Iggles Grocery Store

  Hazel's high heels make a loud clickety-clack sound as she struts happily through the store. The shopping cart in front of her is filled with the food and ingredients she will need for that evening's special meal with Dave.

  Eyes follow Hazel everywhere she travels, out of curiosity, disapproval, or a desire to see more. The young woman chose her current ensemble with exactly such reactions in mind. A red blazer, with a too small thin black spaghetti-strap underneath; a knee-high black pencil-skirt; and shiny red three-inch heels. Hazel is certain she has achieved her desired goal by the time she reaches the produce section of the store.

  A woman beside the sweet potato bin looks Hazel up and down before pushing her cart up a nearby aisle. Hazel smirks and further exaggerates her usual walk. It feels good not to run and hide. It feels even better not giving a damn. She and Dave are free to live as they want. Soon, she will be the wife of a Senior Deputy. Poo on the world.

  "Hazel? My goodness, what are you wearing? Or not wearing?" A woman's voice says.

  Hazel turns to see who has spoken. A chunky woman with frizzy hair makes her way over to Hazel, a grin frozen to her plump face. She scrutinizes the much younger woman with an air of definite approval.

  "Aunt Tyra!" Hazel exclaims.

  Hazel enthusiastically opens her arms to embrace her surrogate aunt. Tyra Feder, a distant cousin to Sheriff Northrop, hugs her kin without care or reservation. Tyra's embrace is so tight, Hazel feels as if their expansive bosoms are competing for equal space and dominance. Aunt Tyra's are clearly winning.

  "You look gorgeous, baby. And you are positively glowing. But honey...tsk tsk. That top?"

  "I'm planning a special night for me and Dave. I felt like dressing up. There's no harm in that, is there?" Hazel playfully protests.

  "Of course not, dear. Just be careful when you bend over. You might go tumbling like laundry out of a chute," Tyra says.

  "Aunt Tyra...Hush. You've been saying things like that for years. It hasn't happened yet," Hazel pouts.

  "Hmmm. And about Dave. Your father did tell me a little something about your engagement. Can't say I'm happy about it. Isn't he too old for you, honey? I mean, don't get me wrong. Dave is quite a yummy looking older gentleman. But, he's closer to my age. Whatever happened to William...The district attorney fella? Weren't you two engaged before?"

  "Will and I were never engaged, Aunt Tyra," Hazel clarifies. "I got tired of his lying and cheating. Dave proposed to me so many times. And in so many ways. I finally said 'yes.' And I'm happy about it. Dave actually loves me. That's all I want."

  "Okay, hon," Tyra says. "If you're sure. It's your life."

  If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  "Yes, it is," Hazel responds. "But I appreciate you wanting to look out for me, Aunt Tyra. I really do."

  "No problem, child. Us aunties are always meddling in youngster's business. It keeps us young ourselves. So what's for dinner, dear? Anything good?" Tyra jokes.

  "Everything will be good. I'm even going to make a sweet potato pie. I heard Dave say he hasn't had one in years the other day. I'm going to surprise him," Hazel gushes.

  "Ooo. Let me help pick some out," Tyra says. "Then, I can pretend he's eating out of my hands. Like I told you, that's a yummy piece of man you're about to marry. Give me something to remember him by. Just a little sumthin', sumthin'."

  "Ew! You are sick, Aunt Tyra. That's just wrong," Hazel giggles.

  "Ever heard the saying: 'look but don't touch,' honey? That's me. Been doing a whole lot of looking...Whenever he walks away. But never touching. There's a whole lot to stare at back there."

  "Oh my god! Aunt Tyra?! No!"

  Both women are consumed with laughter as they struggle to find just the right sweet potatoes in the heaping bin.

  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

  Merrville County

  Dave's Residence

  That evening

  Dave steps down from the cab of his pickup. He grins from ear to ear as he is met with the numerous tantalizing aromas wafting from inside his home. Hazel has been very busy indeed. The day's frustrations seem less relevant as the weary deputy considers the long, happy future he and Hazel will soon have together. Wild Oats Willie Delgado is no longer a fixture in their lives, and the wedding date has been set. Everything is good. Well, almost everything.

  Activating the alarm on his truck, Dave heads for the house.

  -

  "Hello, Honey Bear," Dave says, clasping Hazel around the waist and resting his head on her bare shoulder.

  The black spaghetti strap Hazel wears is tantalizing as well, hiding very little from view. Dave breathes in her scent, as well as that of the food simmering on the stovetop. Hazel reaches back and cups Dave's left cheek.

  "Why do you keep calling me that?" Hazel says. "You never used to call me that before."

  "Just a name I picked up from ole Mackey when we were investigating the...Nevermind," Dave says. "He used to tease me about our secret love affair. He called you my honey bear. The name stuck. I like it."

  Hazel turns in Dave's embrace, wrapping one arm around his neck. Pecking Dave on the mouth, she smiles warmly up at him.

  "I like it too!" Hazel says, a childish giggle escaping her lips. "A new name, for a new stage in our relationship. Now, what should I call you?"

  "Anything you want," Dave whispers hoarsely. "Just as long as you say it like you mean it."

  "Oh, Dave. Between you and Aunt Tyra...Oh god. No more."

  "Aunt Tyra? You mean the same Aunt Tyra who kept following me around for weeks a couple of summers ago?"

  "The same. I ran into her at Iggles today. She hasn't changed a bit. She still has the hots for you. I'm sure Dad is thrilled. What is it with you and the women in this family, Dave?"

  "I can't say. Maybe it's my rugged good looks and my charisma."

  "Or maybe...We're all just crazy?" Hazel says, parting her lips as an invitation for Dave to kiss her.

  Dave stares down at his intended target and grins. Whoever came up with the saying about 'not putting your stick in crazy' was a madman. There are many levels of crazy. Sexy crazy, wild crazy, and crazy crazy. Crazy crazy is the kind you usually have to worry about. And crazy can sometimes come in gorgeous packages. Hazel is the best kind of crazy. And Dave is crazy for her love.

  "Or...That," Dave says in reply.

  Pulling Hazel into a passionate kiss, Dave uses his free hand to toy with the thin spaghetti strap on her left shoulder. The food can wait.