Sultry Nights (Servicemen of Blossom Springs #2)

Chapter 1

1

H anna browsed the aisles of the resale store hoping to find the perfect bathroom vanity. It irked her that she had to purchase a fixer-upper, because of circumstances out of her control. But she was making this little place her own. One no one else would be able to take away from her. She worked damned hard; at the bakery by three a.m. every morning and working well into the evening to get the bakery ready for the next day. She mopped herself out of the door each evening only to start all over again, day after day.

She stopped in front of a vanity. It didn't have a top, so she'd have to find one for it. It had a few scratches in it. Running her finger along the scratches, she decided they weren't too deep to worry about. She'd sand it and refinish it, anyway. Leaning forward she picked up the bright yellow tag to see the price. She blew out a breath before turning her head to see another vanity.

Stepping to the second vanity, she noticed it was slightly larger. Bonus. She stooped and bent to see the sides. No scratches. Nice. She ran her fingers along the finish and smiled at the smoothness. Turning the tag, she noticed it was less expensive than the other one, and this one had a pretty faux granite top. Her brows furrowed slightly and a male voice asked, "Can I help you with something?"

She jumped and turned to see an older gentleman wearing one of those bright green shirts with a name badge. Frank. "Oh..." She swallowed. "I was just...no, it's alright."

"Well, that doesn't sound very convincing. Tell me what I can do for you."

She felt her cheeks and her chest warm. "Oh." She took a deep breath. "I was trying to figure out why this vanity is less expensive than that one over there." She pointed. "That one has scratches on it. This one doesn't."

The man nodded and chuckled. "That other one is a name-brand vanity. It has dovetail joints. This one is glued and tacked."

She nodded. "Okay. Well, this one fits my budget better, so I'd like this one, please."

He chuckled. "Aren't you Hanna from Mae's Bakery?"

Her cheeks burned a bit brighter. "Yes. I am." She swallowed to remove the lump that had formed in her throat and took a deep breath to calm her excitedly beating heart.

Frank nodded. "The missus and I love your cinnamon rolls. It's our special treat for certain days."

Hanna smiled. His brows were thick and needed a trim, but his eyes were kind. Fading blue and surrounded by the wrinkles of time.

"Thank you so much. It's my grandmother's recipe. I'm so glad you like them. "

Frank chuckled. "I'd eat them every day if my wife, and my doctor, allowed me to."

She grinned. "Doctors and wives always spoil a good thing."

Frank laughed and nodded. "You've got that right. But it doesn't completely stop me from enjoying them. Hang tight for a minute and I'll go get a dolly and bring it up front for you."

"Thank you. "

He limped away and her heart hurt a bit for him. He seemed happy enough and as he moved toward her, pushing a low dolly with old orange shag carpeting wrapped around it, he smiled brightly. He stopped the dolly near the vanity and she stepped forward. "Let me help you."

"No, it's fine. I'm okay. I know I don't look like much these days, but I can handle this."

She wanted to ask if he was sure, but didn't want to offend him. She steadied the dolly as he lifted the vanity and set it on the carpeted area. He smiled brightly, "See? I can still do some things."

"Oh, I don’t want you to think I didn't think you could."

He chuckled and waved her off. "I didn't think so. I have an old war wound in my hip. I'm an Army veteran and proud of it. But this old body is feeling the effects of some of the battles I bore."

Hanna's eyes watered slightly. "Thank you for your service, Frank. I appreciate it. My father and brother both served in the Army as well."

"It's my pleasure, little lady. It was my honor to do so."

She wanted to hug him but refrained. He began pushing the dolly with her vanity perched on it, and she followed behind him, chastising herself for feeling sorry for him and herself earlier. There were many folks out there who had it worse than she did.

She sucked in a deep breath and pulled her shoulders back. She found a vanity and her little bungalow was coming along. She still had her bakery, and she was starting a new life. Things could be worse.

Frank parked her vanity near the register. "Do you need to do any more shopping?"

She smiled at his sweet face. "No, this is it for today."

"Okay. Shirley here will ring you up, and I'll help you get this in your car. Or truck. Which is it?" He twisted and looked out of the glass door to the parking area.

"I have my dad's truck outside."

He nodded. "Perfect."

She set her little purse on the tray at the register and pulled out her debit card. Shirley smiled and nodded. She moved the handheld scanner near the price tag and the register beeped.

"That's thirty-five dollars."

Hanna handed her debit card to Shirley, who scanned it into their older cash register. The LED readout came back red and said "declined." Hanna's heart hammered in her chest.

Shirley turned to her, a frown on her face. "I'm sorry, but your card is declined."

The heat rose up her body faster than a raging inferno. She felt the sweat trickle down her back and her fingers shook. She opened her purse and mumbled, "It should work. I'm so sorry, I do have money in the bank." She pulled her wallet from the bottom of her purse and opened it. There were a few dollars inside, but not enough. She pulled them out and counted. A ten-dollar bill, three fives, and seven singles. Thirty-two dollars. She dug to the bottom of her purse and found some quarters. She stacked them four high. One dollar. She began counting out the dimes and nickels in her coin purse when the door opened and a woman sauntered to the register. She stood watching Hanna's shame. Frank shifted on his feet and Shirley sniffed.

Hanna finally stopped counting. Her shoulders fell forward and tears sprang to her eyes. It shouldn't be this hard. Life. She'd done nothing in her life to deserve this.

Her bottom lip quivered, and she sniffed. "I'm sorry to bother you all. I don't have enough. I'm so sorry." She turned to see Frank looking completely uncomfortable. He stuck his hand in his pocket, and she shook her head. "No. Thank you. But no."

The woman who had been standing by watching stepped forward. "Are you trying to buy this vanity?"

Hanna swallowed and took a deep breath. "I was."

The woman smiled. She was pretty. Her nails were perfect and red. Her blonde hair was cut into a short, straight bob with severely straight bangs. Her green eyes were framed with thick, dark lashes. She looked like a wealthy socialite. And completely out of place here.

"Today is your lucky day, then. I have a vanity in the back of my truck that I need to get rid of. I was bringing it here, but I think you should have it. If you want it, that is."

Hanna shook her head. "You don't have to do that for me."

"I don't have to do anything at all. All I want in exchange for that vanity is for you to tell me why you don't have any money."

Hanna stared into her green eyes. They were light and looked almost like they'd glow with the dark lashes around them. Her lips were painted red to match her nails. Her clothing was expensive, and nothing seemed to make sense.

Hanna took another breath. "My ex-husband was a..." She swallowed. "Is a gambler. I think he somehow still has access to my bank account."

"Men. I swear." She sniffed haughtily. "My ex is about to stop paying my alimony. He's filthy rich but is going to stop paying me. I stayed home at his request and raised our two children. Then, he had the nerve to tell me he was done with me. Just like I'm garbage."

Hanna's heartbeat increased. "I'm sorry."

She glanced out of the glass door to see the vanity in the back of a truck. This woman no more fit with a truck than the Queen of England did, but here she was.

The woman stepped forward and held out her hand. "My name is Tisha Barkley. I'm remodeling my home before my disgusting ex-husband stops paying me. It’s the least he can do. Plus, my son works in the construction business too, and is helping out. I have a very nice vanity out there, but it doesn't fit my new color scheme. I'd like you to have it."

Hanna swallowed the lump that formed instantly in her throat. She cleared her throat, to completely remove said lump. "Thank you."

Frank grinned. "How about I help you ladies move that vanity?"