Randy dug in his heels, scowling and stubborn. "You got trust issues?"

"You have three pairs of stolen sunglasses in your pockets as we speak," she reminded him.

He rolled his shoulders, as if to shake a monkey off his back. He emptied his pockets, then set the shades down on the front counter. "Happy now?" he asked Sophie.

"Happier still once you stop stealing."

"Whatever." The kid's stomach growled. "I haven't had lunch," he said. "I was headed to the candy store when you stopped me."

"Sugar is not a meal," said Sophie. "You can have half my sandwich and a soda. Unfortunately the chips are all gone." She glanced at Dune. "Chip run?"

"I'll go," he agreed, "after you've spoken with Jen."

Dune made the boy wait with him while Sophie went to the storeroom. The women had a lengthy discussion. Five minutes passed, then ten. Randy shifted uneasily.

"Jen doesn't want me," the boy said.

"Sophie does," Dune said. "She can be persuasive."

Jenna didn't look all that convinced when she later faced Randy. "I've been told you're sorry," she said.

Randy looked to Sophie. "That's what I hear, too."

"You have one chance. Blow it and you're gone," Jen said flatly. "You have the afternoon to prove yourself. It's do or die, kid."

Randy's face tightened. For once, he didn't talk back.

Dune took off on his errand. He ordered two additional PB&Js from Molly Malone's Diner, then stopped at Crabby Abby's for a bag of chips. He found Sophie and Randy sharing the remains of her sandwich. Jenna had finished her lunch and was unpacking boxes, a never-ending task.

Randy spotted Dune and shot off his chair so fast he jarred the table. Manners were not on his menu. He grabbed his sandwich along with the potato chips. He ripped open the bag, stuffed a handful in his mouth, then started on his sandwich. He had no concern for anyone else.

Sophie cleared her throat. "Pass the chips, please."

Randy had tucked the bag under his arm and was slow to share. He finally set it down on the table between them. Dune noted the opening was turned away from Sophie, but she didn't seem to mind. She took a few chips and let Randy have the rest. He crunched loudly.

"Chew with your mouth closed," she told the boy.

He was slow to oblige. The kid was willful. He continued to chew openly and loudly before clamping his jaw shut. The remainder of the meal passed peacefully.

"Clean up and take out the garbage," Sophie told Randy once they finished their lunch.

Randy processed her request. "I'm a janitor?" he asked.

"Custodian, salesperson, cashier, whatever, you're building your resume," she explained.

Randy nodded. Once his first chore was complete, Dune watched as the kid sought out Sophie. He found her setting up a display of sand globes.

"What's next?" Randy asked.

"You change clothes."

The boy's jaw set. "What wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"You're in camouflage." Dune joined them. "You look like you should be playing army, not working in a T-shirt shop."

"Who's buying? Not me."

"You'll get two work outfits," said Sophie. "Keep them clean."

"I've never used a washing machine."

"Ask your dad to help you," said Dune.

"He's never around."

"Neither are you," said Dune. "If your father knows you're at home and that you need help, I'm sure he'd be there for you."

"Believe what you want." He then turned toward a stack of youth T-shirts. He took his sweet time reading each slogan and logo. Still undecided, he moved to the adult racks.

"The kid's stalling," said Dune.

"But he's not stealing."

"That's true." Dune watched as Sophie gently shook a sand globe. Sand fluttered and the beach shifted. A tiny starfish, sea urchin, and kitten's paw shell appeared.

"These globes are amazing," she said.

"So are you," Dune told her, and meant it. "You've got a way with kids. They like you."

"They like earning money." She was realistic.

"That, too," he agreed.

He glanced around and became aware they were the only two in the store. Jenna was deep in boxes in the back and Randy was trying on clothes. Dune assisted Sophie with the sand globe display. The globes came in three sizes. He smiled as she staggered them in an attractive arrangement. She had flair.

The box was soon empty and ready to toss. They reached down at the same time. They bumped shoulders, arms, and hips. Her scent was on the air, all around him. On his skin, his clothes. An essence of vanilla, innocence, and sweet woman.

They straightened slowly. A mere fraction of an inch separated them. Their cheeks brushed. His stubble rasped her soft skin. He looked deeply into her eyes, a shadowed forest green. Her mouth was so near, he felt her breath on his chin.

Time had granted them a moment together. He went with his gut and kissed her. Her reaction was an indrawn breath followed by an involuntary sigh. She went still. He practiced great patience. Her pleasure was paramount.

Her lips soon softened and parted beneath his. He gently touched her with his tongue. She touched him back.

She was no longer tentative. She leaned into him, petite and curvy, warm and womanly. She aroused him.

An age-old tension charged the air until the creak of the dressing room door brought Dune back to his senses.

He broke their kiss, his breathing heavy.

