Forever My Baby. Jacquelin Thomas

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      “What brings you to Edisto Island, Ryker DuGrandpre?”

      Ryker looked down to see Kai steal another peek at the bear.

      “My family and I came here for the weekend,” he explained. “We had just had lunch and were heading to the car when Kai discovered this shop.” Ryker glanced around. “Are you the manager?”

      “I’m the owner, actually.”

      Ryker did not miss the subtle lifting of her chin as she spoke. “You really have a beautiful store.”

      She smiled. “Thank you. I’m very proud of it.”

      “I thought chain stores had taken over, but it’s good to see smaller boutiques are still holding strong in the area.”

      Garland smiled. “This neighborhood happens to be a haven of small and wonderful shops on the island. I love that they are all within walking distance from one another.”

      She glanced down at Kai again. “She looks like a little fairy princess. I believe I have the perfect outfit for her. It matches the dress that the bear is wearing and comes complete with wings.”

      “I can already tell that I’m not leaving the store without that bear, so I’ll take the outfit, too.” Just then, Kai raced from his side and grabbed the bear off the shelf. She quickly returned to his side and tugged at his hand.

      The sound of a tinkling bell caught his attention and he heard familiar voices.

      “Sorry, Mom, but not this time. I’m really not interested in being hooked up with the nephew of one of your friends.”

      “And why not?” The woman glanced over at them and said, “We’ll discuss this later.” She then made her way toward where he, Kai and Garland stood.

      “Honey, I thought that I saw you come in here,” she said, approaching them.

      “My mother,” he said by way of introductions.

      “Hello. I’m Garland Warner,” Garland said cheerfully.

      “This is Parker’s sister, Mom. She owns this boutique.”

      “Parker was a wonderful young man. We all miss him.” Rochelle’s eyes traveled the length of the store. “Your shop is lovely and very original. This is the perfect place for children to explore their fantasies.”

      “That’s exactly what I had in mind when I opened it,” Garland said.

      Rochelle took Kai by the hand and said to the group, “We’re going over here to look at some dresses.”

      Ryker met Garland’s gaze. “I can’t believe I’ve run into you twice in a week after all of these years. It must be fate.”

      Garland let out a small laugh.

      “It really is good to see you again,” he told her.

      “Ryker, it’s nice seeing you, too.”

      “I still go out to the cemetery to visit Parker.”

      Garland seemed surprised by his words. “Really?”

      He nodded. “He was...is still my best friend.”

      “I miss him terribly,” she admitted. “Losing both Dad and Parker has taken a toll on Mama. She has good days and bad days.” After a brief pause, she added, “She’s not the same woman you remember, Ryker.”

      “He took a part of all of us when he left,” Ryker stated.

      Garland nodded.

      “It’s good to see that you’re doing so well. You have always been such a creative spirit.”

      “Business is great,” she told him. “In fact, I’m thinking of adding a second store in Charleston.”

      “I think it’s a good idea.”

      Then Garland gave Ryker a sneak peek at a new collection that was not yet on the sales floor. Ryker could feel the heat of his mother’s gaze on them as they moved around the store. Her eyes seemed to follow Garland’s every movement.

      Ryker settled on purchasing several items for Kai, which seemed to thrill Garland.

      As she assisted an employee with bagging up his purchases, Ryker peered at her intently.

      “Are you sure you don’t want to take another look at the Laurent Princess collection in the back?” Garland inquired.

      “No, thank you,” he said with a grin. “I think that I need to get my daughter out of here right now before she finds something else she wants.”

      Garland laughed. “I understand. I have to keep my own daughter out of the shop. She thinks she should personally own everything here.”

      “You have children?” he asked, his eyes straying to her left hand.

      “One,” she responded. “I have a daughter.”

      Ryker stepped closer to embrace Garland. “I meant what I said,” he told her. “Let’s get together soon.”

      “It was very nice meeting you, Miss Warner,” Rochelle interjected. “You have a lovely store.”

      “Thank you.”

      “Son, we’d better get Kai home. She’s sleepy and you know how she gets when she’s tired.”

      He glanced over at Garland and said, “I hope to hear from you soon.”

      Ryker gave her one final smile before quickly escorting his daughter out the door. Kai had just spotted another stuffed animal. He needed to get her out of the store before she begged him to buy it.

      * * *

      “Do you know that man?” her employee asked in a low whisper after Ryker and his family had exited the shop.

      “He’s a DuGrandpre, Robyn,” Garland responded with a tiny smile. “Ryker DuGrandpre.”

      “I knew he looked familiar. There was a huge feature about their law firm in one of the magazines I read recently.” Robyn broke into a grin before adding, “He’s handsome, don’t you think?”

      “And very married,” Garland stated. “Or didn’t you notice the wedding ring on his finger?” However, she noted that he had not mentioned his wife in their conversation at all. But still Ryker was very good-looking with firm muscles. It was obvious that he spent a lot of time at the gym working out and taking great care of his body. And his aftershave was as delicious as his appearance.

      “I never moved past his face,” Robyn responded with a shake of her head.

      She laughed. “You’re bad.”

      “There’s no harm in looking, Garland.”

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