Chapter 1 #2
It wasn’t the same town she remembered. But then, her entire life had been flipped upside down, so why should this town be any different?
It didn’t take long to reach the community center.
It was right on the edge of the patch of grass that held the gazebo.
Around the green square sat businesses like The Wandering Bloom, which sold coffee and books and flowers.
The Pancake Bar, which had the best pancakes she’d ever tasted, although she’d only treated herself to them once.
A small grocery and half a dozen other businesses.
She parked beside the community center. The second she climbed from her car, her gaze caught on a group of men heading toward Bloom.
For a second, she forgot about the call. She didn’t even hear the call-waiting song that was still on speaker. Because Connor was part of the group. And for the second time that morning, he looked right at her.
But this time, he smiled. And that small gesture made her tummy give a funny flutter.
She offered a small fraction of a smile in return before quickly looking away.
She could count on one hand the number of times they’d spoken. But there was something about him that made her feel things she hadn’t felt for a long time. Good things.
She slipped her key into the door of the community center, but when she turned it, there was no click. It was already unlocked. What the…
She stopped just inside at the sight of Lottie Fuller in the center of the large hall, setting up chairs.
Of course.
The older woman looked up. “Oh. Raven. You’re here. Sometimes you’re late so I wasn’t sure if you’d make it on time. I decided to make a start.”
She’d never been late before. “How did you get in?”
“I have a key.”
Raven’s brows flickered. “Why?”
The woman had wanted this job. She hadn’t gotten it. She should not have a key.
“Ferris gave it to me.” Lottie shot a glance at Raven’s phone. “On hold for something?”
“Lottie, you shouldn’t be letting yourself in.”
She tsked. “I know what I’m doing, dear. Unlike you, I’ve lived in this town my entire life. Don’t you worry. You go take your call.”
Frustration crawled around her chest, but then the music ended and a voice sounded over the line. “Blue Bran Bank, you’re speaking with Ramona. How can I help you?”
“Yes. Hi.” Calm, Raven. She rushed across the hall into the office at the back. “I’m calling because my checking account is empty. But it shouldn’t be. I have money.”
There was the distant sound of typing. “I can take a look. Can I have your full name, date of birth and address?”
Hinges creaked as she pulled her office door open then closed and relayed the information.
“Okay, Miss Price, I can see the account.”
“So you can see that my money’s been taken?”
“Yes. Someone withdrew the balance.”
Raven paused, something about the woman’s voice making her stomach curl. It was void of any sense of urgency. No, I’m so sorry, it looks like a mistake’s been made.
“Withdrawn by who? I’m the account holder. No one should be able to withdraw money but me.”
“Actually, the account is linked.”
“Linked?”
“Connected. To another account, for a man with the name of Alexander Cross.”
Raven shook her head even though the woman couldn’t see her. “N-no. That’s not possible. This is my account. This has always been my account.” It was why she was using it and not her shared accounts with Xander. She hadn’t touched any of that money.
“Actually, it’s been linked for over a year,” Ramona said.
“No. I need that money back.”
“Unfortunately, because the transfers were authorized under the account permissions, they don’t qualify as fraud. And it can’t be transferred back because the connected account currently has a balance of zero.”
Air hissed from Raven’s teeth. “I don’t think you understand. I need that money.”
She’d just been paid. Her next check wasn’t coming in for another two weeks. She’d miss rent. She’d have no money for food or gas, only whatever change was lying around in her car.
“I’m sorry, Miss Price, but there’s nothing I can do for you.”
Her pulse sped up, thudding so hard it pounded in her ears.
“Is there anything else I can help you with today?” the lady asked.
“Yes. I need you to close the account.” She wasn’t sure if her voice crossed the line. It kind of felt like one of those moments where she was disassociating because it all felt too heavy.
The next few minutes were a blur. By the end of the call, she distinctly heard the woman say that the account was closed, but there was no relief. Because the money was still gone.
A knock sounded at the door, then Lottie poked her head in. “Dear, did you move the cleaning spray? The tables are filthy and I can’t find anything to clean them.”
On autopilot, she opened a cabinet behind her, grabbed the items, and handed them to the woman.
“Well, this spot is a lot less convenient.” Lottie grabbed the bottle and paper towels, muttering beneath her breath as she closed the door after her.
It was all gone. The money she’d saved up and run with. Every dollar to her name.
She had nothing.
Yet again, Xander had won.
Panic bubbled in her body, tightening her chest, like there was a band around her lungs.
The walls started closing in, shrinking the office.
Nothing. She had nothing. Maybe fifty dollars in her purse. Possibly another twenty in her car. That was it.
Maybe she could ask Ferris for an advance on her pay. But he might say no. He’d probably say no. He didn’t owe her anything.
Sit. She needed to sit. But the room swayed and she didn’t know where the chair was.
The creak of the door opening sounded again.
“Lottie. Now isn’t the time.” She wasn’t sure how she made the words work. “I—”
She turned toward the door. Not Lottie.
The tall figure swayed. Or maybe that was her vision.
“Raven?”
Oh no. She was a millisecond away from passing out—and Connor Blackwood was going to get a front-row seat.