Chapter 4 #2
As I slip in and out of the pants, I hear voices in the shop.
Victoria’s and a deep, gravelly voice, speaking in hushed tones.
Not wanting to eavesdrop, I return my focus to the pants.
Thankfully, at 5’6”, I don’t need petite or tall, so most of them fit.
I hold the pants up to the light one by one, examining them for loose threads, worn areas, and stains, then choose the two that look the best.
Walking out, I hang up the ones I don’t want, then head to the register where Victoria’s standing near a big, tall man with his back to me.
My feet falter when I see his dark, wavy hair and broad shoulders, and for a second, my heart skips a few beats.
But then, my artist’s eye automatically captures the differences between the man in my vision and the one turning to face me.
Similar but distinct. Instead of hair the color of an espresso, this guy’s hair is a silky black with longer, tousled waves on top as if he can’t be bothered to get a regular haircut.
His shoulders and chest are broader too.
Overall, he’s big and muscular instead of broad tapering into lean like the man in my dream.
His eyes find mine the second he turns, and I suck in a shocked breath.
Those eyes. Deep blue with long, ebony lashes.
I must have seen them a dozen times over the last two years.
Drawn them countless more. In person, their impact is more potent, and I shakily exhale.
But it’s more than their shape or color; the promise in them tugs at something deep inside me.
My eyes sweep over the rest of him, needing to see how his other features fill in all the blank spots.
He has a strong, dominant face, well-defined with a prominent brow, high cheekbones, and a jaw carved from stone.
Only his full lips and the cleft in his chin soften the effect. I linger on that last familiar feature.
I’m guessing he’s in his thirties. Maybe mid-thirties? Unlike the boys I went out with in college, this is a man in every sense of the word. I sigh wistfully. Men never look twice at someone like me.
But he’s looking now. Staring, in fact. Narrow eyes watch me closely as if I’m a thief he suspects of stealing the family silver. I don’t care. Losing the fight with myself, I step in front of him and tilt my head back.
Standing this close, he appears to be at least a foot taller. I slide my gaze down his thick neck to the hint of dark hair I see peeking out of his V-neck sweater. Heat rises as a blush steals across my cheeks.
He waves a hand in front of my face, and I blink.
Oops. Did he say something? I flash him an apologetic smile. “Sorry, lost in thought. What did you say?”
“New to town?” he asks in his gruff tone, scanning me from head to toe.
“Hmm, yes,” I manage to reply. “I’m Charli.”
The immense breadth of his body and the sensuous scent of man and aftershave tickle my nose and my senses until all I see and feel is him.
“Is something wrong?” I ask huskily, wondering why he’s staring at me. For a second, his deep blue eyes appear to glow, but he blinks, and I realize it must have been a trick of the light.
“Sorry, I… Welcome to Greystone,” he replies gruffly as he turns back to Victoria. “I’ve got an extra sleeping bag. Will bring it by in about an hour, if that works?”
Victoria nods. “Thanks, Macklin. I appreciate it.”
“Sure thing. Let me know if you need anything else.” The bell chimes as he hurries out the door.
Victoria turns toward me with a smile on her face. “I didn’t have any sleeping bags, so I called around. Macklin stopped by to let me know he has a couple of extras. However, it will take him about an hour to run his errands, grab them, and return. You’re welcome to stay here until he gets back.”
Macklin. A pang of embarrassment hits me. No wonder he rushed out of here with me standing here, staring at him like a crazy person.
I exhale and shake my head. “I need to run a few errands myself, then I’ll return.” I hand her the clothes I want to buy, careful not to touch her. “Is it okay if I pay for these now?” Hopefully, I’ll have enough left over to splurge on the sleeping bag.
Smile brightening, she cheerfully rings it all up. “Seventeen dollars.”
I blink. While I didn’t see any tags, that doesn’t seem like enough. “Did you get everything? The coat, too?” When she nods, I frown but tap my card. “That’s great. Once I get paid, I’ll come back for more.”
She lifts a brow. “Oh, I thought you were passing through on your way to the campground.” Her brows draw together. “Where are you working?”
I pause, wondering if I should say anything, but based on the work clothes lying on the counter, at some point I decided to stay. “Granite Securities. Do you know it?” Then realize that’s a stupid question. In a town this size, I’m sure she does.
She chokes out a laugh. With her eyes sparkling, she hands over the bag with my coat and clothes. “I do. It’s a great place to work. I guess you’ll be staying in Greystone?”
“Looks like it,” I reply with only a little hesitation. “I thought it was called Greystone Vale?”
She hesitates for a second, then shrugs. “Locals shorten it to Greystone. Welcome to town.”
“Got it,” I say, making a mental note. “Is there a twenty-four-hour gym close by, or one that opens early and closes late? And a laundromat?”
Grabbing a piece of paper, she draws me a quick map with a few things on it, including a place to get groceries.
“Thanks, this is great,” I tell her as I tear off a piece and write my number on it. “This is my cell. Please call me if he’s able to spare a sleeping bag.”
As I walk toward the door, she calls, “Oh, count on it. Macklin will do whatever it takes to help someone out.”