He's Got Her Goat Read Free

young mother’s eyes widened. “If this works on my C-section scar, I will go through the moon.”
    One of them seemed skeptical. “Sometimes these herbal places make claims . . .”
    The children were getting soaked, and the overspray was leaving puddles, but Paige had to explain. “Not many people know goat milk contains beta-caseins that are easily absorbed into the skin. They act as an agent to allow for greater delivery of known healing agents.”
    “Sold,” the first woman said. “I’ll take three, and if it works, I know fifteen women that will be here next week.”
    Paige ran the woman’s card and was soon waving farewell to the cute little blonde boy who trotted after his mother and retreating friends. Rolling up her sleeves, she grabbed the quickly shrinking roll of paper towels and got on her knees to wipe up. She had barely begun when a cold hand clasped her shoulder.
    Startled, she leapt to her feet. When she saw her friend, Austin Ricks, Paige threw her arms around his neck. He still looked fourteen even though she guessed he was only about six years younger than she was. “You came!”
    Austin patted her back with the warmth of a robot until she pulled away. “I told you I would visit.” His tone was serious.
    How wonderful that he hadn’t changed. Sure, he floundered in most social situations and said whatever was on his mind even if it was entirely tactless, but she adored his lack of guile and his honest heart. “And when you say something, it always happens. I remember.” She handed him some paper towels and got back to her knees. “You can take that side if you want. So, tell me what you’re up to now that you’re a big graduate.”
    Austin scrubbed the cement and brass ground so hard his towel felt apart. Okay, so another of his faults was his tendency to be a bit too thorough, but that had saved her GPA the last semester of graduate school. He grabbed a second paper towel while he talked. “I’m still interning for that firm in the city but finish up next month and hope to get hired full-time. Next month, that is.”
    An older woman squealed from a distance and dragged her middle-aged companion toward them. “I finally found you! Your booth is so different I didn’t recognize it.” She marched up to Paige. “My daughter’s got this horrible crocodile neck. See it? I keep telling her cream is not enough.”
    The daughter reddened. “Mother.”
    Paige could see the family resemblance around the nose and cheeks.
    Ignoring her grown daughter’s clear embarrassment, the older woman opened her purse. “Your Apricot Almond Oil, that’s what she needs.”
    Paige could feel the heat in her cheeks and imagined she had turned almost as red as the daughter. “I’m so sorry. I’ve sold out, but I’ve got five other kinds, two of which might work. Would you like to try some—”
    “Sold out?” The older woman snapped her purse shut. “It’s only the first day. That’s like going to school without your homework done.”
    “I know.” Paige wished now she had left the booth earlier to restock. “I can have some here in about half an hour as long as Austin doesn’t mind covering for me.”
    The obstinate woman looked to her watch. “That would be adequate. We’ve got some other shopping to do and will be back. Half an hour, it is.”
    Paige knew that one bad review on her website could be a real setback. If her predictions were correct, she could double output within the year. Once her inventory was up, she’d need every testimonial. A woman as determined as that could push sales either way.
    Hoping Austin wouldn’t mind, she turned back to the pump, but he wasn’t there. She combed the walkway and was surprised to see him huddled beside a man she’d never met before. Going up to the pair, she had a strange feeling they were talking about her. “Can I have Austin back for a second?” She shoved her hands in her pockets, waiting for a response. He didn’t move.
    Austin