Chapter Three

Matt Shearer arrived at the general store just after six o’clock and was disappointed to find Carla gone. He had hoped to get there a little earlier, but the dang fence he’d been mending was more damaged than he had thought. The whole spread badly needed work, but that was going to cost money he didn’t have right now.

“She left just a few minutes ago,” Delores told him, “she can’t have gone far.”

“Where’s she staying?”

“I don’t think she said,” Delores said with a shake of her head. She was a fine-looking woman and her gray, curly hair shook as she spoke. “Frank, do you know where Carla’s staying?”

Frank came out from the back, also shaking his head. “I didn’t like to ask.”

“Hopeless!” Delores rolled her eyes with a tut.

“There can’t be too many places around here,” Matt said as he turned to go.

“Have you checked the diner—she might have gone for some supper?” Frank offered.

Matt waved his hand in acknowledgement and went to find out. After that, he tried every shop and even a few houses where they sometimes offered bed and breakfast. No one had seen her. There wasn’t a hotel in Pelican’s Heath, so he had soon run out of options. She must have found somewhere further afield but he had no idea which direction to look in.

With a disgruntled sigh he went over to the bar and ordered a cold beer.

“You look like you’ve lost a dollar and found a penny.”

Matt looked up and saw his brother sauntering toward him.

“Hey, Dyson. It’s not a dollar I’ve lost—it’s a girl.”

The bartender brought over their drinks and Matt chugged his eagerly.

“Any girl or a particular girl?”

“A particular one—a very particular one, actually.” Matt couldn’t help the smirk that spread across his face when he thought about Carla.

“Anyone I know?” His brother gave him a sideways look as they both chugged their drinks.

“I wouldn’t think so. She’s new in town. Carla Burchfield. Got a job with Delores over at the store.”

Dyson’s eyebrows shot up. “I haven’t met her yet. Mind you, I haven’t been around here much today.”

“Well I hope you got a good price for those cattle, bro, ’cause there’s a whole lot of work needs doing up the road.” Matt glanced hopefully at his brother but was disappointed at the look in his eyes.

“Nobody’s got any money by the looks of things, bud. I got what I could but it won’t make us rich, I’m afraid.” Dyson shook his head glumly.

“Hey, guys, how’s it going?” Aiden Fielding strolled up to the bar.

“Hey, Aiden. Same as ever, you know. Matt’s lost a woman, though, you seen any?” Dyson winked at their friend as he teased his brother.

“Well, I reckon he needs to get his eyes tested, ’cause there’s a fair few in here tonight.” Aiden snickered, looking around the room.

“Very funny,” Matt scorned. “I met a beautiful woman today and now I don’t know where she is. You seen a new face in town? Real pretty, she is—long wavy brown hair, big seductive eyes and a mouth that was just made for kissing.” He noticed Aiden shift a little uncomfortably before he replied.

“Was she working at the general store, by any chance?”

Matt felt his heart lurch. “Yes, that’s her! Any idea where she’s staying? I wanted to meet up with her after she finished work but I missed her.”

“I think maybe you should take the hint, bud. I’ll bet it wasn’t an accident she left early.” Dyson chuckled.

“Oh, ha ha! She didn’t know I’d be coming by. I just thought I’d surprise her. Maybe take her to dinner or something, you know?” Matt protested.

“So it wasn’t actually a date or anything, then?” Aiden appeared a bit happier.

“Well it would have been if I’d been a little earlier.” Matt felt quite defensive, given his friend’s demeanor. “Do you know where she’s staying?”

Aiden shook his head as he drank his beer. “I wouldn’t be standing here right now if I did.”

Matt felt the heat sear his body and he stared at him. “I saw her first. I’m going to ask her out.” He spoke through gritted teeth and seethed as Aiden straightened up and looked him straight in the eye.

“I intend to ask her out.” His voice was calm, which infuriated Matt even more.

“Now boys, we don’t want any trouble,” Dyson giggled. “You just play nice now, d’ya hear?”

“Tell him to leave my girl alone, then.” Matt’s teeth were still clenched, as were his fists.

“Your girl? I think I remember you saying that you hadn’t exactly asked her out and then you were late picking her up anyhow. Doesn’t sound very promising to me.” Aiden’s smarmy attitude was getting on Matt’s last nerve, and he slammed the bottle on the counter.

“Not in here,” Dyson growled in his ear.

Matt nodded, biting his lip angrily. “I’m off to get some air,” he muttered as he left the bar.

He could hear Aiden Fielding’s raucous laughter, but he didn’t look back.

Matt’s blood was boiling as he strode up the street to where he had parked his pick-up. He stared at it thoughtfully for a minute then decided the walk would do him more good. He set off for the farm, the jovial state of mind he had enjoyed on the way here now a million miles away, as he seethed and cursed.

