Aint too proud to beg sfdg-1 Read Free Page A

lips. Then, very slowly, he raised his right index finger to the upper left pocket of his blue vest.
    He pointed to his embossed nametag.
    The names Rick, he said.
    Lordy, the elderly man said.
    The whole point of Josies return had been to redeem herself, to reveal her bold and decisive nature. Instead, shed just crowned herself Queen of the Dorks.
    Nice to meet you, Josephine, Rick said. He reached out his hand to grasp hers.
    My friends call me Josie. His hand was hot and smooth and the palm-to-palm contact was so thrilling that her knees threatened to buckle. Okay, so she might have grasped his hand a little too tightly, but he managed to retrieve it.
    The old gentleman groaned. For Gods sake, girlie, just hurry up and ask the boy for a date so I can go home and get some shut-eye!
    Rick lowered his gaze toward the keyboard and Josie couldnt tell if he was laughing or embarrassed, but she did notice he had incredibly thick, long, dark eyelashes. She stood in awed silence, realizing the universe had filled her order not within thirty days, like that schlubby woman on TV, but within thirty freakin /minutes!/ Shed just been served at the drive-through of true love!
    Yep, she was still breathing all right, and according to Mrs. Needleman, that was the only prerequisite for finding a life. But could she be brave enough? She took a deep breath and went for it.
    Rick, Id like you to join me for a cup of coffee sometime.
    The skinhead chose that moment to walk past with his wiener dog. Be careful, /mate,/ or shell spill it all over you.
    Rick nodded, obviously trying not to laugh, then he looked at Josie square-on, those magical green eyes cutting her to the core. I think Id enjoy that, Josie. Ill give you a call later.
    Thank God, the old man said.
    She was about to ask Rick at which number she could expect to receive the call and his specific definition of the term later, but she restrained herself. Great! A huge smile spread across her face. Ill talk to you later, then!
    Is this a pet store or a singles joint? the elderly man with the Afghan snapped at Rick impatiently. Thats the problem with business todayall anyone thinks about is sex! What happened to customer service?
    Rick blinked, stunned, watching Josie Sheehan and her Labradoodle clear the double glass doors of the store. What had just happened to him? His skin was tingling and his face felt hot and his head was spinning. His heart felt as if it were filled to capacityand he didnt even know he /had/ a capacity. It felt as if part of his spirit had just cracked open, and he didnt know whether to fear the breach or welcome it.
    For a man who had long prided himself on being impenetrable to women, the whole encounter had left him off balance. Rick heard himself laughing. The sound of it surprised him.
    Son, get your mind out of the gutter and do your job or I will have to speak to your boss.
    Rick gave his head a quick shake and focused on his customer. Im very sorry about that, he said, smiling.
    Theres no need to involve my boss. Now what can I do for you?
    He registered the old mans Afghan hound and then a King Charles spaniel before his stint at the grooming counter was done. Next, Rick helped in the stockroom and attended the sales associates meeting, but all he could do was think of her, the woman with the hair as wild as her dogs.
    Rick shared a pizza with the manager of the fish and aquarium department, but afterward, he couldnt remember a single word hed said during the meal. Late that afternoon, while helping set up chairs for the evenings free dog-training introduction class, Rick wondered if he might be coming down with the flu. That had to be it.
    A little before five P.M., his cell phone rang. It was a call he had expected sooner or later, but the news was a horrible shock nonetheless.
    All thoughts of Josie Sheehan and her funny dog vanished.
    She stopped checking her e-mail and voice mails just before midnight.
    But, just in case, Josie took her portable home