something here. To make a difference.”

  He laid his hand over hers and lowered his tone. “Paige. One girl had soapy hands and didn’t want to touch the pump. I helped her get the water going. That’s it, I swear.”

  Her eyes squinted, and he could tell she wasn’t convinced. “That’s not what Julie said.”

  “I’m telling the truth,” Sterling said.

  She rubbed her forehead. “Well, whatever you did to Julie’s friend yesterday, she wants the same treatment.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  Paige wagged her chin. “She adores my products, and I may need her father’s help when I want to expand. This would be a huge favor.”

  If he said no, the chances of Julie letting his real identity slip would be huge. While washing her hands, maybe he could figure out a way to keep this whole thing under wraps. At least until the end of the weekend, for Paige’s benefit. “I suppose this once wouldn’t hurt.”

  Julie had her rhinestone-covered cell inches from her nose and didn’t lower it until he was standing right in front of her. The shock on her face was priceless. He could see all the way to her tonsils, her mouth was that far open. She gawked from him to Paige and back to him. “Oh, this is too much.” Then she turned to Paige. “So you two are a thing? Paige, I never knew we had such similar tastes in men.”

  “No, it’s only business,” Paige said.

  Julie winked Sterling’s direction. “I know about that type of business. I can see it all over him. So where did you two meet?”

  “Here, actually.” He offered, hoping to circumvent the conversation.

  “That’s kind of romantic, and I love the duds. Are those real cowboy boots?” She seemed to be relishing every minute of this.

  Sterling was having the opposite reaction. “Yup, sure ‘nuff,” he said with a drawl.

  “Cute.” Apparently losing interest, Julie dropped her bag on the floor and dumped her cell inside it. “I’m ready for you to wash my hands now, lover boy.” She wiggled in her seat and smiled with artificially whitened teeth.

  Sterling could hardly believe the minefield around him was intact. Paige still didn’t know he was anything more than a day worker, but one wrong move, and it could explode in his face. He walked over to the pump and grasped the handle. “Do you know what kind you’d prefer?”

  She bit her lip suggestively. “Oatmeal Shea Butter, please.”

  Grabbing one of the bars, he unwrapped it and returned to the pump. Julie was smiling at him like she had something wicked in mind. He pumped the water, which flowed clear. “If you would come right over here and wet your hands, we can begin.”

  Julie didn’t move. “No, I think you should wash my feet instead.” She kicked off her beaded flip flops and strummed her pedicured toes against the cement.

  He glanced at Paige who seemed to be pleading at him with her eyes then back at Julie who was reveling in his discomfort.

  “Let’s do this.” He knelt at her feet and realized he didn’t have the equipment to fulfill her request. In his periphery he caught sight of a large metal bowl at the florist next to him. The older woman was not there. Instead, a pleasant blonde in her mid-twenties gave him a tiny wave.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said.

  He leapt up and asked the girl if he could borrow her bowl. Without asking why, she agreed. He filled it at the pump and set the cool water at Julie’s feet. She clapped her hands in glee and said to Paige, “I can’t believe
he’s going to go through with it. You’ve got him wrapped around your little finger.”

  Sterling gently placed her foot in the water and lifted it. Julie whispered in his ear. “Does she even know who you really are?”

  He tried to return her conspirator’s expression. “Not half of it.”

  Satisfied, Julie sat back to enjoy her foot massage and called to Paige. “You better watch out for this one. He’s a real heartbreaker.”

  “I can see that.” Paige’s answer didn’t have the gusto of her wealthy friend.

  Julie laughed. “Well, when you’re done with him, send him my way. I don’t mind taking your leftovers.”

  Being spoken of like you were a slab of meat did nothing to improve his opinion of the wealthy girl before him. Right now Sterling was glad he’d never called her back, and the next time they spoke, he’d have no problem telling her what he thought.

  Clearing his mind as to whom the appendage belonged to, he focused on the job at hand and rubbed the soap along the top of her foot, producing an excited giggle from the heiress. Bending his knee, he lodged her foot against his thigh, so he could lather the soap. That’s when he noticed that this soap was like nothing he had ever felt before. It lathered thick and foamy with the consistency of old fashioned shaving cream. The fragrance was sweet, soothing and earthy. He rinsed the foot and could immediately tell the difference. The skin was supple but not oily. This stuff was incredible.

  He started on the other foot, working the soap up to a deeper lather, then rinsing and lathering again with less water to see how the product would respond. Less water produced less bubbles but had a more luxurious feel while you worked it, and when you washed it off, left the same velvety texture.

  About a dozen people were watching him. He’d been so drawn to the soap he hadn’t seen them there. As Julie slid her sandals back on, he sat on his heels and shook his head. The soap was miraculous and worth every penny. Yesterday he had only encouraged the woman to use it. He’d never touched it himself. Sterling caught Paige’s attention. “I hadn’t realized.”