Chapter One Jolene
"Hey, Jolene, why don’t you come and steal my man?” Scowling at the women seated at the iron bistro table I hunched my shoulders and hurried past their cackling. My cheeks burned with shame.
It was like this since I was a young girl, my mother was a huge Dolly Parton fan and decided to name me after a man stealing woman in a song. The ridicule became worse when I hit puberty.
Just because I looked like the aforementioned Jolene, did not mean I had her low standards of stealing everyone’s man or woman. I was even accused of stealing girlfriends and wives.
Sighing I ripped off the papers that plastered the front of my mother’s head shop. I squinted and stepped backward and saw that someone had also spray-painted the front of the store.
“Why did she think it would be a good idea to open a*****e that sells bongs and s*x toys in a town where the church is the happening place to be.” The chill of Autumn hung in the air and I inhaled the crisp scent of leaves.
I loved the mountains and I was going to miss our small farm on the outskirts of Whitewillow Pennsylvania, but I needed to spread her wings and make something of my life.
Marie and my mother seemed content to rouse the bible thumpers and stick it to the man. I wanted more, I wanted to see the world, and I wanted to have an epic love story.
I didn’t want to be plain old Jolene Blackwell, I knew there was something more out there and if I wanted that epic love story, I was not going to find it within the confines of this small town. The dating pool was more of a puddle.
Unlocking the door I hit the lights and took out my phone to text my mother and Marie, they were supposed to be here to open the store. The last text I received was three hours ago and that was from Marie.
She and my mother were outlet shopping a few hours away. Stretching I waited for the usual tourist to come traipsing in. They would coo over the cute bongs, and act mortified when they saw the s*x toys in the back.
Usually, they walked out with nothing, occasionally the uptight housewife would walk out with a new vibrator and a sack of porn. I just assumed they were housewives; they could have been single lonely women for all I know.
The stink of weed and lube filled the air and I went around turning on the air filtering system and lit some incense. I had a small section of the shop that was dedicated to soaps, candles, and incense that I made.
The shop was decorated with my art and photographs. People always complimented the artist, yet no one ever purchased a piece. The handmade items seemed to sell better. I heard my phone chirp and I looked at the notification for email.
I have been waiting to see if I was accepted into the State college, I wanted to study art and business management. I figured at least one of the majors would prove to be fruitful. My heart thudded as I opened the email and saw it was from the college.
My palms were sweating, I didn’t want to read it if I was rejected. I wasn’t even sure I could handle the rejection. This would be the fifth college that rejected me, frowning, that seemed odd to me.
I inhaled deeply and opened the email and let out an ear-piercing squeal. I started dancing around and hugged the phone to my chest and saw that I wasn’t alone. A man stood in the middle of the store staring at me with a smirk on his face.
“That was quite the squeal little darlin, I do hope it was good news.” His drawl made my knees go weak and all I could do was stare at him stupidly. He was over six feet tall and had dirty blonde hair that was messy and long. He had rugged stubble on his face, full lips, a tan, and the most amazing golden brown eyes I have ever seen.
He cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow. That smug grin was still on his face. I felt my cheeks flame with embarrassment. I tried to get my brain to cooperate with my mouth and shook my head.
“Hi welcome to the Happy Hippy, how can I help you.” My voice sounded high-pitched and squeaky; he was still studying me as if I amused him. He licked his lips and my eyes watched the slow movement of his tongue.
Heat seared my core and he lifted his head slightly and it looked like he was sniffing the air. Oh my God can he smell that I’m aroused? Why am I so turned on by him? He moved closer and I could smell woodsmoke on him.
“I have a list here of some items that I was supposed to get I was wondering if you could help me darlin.” I whimpered as his voice dropped into a low, sexy growl. When our skin touched it was like an electric shock ran through me.
I shivered and looked at him, he was staring at her hands in a baffled way. Clearing his throat he let go of the list and I finally remembered to breathe and act like a normal person and not some potted plant.
“All right sir, let’s get your items, and thank you for choosing the Happy Hippy for all your needs.” I walked toward my area of the store and noticed most of the items were from my section of the shop and that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I could feel his eyes on me but I was now focused on filling his order and not staring at a complete stranger with my tongue flapping in the wind.
