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this. But thank you for keeping her safe.” He offered his hand.
    Piper’s heart skipped a beat as she placed her palm against his, surprised at the size and warmth. “It is no problem.” Anxious to hide the jitters swarming her belly, she straightened the girl’s hat. “Mickey and I were just talking. Here,” she said, stepping behind the counter and retrieving a pink-and white-striped bag that held a mirror, a sample lipstick, and perfume from the Maxximum Girl line, extras from a spring promotion. “This is for you, sweetie.”
    Mickey’s eyes widened—then darted to her father. “Can I, Daddy?”
    He drew up his chest and held a breath, slowly letting it out as he tucked a hand in his pocket, which seemed to emphasize his broad shoulders. “Alright. I s’pose that’ll work.” A small grin tweaked the corners of his lips, drawing a dimple-like line down his cheek. He had a nice smile, one that could put anyone at ease.
    “Thanks again.” With that he led his daughter away.
    The sight made her heart clench. Father. Daughter. Hand-in-hand. She chewed the inner part of her lip, willing the tears back.
    “Bye-bye.” Mickey’s sweet voice snatched Piper from her grief.
    She waved. “Bye, sweetie.” And once again, her gaze collided with the girl’s father.
    The memory of shaking his hand swept through her. She smiled.
    “Who’s the hunk?”
    She spun at the voice, startled to find Charmagne, her coworker, donning her pale pink lab coat. “Oh, well, his daughter came to me and said her daddy was lost. Isn’t that the most precious thing you’ve heard?”
    “Uh-huh.” Charmagne just looked at her. “I guess they found each other.”
    “It was really cute.”
    “So is he.”
    Piper ignored the comment and returned to organizing the products in the new display box. In so many ways, the little girl reminded her of herself. Her father had always made her recite Bible verses to help tame her tongue and curiosity, but it hadn’t worked. Not really. And Mickey seemed to have a wild streak that rivaled her own.
“Again, Lily, what does scripture say?”
Even now, his gentle rebuke carried through time and distance, reminding her that physical attraction to a man wasn’t as important as a heart attraction.
    But somehow … she sensed Colton Neeley—she’d memorized his name since the first time he’d purchased towels at her counter—had a good heart. Of course, he probably wasn’t steeped in his religion like her father. Few were these days. But the way he treated his daughter, doted over her … how easily he’d called her
pretty lady
. …
    “Wow, what else did he say to make you grin like that?”
    Heat infused Piper’s cheeks. “He said nothing.” That was a lie. “He was just concerned about his daughter.” With a smile, she carried the items to the display. Once done, she found herself staring at the bar stool, remembering the precious little blue-eyed girl. Heart heavy, she logged out on the register. “I’ll be back in an hour.”
    “Smart. Hit the food court before the crowds—and maybe that hunk is still out there.”
    More heat crawled into Piper’s cheeks. She snapped the tray into place and washed her hands at the small sink.
    Charmagne laughed. “You know, Virginia is laden with soldiers, agents, and other government-types. You’re far too pretty to remain here long without a boyfriend.”
    “I have my college classes, and that’s enough for now.” She slipped out of the pale pink coat and hung it in the narrow closet. “Bye.”
    With her purse slung over her shoulder, she smoothed out her long hair and took a calming breath as she headed to the food court. Charmagne wanted her hooked up. Why, Piper didn’t understand because the woman was miserable in her own marriage. Besides, like Char had said, there were tons of trainees hanging around. They were exactly the types Piper couldn’t afford to get involved with. Which was maybe why the cowboy made her heart skip a