“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!
Chapter Two
“The job’s yours if you want it.”
Carla’s heart leaped and she felt like hugging the lady behind the counter. “Thank you so much.” It was a huge relief that the woman hadn’t mentioned references or past employment, though Carla had casually mentioned that she had helped out in other stores in the past.
“You wanna start right away? I haven’t had a lunch break yet, and it won’t take long to show you how to use the cash till.”
“It’s just like the one I used to use,” Carla told her happily. “I might be a bit rusty though.”
The woman laughed. “It’s just like riding a bike, honey.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Bellingham. I’m so grateful to you.”
“Oh now, call me Delores, everyone does.” Her new boss tapped her on the arm in a friendly manner. “Frank’s out back if you need anything. I’ll go call him.”
As she went off to find her husband in the staff area out the back of the counter, Carla took a good look around the store. They seemed to sell a little of everything here, from fish to fuse wire. She smiled. It was clean and tidy and everything was labeled up. She thought she would enjoy working here.
“Hi there, you must be Carla?” A white-haired man with a big grin came out to meet her.
“Yes, sir. I’m just starting here today.” Carla shook his hand, smiling.
“Well it’s good to have you on board, sweetie-pie. Delores does all the out-front work around here while I do any lifting and shifting. If there’s anything you need you just holler and I can pop through at any time.”
Frank was a friendly soul, and Carla took an instant liking to him. “Thank you, sir, I will.”
Delores came out from the back of the store with a bag in her hand. “I’m glad you’re getting acquainted. I’ve just got a couple of errands to run. I can see having a third pair of hands is gonna make life a lot easier from now on. I won’t be long.” She winked at Carla as she made her way to the front of the store. She was a very large lady and only just managed to fit down the narrow aisle of the little shop.
“Well if you’re all right to keep an eye out here I’ll just go put the kettle on.” Frank smiled as he disappeared out the back.
Carla took a look around the shelves, trying to familiarize herself with the layout. It was all very neat and she guessed that Delores was meticulous about tidiness. The floor was clean and there was not a speck of dust on the shelves. Afterward she returned to the back of the counter. Paper bags hung from hooks in size order, and she could see where the paper was kept for wrapping bread. A small basket sat on a shelf under the counter, containing tape, scissors, a price-gun and some spare ticket-rolls. She smiled at the good order the place was in.
A bell sounded to alert her that someone had come into the store and she looked up to see a gorgeous pair of bright green eyes walking toward her.
“You got the job then?”
“I sure did. Thank you so much for putting me onto it.” Carla smiled shyly and felt herself tremble a little.
“Here’s your coffee, sweetie-pie.” Frank arrived and placed a steaming mug on the shelf beneath the counter.
“Hi, Frank. Hope you’re looking after her well.” Matt winked cheekily at the old man, who sniggered.
“I look after all my ladies,” Frank replied.
Carla giggled. “Thank you,” she said, picking up the cup.
“Well she’s sure gonna brighten the place up a bit for you.” Matt chuckled.
“Are you saying my beloved wife doesn’t?” Frank raised his eyebrows playfully.
“Your Delores is a fine woman,” Matt assured him with a chuckle.
“Humph.” Frank huffed as he turned to go, but Carla saw him give her a sly wink as he left.
She giggled. They sure liked teasing each other around here.
“Can I get you anything?” she asked him with a flirtatious smile. He certainly was a handsome man.
Matt smiled. “Actually I just stepped in to congratulate you on your new job.”
“How did you know I got it?” She frowned.
Matt giggled. “Delores just came into the diner. Word gets around quick in these parts.”
“Oh, I see.” Carla couldn’t help feeling a little unnerved, and vowed to be mindful of the rampant grapevine in Pelican’s Heath. She bit her lip nervously. “Well, that’s real kind of you, Matt. Is there anything you need now that you’re here?”
Not only was she aware of Frank loitering in the back room, listening to her chatting instead of serving, but she also felt a little awkward around the handsome hunk. He was gorgeous, there was no doubt about that, and he did unholy things to her body just by being this close, but she had to remember that she was actually hiding out and c
ouldn’t afford to get close to anyone—much as she’d like to.
Matt looked around at the nearby shelves. “Maybe some of this pancake mix,” he said, examining a packet.
