Read Fool's Gold for Free Online Page B

through her shower. If she lingered, Mel was certain, given the thoughts she had about Addie, she’d wind up back in bed, vibrator in hand—
or someplace like that
. Smiling at the thought, she finished her shower with little fanfare. She really didn’t feel like pleasuring herself again. She wanted to see Addie.

    Dressed in jeans and a pink blouse, she applied just a touch of makeup to her lightly tanned face. Pulling her shoulder-length hair back while it was still wet, Mel wove it into the French braid she normally wore for work. Her bangs were long but didn’t reach the braid, so she brushed them to the side. She sprayed a light mist of cologne over her chest then strolled out to her living room.
    It wasn’t a long walk. Her apartment was small, but it had suited her fine since moving to Cattle Valley a few years ago. Two years of college and partying at Iowa State University had left her with few credits and a lot of confusion about what she wanted to do with her life.
    Her parents were both pharmacists, and her brother was following their path. He was midway through the gruelling course of study. Mel knew she’d never survive six years of college nor all the math and science the degree required. She wasn’t sure she wanted to spend her days dispensing pills behind the counter of some big box store pharmacy, anyway.
    When she’d heard about Cattle Valley from some friends who’d passed through on vacation, she and Sarah, her girlfriend at the time, had decided to visit. Mel had fallen in love with the town and jumped at the opportunity when she’d spotted a
‘help wanted’
sign in the bookstore. Sarah, more focused, had returned to school to finish her accounting degree. They still kept in touch, cards at Christmas, mainly. Mel knew her former best friend was happy with her job and a new lover back in their hometown of Ames.
    Mel made some toast and ate, standing at the sink, thinking. There was really no reason to pop in on Addie at the inn, other than concern about how she was doing after the previous traumatic day.
And my need to see her
. Mel couldn’t explain it and didn’t really want to figure it out. She just wanted another glimpse of Addie Murphy.
    Mel had left their fridge decently stocked the night before, so she knew they weren’t desperate for food. But cinnamon rolls from Brynn’s Bakery—they weren’t food, they were a guilty pleasure. She’d pick up some and use them as an excuse to stop by the inn.
    The bakery was crowded on Saturday mornings, so she waited patiently in line. Just as she reached the front, Gill came in from the kitchen. “Hey, Mel.” He nodded at her then leaned down to plant a kiss on the cheek of the man in a wheelchair behind the counter.
    “And hey to you, too, good looking.”
    Kyle, Gill’s handsome husband, looked up at him and smiled. “Hey, babe.”

    Mel thought they made a romantic couple. She gave them a moment then said, “Hi, Gill, Kyle. I thought I’d take some cinnamon rolls over to the new owner of Apple Valley Inn.
    Four ought to do it. No, make it six.” She waggled her eyebrows.
    “You got it. I heard about what happened over there. Sorry we weren’t around.” Kyle boxed up the rolls.
    “No problem. Shep sent a bunch of guys from the Back Breaker Ranch, and with a few other people, we got the place cleaned up pretty quickly.” She looked at Gill. “There might be something you
can
do, though. Addie’s car is old, and her muffler is dragging on the ground, literally. Think you could help her out?”
    “Haven’t met a muffler I couldn’t wrangle yet. Might have to run over to Sheridan for parts if the car’s old, but I can do that.”
    “It’s old.” Mel nodded, remembering the ancient green beast. “Real old. I’ll tell her to look you up. Actually, Ryan already did, but I’ll remind her.” She paid her bill and picked up the box. “Thanks, guys. See you later.”
    “Sure thing, thanks.” Kyle nodded to her.
    “Later,