8 Sandpiper Way by Debbie Macomber Page B

she’d finally given up.
    “I’d like to go to Wal-Mart, James.”
    His back stiffened ever so slightly. “Wal-Mart, Miss?”
    “You heard me.” Teri couldn’t quite restrain a smile.
    James knew very well that Christie was currently employed as a cashier at the local Wal-Mart.
    “Right away, miss.”
    Teri relaxed in the luxurious leather seat as she listened to the soothing music coming from the speakers. “What are you playing, James?” she asked.
    “Vivaldi, miss. The Four Seasons. ”
    She nodded. “I like it.”
    James preferred classical and used his own CDs. Early on, she’d requested he find a country-western radio station instead, and to his credit, he’d done so. Only when she saw him insert cotton balls in his ears did she stop requesting anything other than the classical music he chose. She’d come to see beauty in it and not boredom.
    She was fond of James, more than fond; she now considered him a friend, although she let him impose the limits on their friendship. She also felt he was perfect for her sister.
    The problem was that Christie was so closemouthed about the relationship. James was even worse. The two of them were equally adept at keeping secrets.
    When they pulled into the Wal-Mart lot, she saw dozens of cars circling, searching for a parking space. Christmas shoppers were out in full force, although it was a midweek afternoon and still early in the month.
    “James, do you have plans for Christmas?” Teri asked curiously. She knew so little about him.
    “Plans? No, Miss Teri.”
    “You won’t be traveling anywhere to visit family or friends?”
    “No, miss.”
    She forged ahead. “I hope you’ll join Bobby and me, then.”
    He hesitated.
    “No need for a response just yet,” she assured him. “The invitation is open.”
    “Thank you, miss.”
    He parked by the front entrance, leaped out and came around to open her door.
    “Give me an hour, James.”
    “Yes, Miss Teri.”
    She walked into the store, receiving curious looks and hearing a few veiled whispers. Okay, so maybe not everyone in town was accustomed to seeing her with a driver.
    Checking the long row of cashiers, Teri saw Christie in Lane Ten. Without looking, she grabbed a handful of sale items, had a word with the manager and then stood in her sister’s line.
    She waited patiently for her turn, then set the Thanksgiving decorations she’d scooped up on the counter.
    “Merry Christmas,” Christie said automatically before she looked up and saw it was Teri. “What are you doing here?” she demanded in a fierce whisper.
    “You didn’t return any of my phone calls,” Teri whispered back. “I didn’t know if you were alive or dead.”
    “Alive. I’ve been working a lot of extra hours. In case you hadn’t noticed, this is the Christmas season.”
    “I noticed.”
    Christie’s supervisor approached the register and placed a Closed sign behind Teri. “Lane Three is opening up,” she told the other customers. “Christie, take your lunch break now.”
    “So soon?” Christie asked. “Shouldn’t Cookie go first?”
    “No, she shouldn’t,” Teri inserted. “I asked your supervisor to give you your break so you and I could talk.”
    “Teri!”
    “What was I supposed to do?”
    “Fine. I should’ve known you wouldn’t leave well enough alone.” Christie slapped the sales items in a white plastic bag and handed it to Teri, then collected payment. When she’d finished, Christie checked her watch. “This isn’t going to take long, is it?”
    “That depends on you,” Teri responded.
    They decided to eat at the fast-food place near the store. Once they’d ordered, they were fortunate enough to find a vacant table, although the place was busy. Christie opened her container of chicken nuggets and the small peel-away top on the dipping sauce. Teri watched her sister with a look of envy.
    Teri was being careful about her weight because of the pregnancy, so she’d ordered a Caesar salad. Her weight