Alexa paid for the camera, and then Bart’s nephew helped her to get it ready for immediate use.
As she carried her items out of the store, she couldn’t help but search for Michael. It wasn’t difficult to spot him way across the store, standing above even the higher racks as he spoke to Bart, the owner.
Michael was very attractive just like Chad. He had brown hair but the same blue eyes. Michael really made her nervous, and both men kind of gave orders when they spoke. They were both mysterious looking and also powerful. Those were two qualities she’d had enough of from her past.
The way they walked, the way they dressed, and the way people responded to them had to do with their military backgrounds, so they were most likely used to order and respect.
She was staring at him when he looked up and caught her eye. He smiled at her, and she gave a little nod in acknowledgment but nothing more. She didn’t want him to think that she was flirting. God knew she wouldn’t want him to approach her again or she would make a total fool of herself. Men like him and his brother wanted experienced women. She wasn’t experienced at all.
Today was a big step already. She sure didn’t need to throw in a quiet conversation, alone with one of the town’s hottest bachelors. No thanks. She wasn’t too thrilled that she was attracted to both Michael and Chad. She saw the women who flaunted themselves at them. She saw how often they disappeared out of town, and she also saw them on their motorcycles. They were bad boys, and she was a virgin.
* * * *
Alexa was in her glory three hours later. She had taken so many pictures and was able to look back at the camera to see if she got the shots she was hoping for. It was as if something deep inside of her was let free. She didn’t care about anything, including eating as she continued on her adventure. She took pictures of the town, the many storefronts like Stella’s Boutique, and the gorgeous violet flowers that continued to bloom despite the cold fall temperatures. She took pictures of Main Street, the Delite diner, Halligan’s Household Supplies that was done up in green with shamrocks decorating most of the storefront. She also took pictures of a fancy Mustang parked right outside of Delite Salon and an old-fashioned fire truck that the fire station pulled out in front, prepared to wash it down. Next weekend was the Delite Fall Festival. The local farmers like Dudley Farms, Sherlock Farms, and Manchester Farms were providing hayrides, pumpkin-carving contests, homemade pies, and other goodies, plus events for the kids of Delite. It was going to be a great time.
Then she made her way to the pavilion in the center of town, smack in the middle where all the traffic moved around the circle to get to the nearby parking in the three commuter parking areas. It made shopping safer and nicer for the patrons.
She climbed the white steps of the pavilion and snapped pictures of the statues and historic monument established for Delite’s founder, Dwight D’Lite. The story on the plaque indicated that Mr. D’Lite did not want to name the town after himself but after his loving wife Sylvia. But the townspeople insisted that it be named after him, and so he compromised, coming up with a near-identical name.
It was getting late, and the clouds were moving in, and she was pushing the limit on giving herself enough time to get changed before work tonight. She did still have the new skirts and tops that her sister picked out for her in the car, but they were short and sexy. Nothing like Alexa’s style. She cringed just thinking about wearing them, especially with the boots she had on. The short skirt, low-cut blouse, and high boots would make her look too sexy and stand out. She didn’t want to stand out. She wanted to blend in.
She pulled all her stuff together and saw the dark clouds moving in. The wind was picking up, sending leaves tumbling along the grass and roadways as the trees shuffled together. Another storm. She was hoping to be inside Dixie Chix by the time it hit. With all the loud music and bar action, she really wouldn’t hear the rumbling of the thunder. She wished she could get over her fear of the storms. The thought as to why she was so affected by them gave her the chills. Especially with the wind churning like this, she practically heard their deep voices in the wind and their demands for her to show herself or suffer the consequences. She shook at the memory of her uncles and their men. They beat her anyway, nearly sending her into a coma.
She started the car and heard that extra little hiccup from the engine. Yeah, poor Mel was on his way out. Would he make it through the winter?
As she headed out of town and along Farmer’s Pass, she heard a loud noise and then the car began to jerk. Holding the steering wheel, she eased it onto the shoulder as it stopped. She tried turning the key, but the ignition wouldn’t start.
“Shit!”
Just then a bolt of lightning illuminated the sky. She looked for her cell phone, hoping to be able to call her sister or someone for help. Her purse was in the backseat, and she got out of the car to reach into her bag. The sound of an approaching vehicle concerned her. Farmer’s Pass was a long stretch of road that led to farmland, developments, Dixie Chix, and then Cellar County. The large black SUV pulled right behind her vehicle. She couldn’t see through the tinted windows, and immediately she began to shake. She jumped back into her car and locked the doors as she searched through her pocketbook for her damn cell phone.
The knock on her window made her gasp, and she looked up to see Michael Phillips.
* * * *
Michael was surprised to see the car on the side of the road. He immediately recognized it as Alexa’s and he saw her standing there appearing helpless. His gut clenched with concern. Anyone could come down Farmer’s Pass. They could try to hurt her. She was petite, shy, and very young. Too young and gorgeous to be alone on a side road. He was shocked at how possessive and angry he felt. Didn’t the woman know better? Even as he spoke to her back inside Bart’s store, she was shy and timid. Anyone with bad intentions could harm her. He watched as she jumped into her car, probably locking the doors as he approached. He shook his head. Like that would do her any good.
He cautiously approached the window and knocked, as she seemed to rummage through her purse.
When she looked up, her light blue eyes looked wild. She was scared and he was the culprit. The thought bothered him. He didn’t want her to be scared of him. He wanted her to notice him, to possibly like him. Her perfume had lingered in the air back at the store after she walked away.
Once she recognized him, she seemed to be contemplating whether or not she should roll down the window. Obviously with the car not started she couldn’t. She opened the door only allowing enough space to speak.
“Do you need something?” she asked him, and he had to hide his chuckle. Was she or was she not stuck on the side of the road with car trouble.
“Is something wrong with your car? I saw you pulled over and no one in their right mind would risk pulling over on the shoulder of Farmer’s Pass unless they had to. Especially not
with a storm like this one brewing.” He looked up toward the dark sky just as light drops of rain began to fall. He was once again annoyed at her naiveté. Hadn’t anyone taught this woman how to be cautious?
“Oh, it’s okay, I was just looking for my phone to call my sister.”
“Why don’t you pop the hood and let me take a look.”
“Why?”
He raised one eyebrow at her and she shyly looked down. Her submissive reaction stirred his cock big-time. He licked his bottom lip and cleared his throat. “Darlin’, pop the hood and let me see if I can help you.”
She reached down and pulled the lever. He strode around the front of the car as lightning struck in the far distance. A storm was heading in, and he was thankful that he was the one driving down Farmer’s Pass.