“Hey, Crick. I didn’t think you’d be working today.”

            “Dad called me to come in for an hour or two. Just to help with the rush. Hey! I’m glad you’re here!” Reaching out, she grabbed him by the arm. “Guess what? There was a letter waiting for me when I got home. Randy, I got accepted into Northern State up in Templeton! Isn’t that fantastic? And, better yet, the school already informed them I’ll be the valedictorian, so my books and tuition are free for the first year! Isn’t that great?”

            He couldn’t help but revel in her enthusiasm. Smiling broadly, he swept her into a big hug, which she returned. The feel of her warm, firm body against his sent tingles over his skin, warning him of a possible change. Although he would have loved to keep holding her, he reluctantly pushed her away and forced a smile on his face. “That’s terrific! I’m happy for you! Templeton? Wow. That’s quite a distance away.”

            “They have an excellent nursing school.”

            “Oh?” His eyes widened. “You’ve decided on that for your major?”

            “I’ve been thinking about it. I dunno.” She smiled shyly. “I’m not real sure that’s what I want to do, but I got two years to make my final decision. I can take all my prelim classes like English Lit and Advanced Algebra and all, to begin with.”

            He stared down at her, at the sparkle in her blue eyes. Involuntarily, his eyes dropped to her lips. They were wet-looking. Inviting. So tempting. If only he could lean forward just another couple of inches.

            “Cricket! Up front!” Mr. Summerland called from where he was standing near the fishing tackle.

            “Gotta go,” she whispered, adding a wink and a little wave. “See you tomorrow!” She sauntered off, her hips swaying perkily as she departed. Randy stared, mesmerized by the sexy way she walked. Her jeans were just a tad on the tight side, riding low around the hips. Every now and then he caught a brief glimpse of flesh and the tiniest sliver of purple that had to be her underwear. His hands itched to touch her again.

            A hat was suddenly jammed over his head. Completely unaware of his father’s presence, he reached to take it off when a hand jerked his away. “Hey!”

            A face shoved itself in front of his. His father’s scowl stopped him in his tracks. “That one looks good on you,” the man noted in a voice that was too tense to ignore. “I think we’ll take it. Just add it to my bill, would you, Sherm?”

            Randy swiveled around to see Sherman, one of the store’s employees, scanning the tag on an identical ball cap. Reaching up, Randy started to remove the hat again, when his father leaned in closer. “Keep it on.” There was no mistaking the direct and angry order. “Go wait for me in the truck.”

            Quietly, he hurried to return to their vehicle that was already loaded. Apparently his father had come inside, wondering what was taking Randy so long. And it was a good thing he had.

            Once he was inside the cab, he dropped the visor to where he could see into the built-in mirror. Cautiously, he slowly lifted the brim of the cap.

            Yep. The horns were back.

            “Well, shit,” he muttered to himself. Not only did he barely miss being outed in public, but he’d cost his family the price of a hat that they sorely didn’t need to have added to their bill.