The Key To Micah's Heart (Hell Yeah!) Read Free Page A

waited in line. His question had thrown her for a loop. Her blush confirmed his suspicions.
    Clearing her throat, she answered hesitantly. “Yes. Very nice indeed.”
    Micah smiled. Yea, he knew he was a tease. One after the other, he placed items on the motorized belt that carried the groceries from where he stood to the clerk. “Between you and me, I can’t believe I waited until the last minute to buy the buns.” H.E.B. was packed this time of day, but Micah had been on the phone with his publisher and couldn’t break away until almost five.
    Reluctantly, Helen managed to tear her gaze away from the handsome man to check out his cart. To her surprise, it was loaded to the brim with bags of rolls. “Good Lord, sir. How many do you have there?”
    Micah stopped and tapped a finger against his lips. “Well, Helen, my goal was to get two hundred rolls for dinner. I’ll tell you the truth, the lady behind the counter wasn’t too happy with yours truly.” Knowing his charm would go a long way to easing her distress, he continued his playful banter. “I cleared out the bakery section, then moved on to the pre-packed buns. And between you and me…” Micah leaned across the counter and motioned for the harried woman to come closer. “By that time, I was just chunking bags into the cart. I lost count somewhere around one-fifty.” Tipping his cap back, he crossed his arms over his wide chest, staring at the mound of bread. “Honestly, sweetheart, there could be anywhere from a hundred and eighty to three hundred and fifty buns in here for all I know. I guess we could dig through and count them all, but I say we just call it two-fifty and move on. I’ve got places to be.”
    She didn’t often carry on conversations with customers, but this man’s friendly attitude made Helen feel bold. “It is cold out there. I imagine the best place to be is curled up in front of a warm fire.”
    “Yea, with a sexy lady in my arms.” Letting his eyes smolder, he gave Helen a wink. Some people might think he was a prick for doing it, but Micah seldom let the opportunity to flirt slip by him, it was just his nature. And if it got him out of the grocery store without having to count every single bun individually, even better.
    Helen seemed to mull the suggestion over in her mind. The evening rush of people stopping to shop on their way home from work was almost over. She probably had only a few minutes left on her shift, then she could go home and get off her feet for a spell.
    “What do you think, Helen?” For a moment, Micah figured his teasing banter might backfire. She might decide to keep him around a while longer. Glancing behind him, he saw a line three deep and one man tapping his foot with a tense look on his face as if he could get them to hurry by sheer will alone.
    With a big smile, Helen seemed to throw caution to the wind. She gave him an unexpected wink. “Okay, Mr. Sexy Buns, we’ll do it your way. Two-fifty you say?”
    Micah’s face lit up and he couldn’t have held back the surprised snort if he tried. “Why, thank-you. Yes, ma’am. Might be a few more, might be a few less. Can’t be sure.”
    “Two-fifty it is.” Helen rang up the sale and he paid, leaving her a generous tip.
    “Thanks, see you later, Helen.”
    “Be safe.”
    As he buttoned up his coat before facing the unfriendly night air, Micah caught a glimpse of Helen in the reflective surface of the door. If he wasn’t mistaken, she watched him go with a look of longing. The thought made him smile. “Always leave ‘em wanting more,” he whispered his own personal motto.
    Blowing out a breath that was visible in the chilly air, Micah raced the cart through the parking lot, taking a few big strides before hopping on the back of the cart with both feet and riding it for a bit.
    “Evening, ladies.” Micah doffed his cap at a group of mature women heading determinedly towards the store as if embarking on an important mission. One of them gave