By the time he got home, he felt a little calmer but still unhappy. If only I’d been a few minutes earlier I would have taken her out with Dyson, made her ours and no one would think twice about making a move on her. Now that fucker’s going to be all over her and we’ll be lucky if she even notices us!

****

Carla hadn’t stopped thinking about Matt all night and woke up with a massive grin on her face the next morning. Her thoughts turned to him as she took a wash, relishing the luxury of hot water, and she imagined what it would feel like to share the shower with him. His hands were big and warm and she just knew they could do unholy things to her body. As the glow in her stomach grew into a raging fire, she tried to calm her thoughts and concentrate on the day ahead.

Maggie was in a great mood when she dished up another large breakfast for her, and she devoured the food eagerly. “You cook the best breakfast in the world,” Carla told her between mouthfuls.

Maggie laughed. “I’ve never known a woman eat as much as you first thing in the morning. Most folks just want a strong coffee and bite of toast. It’s a real treat to cook a proper meal for a change.”

“Well you can make this for me anytime,” Carla told her with a grin, “especially now I’ve got a job—I’ll have to keep my strength up somehow.”

“I didn’t realize you were looking for work.” Maggie stopped wiping down the tables and turned to face her questioningly. She was a pretty girl, probably a year or two older than Carla. She was obviously interested, so Carla told her all about how she stumbled upon the job at the grocery store.

“You walking all the way to Pelican’s Heath again today?” Maggie asked as she cleared away the dishes.

“No other way to get there.” Carla shrugged.

“There’s a back road just through the cut by the old garage. It’ll get you there a bit quicker than going through Almondine, but you have to be careful. Some of these youngsters drive like lunatics down there.”

Carla thanked her and set off for work. The road she’d indicated was really easy to find and Carla reckoned it should get her there much quicker, cutting her walking time almost in half. Things seemed to be looking up at last. It felt great to have a proper job for a change. After working at the drug store for Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, she had taken a couple of bar jobs. She enjoyed the social side of it, but the long hours played havoc with her aching feet, especially as she was working at three different bars so she was always rushing across town to make it to her shifts on time. She was glad that this job meant she could just wear her sneakers or boots instead of the high heels she was used to.

Maggie had been right about the traffic along the back road, though, and she jumped onto the grass ridge several times to avoid being hit. She assumed it must be that time of day when they were all rushing to work, and she smiled, thinking how much more relaxed her life was now.

Jerome Pearson had fast become a distant memory and she cursed herself for ever being taken in by him in the first place. She had thought he was handsome, but now that she had met Matt Shearer she realized he was as ugly as a bulldog chewing a wasp. Matt Shearer was a real man too—he worked for a living, unlike Jerome, who flitted from one scam to another. Now she knew why—if he was stealing the whole time he didn’t need to get a job! She couldn’t get over the fact that he had stolen from Mr. Roberts, though—that man was her friend and Jerome knew that better than anyone. She had been heartbroken when Betty, his wife, had died of a heart attack, and Jerome had even driven her to the funeral!

“Good morning.” Mrs. Taylor passed her as she made her way up the main street of Pelican’s Heath, which was already quite busy. “My daughter’s boutique is having a sale on. It’s just down there,” the old lady informed her.

“Thank you, I’ll take a look later,” Carla promised, wondering if the woman was hinting at her attire. She looked down at her battered sneakers, faded jeans and her brightly-colored cotton top. She had felt really good about herself when she got ready this morning and had even applied a little make-up, but now she wondered if she’d done enough. She didn’t have much money left and wouldn’t be paid from the shop until the end of the week. Even then she still had to pay for her room for the following week and food. She sighed, her excitement from earlier dwindling fast.

She managed to smile to everyone she passed on her way to the shop, though, and was greeted at the door by Delores.

“Good morning. I’m not late am I?” Carla felt herself go bright red as her boss frowned.

“Of course not, dear. I was just popping over to get some fresh bagels to go with our coffee. I don’t know about you but I’m famished already.” Delores smiled at her and giggled conspiratorially about the food.

“Great.” Carla sighed with relief and carried on inside the shop.

“Good morning.” Frank was standing behind the counter, while a couple of women stood grumbling about the price of potatoes in the left-hand aisle.

“Morning, Frank. Has she left you holding the fort?”

He grinned. “Only until you got here. You’re early, by the way.”

Carla glanced up at the wall clock and was pleased to notice that it was only twenty-five minutes to nine. She saw all the daily newspapers on the counter and realized that Frank and Delores would have had a really early start. No wonder Delores was hungry! She took over from Frank with a smile.

“Oh, I almost forgot—someone came in here looking for you last night,” Frank said as he suddenly popped his head back around the door.

Carla felt her heart race and her insides suddenly glow red-hot. She felt sick and trembled with fear as she stared at him, not daring to ask who it was.