Courting Trouble (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 3) by Kathy Carmichael Page B

slumped with relief as she hung up the phone. It rang again almost instantly. "Healthy Herbs," she answered.
    "Hi, Heather," said Diedra. "Just calling to check to make sure everything is going okay for you."
    Her cousin had perfect timing—perfectly awful. No need to worry her though. Heather crossed her fingers because she was about to deliver a whopper. "Everything's just fine."
    "Oh, good. I was worrying about you."
    "It's going well. I have everything under control here." Except for the run on herbs and vitamins. "By the way, are there more arginine supplements or something that can substitute for it? We've run out."
    "I'll call my supplier to get more when I get back. It's strange, though. I just got a shipment in a couple of days ago."
    "It's popular today." The shop door opened and Heather was relieved to see Bert coming to her rescue.
    "Peanuts are especially rich sources of arginine," Diedra said. "Almost any nut is a good source."
    "Peanuts. Okay, thanks." Bert joined her behind the counter and immediately went to work on the cash register, opening the side to remove the empty tape roll. "Listen, I need to run. Customers."
    "Before I go, have you heard from Meagan?"
    Diedra sounded so hopeful, Heather hated to disappoint her. "Sorry. No word here."
    Bert pointed at the empty roll. "New one?" he mouthed.
    Heather shrugged helplessly. She said to Diedra, "I guess this means you haven't found her."
    "No luck so far."
    "I'm so sorry. I know you're worried." More customers came in the door and the shop buzzed with activity. Heather had to get Diedra off the phone before she realized all wasn't perfect in herbal paradise. "I'll call you if I hear anything."
    "What's that commotion?"
    "Hmm." Of course she heard all the noise. Heather didn't want to lie to Diedra, but she had enough worries without thinking something was wrong at the shop. "Another customer just came in."
    "It must be a noisy customer."
    "Bert's helping me change the cash register tape. Do you know where more tapes are?"
    "Sure," said Diedra. "They're under the counter by the chair."
    Three more customers entered the store and it was becoming almost too crowded for people to easily move around the aisles. "Thanks. I need to run. A customer needs help."
    "Okay. I'll check in with you again later."
    Heather hung up the phone. "That was a close call. I think Diedra was suspicious, but she's got her hands full already."
    "I'm sure she'll find Meagan soon." Bert gave Heather's arm a comforting pat. "I'll take care of this customer. You go help the others."
    "As soon as I make a call for reinforcements," Heather said, dialing her twin's number.
    Thistle answered immediately. "I knew you were going to call. What's up?"
    They'd always been like that, knowing when the other was in trouble. "I need some help."
    * * *
    As they neared Dallas, Alec stirred restlessly. His head touched the convertible roof, making him duck and giving him a cramp in his neck. At least when the rain had let up, he'd been able to remove Diedra's shoe from the roof, but that left a down draft blowing directly in his eyes. It had been easier to drive with his head bent around the shoe.
    He tried calling both Jeff and Heather again, but the result was the same as every other time he called, except this time Heather's voice mail said it was full.
    Diedra had been silent for a while. When he turned to check on her, it looked like she was sleeping. Good. She needed it.
    He rubbed his neck. What was he going to do about her? She was the most incredible woman he'd ever met, and she scared the living daylights out of him. What would happen next?
    How could he seriously pursue a relationship with someone who so obviously needed a caretaker? He had more responsibilities than he wanted to cope with already. But that wasn't the real problem.
    His mom wouldn't like it, but again, that wasn't a real problem, just a minor setback. He'd always thought he'd one day find a nice girl and want to settle down.