Sophie's breath stuck in her throat. Her gaze blurred and her heart raced. She'd been so caught up in Dune that she'd lost sight of her purpose.

She was responsible for Randy Cates. The boy stood off to their right, openly staring at them. He wore khaki shorts and an I Like Older Women T-shirt. His beat-up sneakers were untied.

"Do me a huge favor, man," he said to Dune. "No kissing on my time."

"Your time?" Sophie betrayed her surprise.

"You're supposed to be teaching me stuff," said Randy. "Hard to do when his mouth's on you."

"You're right," she agreed. "My first lesson: wear a shirt that is appropriate for your age."

"I like this one," he argued.

"Buy it with your own money then."

He flipped the tag, calculated, "It costs eighteen dollars. I'd have to work an additional two-and-a-half hours to pay for it. I'm only here for the sunglasses."

Dune lowered his voice near her ear. "He's all yours." He picked up the empty box and headed for the storeroom.

Sophie drew a deep breath. It seemed immature to argue with Randy. She tried logic. "There's no need to advertise your preference in ladies. If you act mature, older women will find you attractive."

"Are you into me?"

"I like men who are honest and trustworthy."

"Not kids who shoplift," Randy mimicked her voice.

Sophie was patient. "Anyone can change his life at any given moment."

"Are you changing yours?" he asked.

His question hung in the air between them. "I'm working on it," she said. "This is my summer to challenge myself and seek adventure."

"What kind of adventures?" he wanted to know.

She told him about the different jobs she'd worked on the boardwalk. His eyes went wide when she mentioned the unicycle. "I didn't have good balance," she said.

His chin came up. "I do," he bragged. "I skateboard and do tricks."

"The uni-troupe needs an extra rider," she told him. "If you're interested-"

"Don't do me any favors," he said, shooting her down.

Sophie wondered if he was afraid he'd fail or if he didn't want her interfering further in his life. She stepped back.

And he stepped forward in search of a different shirt. He held up a few for her approval.

She shook her head to reject shirts with the slogans Numbnuts and Bang It, but agreed on I Pushed Humpty-Dumpty -which he called lame, but still agreed to wear.

Dune returned shortly. He carried a box and a tall revolving magazine rack. He passed them both to Randy. "Jen wants you to set up the coloring books and crayons."

The boy frowned. "I thought I was working for Sophie."

"It's Jen's store," Sophie said.

"But you're the bank?" he asked.

"I'll be paying you, yes."

He nodded and got to work.

Shortly thereafter, Sophie and Dune helped Jenna hang shirts from the crab netting. The girls put the shirts on colorful plastic hangers and Dune hooked them in the nets. It was a team effort. Jenna was precise. She moved around the store, eyeing the shirts from all angles. She had Dune taking down and rearranging every other hanger. He didn't object to the extra work. He was a patient man.

Sophie kept one eye on Randy. The boy worked diligently. The coloring books were a great addition to the store. The books depicted various scenes from Barefoot William. Children could sit on the beach and color beneath an umbrella. Pictures of waves and sailboats, shells and crabs, the boardwalk and pier, would all make for a great souvenir.

"My sister would like a coloring book," Randy said.

"How old is she?" asked Sophie.

"Four," Randy told her. "She spends the week with a babysitter." He frowned slightly. "A few nights, too, depending on how late my dad works. I see her on weekends."

"Once you buy your sunglasses, maybe you could work an extra hour and get her a coloring book," Sophie suggested. "Maybe even buy her a T-shirt."

Randy narrowed his gaze on her. "Don't try and tie me to the store for the summer," he said.

Sophie held up her hands, her palms out. "You're a free man once I ring up your sale for West Coast Blue."

"That's how I want it," the boy said. "Now what?" He'd finished putting the coloring books and crayons on the rack and was ready to move on.

"It's a slow day." Jen came to stand beside them. "We clean when we have the opportunity." She handed Randy glass cleaner and a cloth. "Six mirrors. Don't leave any streaks."

He didn't. Sophie stood off to the side, straightening a circular rack of shirts, watching Randy as he worked. The kid was conscientious. No longer influenced by his friends, he did a good job. He went over each mirror twice until the glass shone. Afterward, he and Dune did odd jobs for Jenna in the storeroom. Sophie remained on the floor, assisting a few customers.

Dune strode from the storeroom, walked over to her and said, "Four o'clock. No Mac." He strolled away, looking smug and superior.

Mac still had an hour to make an appearance.

She willed him to show.

"Four-thirty." Dune made a second pass by her.

She kept busy, sorting the latest shipment of belly chains and charm bracelets.

Dune was a clock watcher, annoyingly so. He tapped his watch the next time he walked by her. "Four-forty."

She glared at him.

He grinned back. "Not nice, Sophie," he said. "Don't be a poor loser."