“You use a mix for pancakes?” She didn’t mean to be rude, but the words just tumbled out in her surprise.
Matt raised his eyebrows at her. “You mean you don’t?”
“Of course not. It doesn’t take a minute to whip up some flour, egg and milk first thing in the morning. I usually let it stand while I take a shower and then it’s ready to cook.” Carla put a hand to her mouth as she realized that she had revealed a little more about herself than she’d intended.
Matt was looking at her with a salacious grin, and there was a worryingly sexy look in his eyes. “Is that right?”
Carla bit her lip again. Damn! She took the packet from him, blushing profusely. “I’ll just ring this up for you.”
She was well aware of him chuckling as she rang the sale and bagged it for him. He was still smiling as he took it from her and handed over the cash. She relished his hand brushing over hers as the coins dropped into her palm and she felt the fire burn inside her again. Glancing up, she saw his deep green eyes flash excitedly at her and she was shocked to feel a gush escape her pussy. Swallowing hard she quickly looked away, and was surprised not to hear him chuckle again.
“Thank you.” Her voice came out as a whisper and she felt herself tremble slightly.
The bell on the door rang again to alert her to another customer and her eyes immediately darted over to an elderly lady who had just arrived.
“I don’t know you,” the gray-haired woman announced accusingly.
“This is Carla Burchfield. She’s new to Pelican’s Heath. Carla, meet Mrs. Taylor. Her daughter runs the clothing shop down the street.” Matt introduced them before Carla had even had chance to open her mouth.
She smiled at the lady, who was studying her curiously. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Taylor.” Carla couldn’t help feeling a little unnerved at the thought of everyone knowing about her, especially as she was trying to keep a low profile, but hoped that it was a small enough community that it wouldn’t cause her any problems.
The old dear acknowledged her from her position near the door and began selecting groceries from the shelf.
“Where do you work, Matt?” Carla hoped the cowboy might take the hint and leave. She was a little agitated at his knack of telling everyone about her, and even more agitated at the effect he was having on her underwear.
“I’ve got a small farm just up the way,” he told her casually.
“That must be a lot of work,” she remarked.
He laughed. “Yeah, well, I’m not afraid of hard work.”
She sighed. That wasn’t exactly what she meant. “Do you have people working for you?”
“A couple.”
The glint in his eye told her he knew exactly what she was hinting at but he was darned if he was going to let on.
Mrs. Taylor barged past him with her basket of goods and placed it on the counter in front of Carla. “Isn’t it time you got back to work, Matt Shearer? Some folks have jobs to do even if you haven’t!”
Matt chuckled and replaced his hat, nodding politely at the women. “Yes, ma’am.” He winked at Carla. “See you around, Carla.” He touched his hat and nodded one more time before heading for the door.
Carla sighed with relief, wishing she had the nerve to be so forthright—although she had to admit to missing him the second he had left her.
“You’ve gotta be straight with them.” The shrewd old lady seemed to read her thoughts as Carla rang up the shopping.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll try to remember that.”
“You’ll need to if you’re ever gonna get anything done ’round here. Folks in Pelican’s Heath just like to gossip. Stand around all day just chin-wagging, some of them would. And this shop’s a good meeting place for ’em all to join up in. You living around here?”
“Not far away.” Carla tried to sound nonchalant as she finished bagging the groceries.
She noticed Mrs. Taylor’s eyes narrow again as she handed over the cash. “Hmm. Secretive type, are ya?”
Carla flushed. “No, of course not.” She tried to laugh but it came out more like a high-pitched cackle as her nerves got the better of her. “I’m staying just outside of town, that’s all.”
“Hmm.” Mrs. Taylor was clearly unconvinced as she took up her shopping, and Carla was afraid she had offended the old lady.
There wasn’t time to say any more, though, as a man entered the shop just as Mrs. Taylor neared the door. He stopped short when he caught sight of her, and Carla gasped.
“Hi there.” He was another good-looking cowboy, and he touched his hat politely as he sauntered up to the counter. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
Carla felt herself bush. “Hi, I’m Carla. I just started here today.”
