Sinful Instincts (Woodland Creek) by J. D. Hollyfield, Woodland Creek

decisions for me. I stand and head toward Melanie’s extra room. I may not have an apartment anymore, but I still have a job that requires my presence in the morning. The moment I fall into the bed, the exhaustion hits me full force. My eyes close willingly and before I have one more ounce of effort to damn Roxsin to all eternity, I pass the fuck out.

    Working at Fibber McGee’s hasn’t been all that bad. But today? Today tops the cake. Since I didn’t have any of my normal clothes, I had to borrow something from Melanie, and let’s just say Melanie’s choice of attire is barely any clothes at all. That leaves me in a mini skirt, possibly showing my butt cheeks, and a top that will cause my boobs to be black and blue from being squished together so tightly. I now see why Melanie made bigger tips than I did. I met Melanie the first day I was here. We had stopped at the local Q-Mart to pick up some toiletries, and I ran into her in the cosmetic aisle. Like, literally. I was trying to pick out some toilet paper for our apartment, and as I went to turn the corner, Melanie barreled into me. Both our hands full of items went scattering across the store floor. I was mortified, but she just dropped to her knees in a fit of laughter. I wasn’t sure if the situation was that funny or she was just a bit out there, but she was very boisterous. She went straight for the personal questions, asking who I was, and why I was there. While helping one another pick up our items, I explained how I was new in town. Her friendly approval pretty much told me I was all that and a bag of chips, so she offered to help me find a job. She told me how she worked at the local bar and grill and they were actually hiring a daytime waitress.
    Having a friend like Melanie at work was nice, because I had someone to talk to, but then there was the owner, Mr. Ferry, whose life goal, I’m convinced, was to torment all his employees, probably because his full name is Gary Ferry. I mean, who names their kid Gary Ferry ? Just thinking his name has him screaming from the back room. “Emma! How long does it take to refill the salt and pepper shakers!? We have customers; get out here now! If I wanted to hire a slow waitress, I would have!” he bellows from his office.
    “Yes, Mr. Ferry,” I reply, heading out to the main room of the bar. I look around and of course, it’s practically dead. The lunch rush was over an hour ago, and it’s always slow at this time, giving us a chance to restock the bar and kitchen. I hear the bell to the door go off and turn to greet our newest customer. Walking in, I lock eyes with Officer Bellaire.
    He sees me instantly, a smile spreading across his face. I smile back shyly, feeling guilty that I never noticed him before. “Hello, Emma,” he greets me kindly, taking off his hat like a gentleman.
    “Why, hello there, Officer Bellaire. Keeping the residents of Woodland Creek in check?”
    “It’s Aaron. Please, call me Aaron.”
    I can tell he’s nervous and it causes me to blush. “Okay, Aaron, so are you in for a late lunch or an early dinner?”
    “Oh, well, lunch if you’re still serving. It’s a bit busy at the station lately. We had a missing person’s report, and it gets a little tense when someone of our own goes missing.”
    “Oh, no,” I comment. “Anyone I know?”
    “Oh, I’m not sure. Clara, the veterinarian’s assistant. Her husband called in saying she never made it home last night. Obviously not like her. We have to wait the twenty-four hours, but her husband was pretty upset, so I took it upon myself to look into it for him.”
    “Oh, wow. That’s terrible. Have you found anything?”
    “Unfortunately, not yet. The vet, Mrs. Mitchell said she was the one who locked up last night. When she came in today, everything was exactly where it was supposed to be. Didn’t look like any foul play.”
    “Wow, that’s crazy. Well, I’m sure she will turn up.” I assure him, my mind going back to