Wild Heart- Extended Edition (The Wild Heart Series) by Jennifer Culbreth Read Free Book Online Page B

friends.
    “I am good, honey, and I am still the crafting queen of Coker Creek Baptist,” she said smiling, “and actually, it’s Mrs. Thomas now,” she smiled, flashing a very shiny diamond ring.
    “Well congratulations!” Ani embraced her.
    “Thank you. I didn’t think I would re-marry after Bill passed, but John came along and swept me off my feet,” she gushed, “You know, I’m the branch manager at the credit union now?”
    “No, ma’am, I didn’t know that.” Ani felt as though Mrs. Thomas was trying to lead up to something, she just wasn’t sure what.
    “I am. I’ve been there for the past three years,” her southern drawl lingered even when she stopped speaking, “Your dad was telling me about how you were working for the Federal Reserve up in New York.”
    “Yes, ma’am. I started working there after I graduated. I left when daddy got sick and came back home about a week ago.”
    Ok, ok, let’s get to it already.
    “Well, we’d love to have someone with your expertise over at the credit union. Have you decided what you’re gonna do for work yet?”
    Ani actually hadn’t thought about work much since she’d gotten back in town. She knew that her savings would eventually be spent and she’d have to find work before it was gone to insure that she and her father had a cushion. There wasn’t much work in this town, but she assumed she would eventually find something. Or if it was up to her dad, she’d be married off in the next few months and it wouldn’t matter.
    “No I haven’t. I’d love to swing by next week and chat if you have anything open,” Ani grinned.
    “Oh, I thought you’d never ask!” Mrs. Thomas said too excitedly for Ani’s aching head. “What do you say to coming in on Tuesday? Just swing by around nine and we can do an informal interview. It’ll be nice to catch up.” Mrs. Thomas’ smile grew as if she’d just found a prized possession.
    “Sure, that sounds great.”
    “Great, I’ll see you then. I gotta get going before my ham hocks thaw out. I’ll see you this coming week,” Mrs. Thomas patted Ani’s back as she headed off down the aisle.
    Ani grinned at how much Mrs. Thomas had changed, though one thing was for sure, her sweet southern demeanor was still there; that hadn’t diminished one bit. Now she’d offered Ani an interview and possibly a job. Ani knew the ins and outs of banking so she wasn’t intimidated by an interview at the local credit union.
    After finishing her shopping, and talking to another handful of people she hadn’t seen in years, she pushed her buggy out towards her truck. She strolled out into the cross walk unaware of anything happening around her, until she caught the faint glimpse of a black shape out of the corner of her eye. She made her way over to her truck just as the black figure transformed into the outline of a motorcycle and pulled in to the parking space right beside her. For a second her heart skipped a beat. Was it the man from downtown the other day? She walked slowly, never letting her eyes leave the man as he un-snapped his helmet and set it down onto his motorcycle. His long hair was pulled into a tight bun on the top of his head while his long beard flowed down messily off his chin.
    What did Mrs. Bell call him? Oh yeah, Knox. Even his name was sexy. She jumped at the sharp and unexpected sound of a horn honking to her right and waved in apology as she hurried the rest of the way across the street.
    Great, no way he isn’t going to notice me now.
    Just as before, when she’d walked across the street downtown, she could feel his eyes burning into her. Not a part of her was unaffected by his gaze. She smiled politely in his direction as she made her way to the back of her truck. Her heart was pounding and she wasn’t sure why. But she was sure it was something about his mysterious and dark eyes, mixed with the intrigue of knowing nothing about him. The thought of merely speaking to him sent shivers