He removed a glove and shook her hand. His fingers were long and warm and enveloped her own hand, which she had never actually thought of as small. “Aiden Fielding. I own the ranch just over the back there.”
Carla was sure she was expected to elaborate a little more about herself, but she was desperately trying to not tell her life story to every stranger she met today. There was something about these people who just seemed able to pry everything out of her.
“You from around these parts?”
Here we go again! No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t find a way of not answering him which wouldn’t make her seem rude. “Nope. Are you?” She decided that maybe asking a few questions herself might defer attention from her.
“Yeah. Lived here all my life. Where are you from?”
Some hope!
“Wyoming. It sure is nice around here. I can see why you wouldn’t want to leave.”
“Never really had much of a choice. My parents owned the ranch and once they died my brother and I took it over. Just natural progression, I suppose,” he told her. “What about you? You travel a lot?”
“Not really.”
“You planning to settle here in Cavern County?”
“I haven’t decided yet. I’m hoping to stick around for a while, though, especially now that I’ve got this job.” Carla shifted a little uncomfortably, well aware that Frank Bellingham might be listening in and didn’t want to give him the wrong impression. She had only just been taken on and didn’t want him thinking she was about to leave town any time soon.
The doorbell chimed again and a couple more men walked in.
“Well, I’d best let you get on. I only came in for a couple of postage stamps,” Aiden told her.
She stared at him blankly.
“Delores usually keeps them in the cash till,” he explained.
“Oh, right.” Blushing, Carla opened the register and sold him the stamps, watching his cute backside as he swaggered out of the shop. He was a good-looking guy, and very friendly, but somehow he didn’t seem to have the same effect on her as Matt Shearer.
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, as the shop was very busy. Carla enjoyed her new job, and loved meeting the townsfolk, most of whom were really friendly. Some of the older customers seemed a little suspicious, which was perfectly natural, she thought, and she scolded herself for feeling a little disgruntled that Matt didn’t reappear. She was surprised at how much he had affected her, considering they had only just met. Silently cursing herself for being so weak, she persuaded herself it was a good job he hadn’t come back to the shop, as he seemed to be able to pry information out of her that she would rather have kept secret. Her original plan of giving a false name and background had gone completely to pot as soon as he’d flashed those gorgeous emerald eyes her way. I’d never make it as a secret agent!
“You’ve done a wonderful job today.” Delores beamed at her. It was nearly six o�
�clock, but Carla felt as though she had only just started work.
“She even got Matt Shearer to make a purchase when he just stopped by to say hi,” Frank chuckled, popping his head around the corner of the back room.
Carla blushed.
“Think you’re gonna like it here?” Delores smiled.
“Oh yes, ma’am. Everyone’s so friendly.”
“Good. Can you make it back for nine in the morning?”
“Of course.” Carla nodded.
“You OK for getting home? Is it far?” Frank asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. No, it’s not far.” She only just managed to stop herself telling them where she was staying—not that it was a great secret, she just felt that the more she kept back from folk the safer she would feel. “I’ll see you both in the morning. Thanks again for taking me on.”
They said goodbye, and she left the shop. Although it was still light outside, the street was quite empty. Carla wasn’t sure whether she was relieved or not. At least with no one to talk to she couldn’t get into a conversation about herself again—although she did feel a little lonely as she walked down the street and out of the town. Luckily she had a good sense of direction and found her way back without any problems. She grimaced as she avoided the bank when she passed through Almondine, and was relieved when she finally arrived ‘home’.
The little round lady was wiping down the tables of the café opposite the Melrose Motel when she arrived back, and she smiled as Carla walked in.
“Not too late for some supper, am I?” The young brunette looked nervously around at the empty tables and guessed the woman was hoping to close soon.
“No, take a seat and I’ll bring you over a menu. I’m Maggie, by the way.”
“Thank you. Carla. I’m staying at the Melrose.”
“I know,” Maggie told her as she handed her the sheet of card.
Carla smiled. Of course she knows—everyone knows everything around here!
“You planning to stick around a while?” Maggie asked.
“I hope so. I just got a job in Pelican’s Heath.” Carla figured there wouldn’t be any harm in Maggie knowing, and was hoping they could be friends. The waitress wasn’t much older than her and she was very cheerful.
Carla's Cowboys Page 2
