The box was too big to go back into the duffel bag so she pulled her clothes out of her overnight bag and managed to squeeze the box in there. Then she stuffed her clothes into the duffel. She was disappointed not to be able to fit her diary with her clothing, so she slid it into the hold-all with the box, making a mental note to remove it when she had deposited the bag. She might want to write in it later anyhow, so it would be useful to keep it with her.
Okay, back to plan A.
Taking the overnight bag, she headed back out and set off for the bank. She was used to walking so it didn’t take her long to find the nearest town. Almondine was quite busy, and had several large shops. The main road through the town was noisy and people were everywhere. She found the bank at the end of a busy street. It was much bigger than she had expected and she wasn’t sure whether that was a good or bad thing.
“I’d like to rent a safety deposit box please,” she told the elderly lady behind the counter.
“Of course, dear. How big do you need it?”
Carla held up the overnight bag and the lady nodded. She gave her a key and told her how the system worked.
“You’ll need to sign in each time you come,” the lady explained, “and it’s your responsibility to keep this safe.”
It was an unusually shaped key, and Carla attached it to the chain around her neck which held her silver initial pendant. She never took the necklace off and it was long enough to tuck into the top of her T-shirts so no one would notice it anyway.
Carla felt relieved as she locked the bag away in the special box and watched the lady secure it in the bank’s vault. It had cost her almost all of her remaining money but it was worth it. She had signed the paperwork with a false name and tucked her copy into her back pocket as she left. Empty-handed, she went back out into the sunshine to explore the area a little. She’d have to make some more cash if she was going to keep running—and she wondered if she should have splashed out on a motel room after all, but she really didn’t want to sleep rough again.
The sun was high and she was quite warm in her gypsy-top and jeans. She was wearing boots today, having been in sneakers since she’d left Sheridan. She knew she had a few blisters but nothing she couldn’t handle.
Wanting to put some distance between her and the bank, she followed a sign which led out toward the west. Half an hour or so later she arrived in the town of Pelican’s Heath. The main street was quite busy, though not half as congested as the last town she had been through. This place had several small shops, a doctor’s surgery and what seemed to be a couple of office buildings.
“Good morning.” A handsome cowboy lifted his hat and smiled as he passed her.
“Good morning.” Carla beamed. He seemed a few years older than her, but a good-looking guy all the same.
Several other townsfolk greeted her as she meandered through the narrow streets. That girl sure was right about them being friendly around here! It was a very pretty little town, with mountains in the distance, and fields and hills nearby. She spotted a small diner at the end of what appeared to be the main road through town, and her stomach told her it must be lunch time by now.
She could just about afford some coffee and a burger, which she devoured eagerly. After the breakfast she had eaten she didn’t think she could ever eat again, but there must have been something about the fresh air and relief of getting rid of that cash that gave her appetite right back to her. I’ll have to decide how to get the money to Mr. Roberts, but at least it’s safe for now.
“Mind if I join you?”
She looked up into the greenest eyes she had ever seen. A big smile accompanied them and the body attached was to die for. Carla felt a warm, fuzzy feeling in her stomach as she nodded speechlessly and watched the tanned, muscular god sit opposite her. She could smell his spicy aftershave as she breathed him in like he was her life source.
“Hey, Matt, what can I get you?” the young waitress chirped, smiling at him. She must have noticed him arrive.
“I’ll take a hamburger, please, Maisie. Easy on the onions, though—I might want to kiss someone before the day’s out.” He chuckled, and the waitress rolled her eyes with a smirk.
“You want coffee with that?”
“Need you ask?”
She didn’t even bother to write down the order, just giggled and headed back to the counter.
“Hi, I’m Matt Shearer. You new in town?” His smile was contagious and his eyes were mesmerizing.
Carla smiled. “Carla Burchfield.” The words were out of her mouth before she had time to think—not that it was easy to think with this gorgeous hunk in front of her, anyway—and she silently cursed herself for not changing her name.
“Nice to meet you, Carla.” Matt’s strong hand was across the table in an instant and she couldn’t resist snuggling hers into it as they shook. She felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her as they touched, and the warm feeling inside her ignited into a burning flame. “Are you staying around here?”
Carla was tongue-tied by his beauty. He had thick, dark hair that hung in soft waves around his collar and the stubble on his chin gave him a roguish air that she found totally irresistible. He wore jeans and a gray shirt that was partially unbuttoned, allowing a few dark chest hairs to peep through. She nodded.
His meal arrived and they slowly let go of each other’s hand as he took up his cutlery. The waitress smiled as she collected up Carla’s used plate, but she didn’t speak.
Carla sipped her coffee as she watched the gorgeous guy tuck into his meal.
“So, Carla. What do you do?”
His question threw her for a second and she gasped. “Whatever I can find,” she told him as casually as she could.
“There’s a job going over at the general store if you’re looking for work?” He grinned as he told her, obviously noticing her watch him eat.
He licked his lips slowly, and she felt that fire inside her grow into a raging inferno. She liked the idea of working here and seeing him around all the time.
“Really?” Carla couldn’t believe her luck. “I’ve worked in a drug store before. Think they’ll take me on?”
“It’s worth a try. Tell you what—I’ll come over there with you if you like, and put in a good word for you.” He winked and she felt something stir inside her, a little farther down than her tummy. Oh shit!
“You don’t know me,” she reminded him, finishing her drink. “Thanks for the tip off, though, I might give it a try.”
She forced her feet to move and took a deep breath as she walked away from Matt Shearer—and temptation!
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About the Author
Bella Settarra is a British Erotic Romance author and lives in the beautiful English countryside.
She has several published novels to date, with subject matter including cowboys, BDSM and Myth/Fantasy. She has also written short stories for anthologies and has even had some raunchy poems published.
She likes to keep busy, cramming as much into each day as she possibly can, while battling—and is determined to win—against breast cancer. She loves to hear from her readers, so please get in touch!
Email: [email protected]
Bella loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.totallybound.com.
Also by Bella Settarra
The Cowboys of Cavern County: Carla’s Cowboy
Maggie’s Man (The Cowboys of Cavern County Book 2) Page 19