Innocently Guilty

Chapter 2. Bella's POV

It had been a whole week since the bookstore incident, and I had yet to encounter another meeting with Mr. Green Eyed asshole. Not that I wanted another meeting, by any means. I enjoyed my life the way it was, and I didn't need another man screwing me over the way my ex-fiance had. I was perfectly fine being wild and free, much to the chagrin of the old town gossip. Whispers regarding my old maid status circulated at every social gathering ,but one thing was certain, in their opinion. I was not marriage material. Men wanted submissive, gentle women whose only life purpose was to selflessly care for them and push out their babies. I, Bella Rose, was not the submissive housewife type. Plus, they all thought I was slightly crazy and delusional.

My thoughts were interrupted by the tinkling of the bell above the door as two giggling girls walked in.

"He's soooo handsome!" One of the girls gushed.

"I think his father is more my type," the other girl cooed.

I recognized the two girls as Mattie Hatfield, daughter of Mayor Hatfield and Lydia Sparks, daughter of our town banker, Joseph Sparks. The two had just come of age and were very popular among the available men in our village and neighboring towns. My stomach fluttered as I realized who the subject of their conversation must be.

"Oh, you are scandalous, Lydia!" Mattie giggled.

"Aren't I, though?" Lydia replied, coyly,batting her eyelashes.

An unexpected pang of jealousy rippled through my body, and I felt a lump of emotions form in my throat. Stop being ridiculous, I scolded myself harshly. Of course, you never stood a chance. It was an intimate moment. Nothing more. I swallowed the lump and cleared my throat loudly. Both girls whipped their heads in my direction. "May I help you ladies find something?" I asked politely, ignoring their irritated glares.

Lydia sighed in exasperation. "Mother sent us to pick up some stationary paper and an inkwell. Like we don't have anything better to do with our day."

"Oh? I asked, feigning interest to hide my annoyance. "What could be more fun than running errands for your mother?"

The girls gasped as though I had just asked them to roll around in the mud.

"Haven't you heard?" Mattie exclaimed.. "There's a new arrival in town, and he sooo handsome!"

Lydia clapped her hand over Matties mouth, shushing her, and glanced dramatically around the room. "I told you it's a secret!" She scolded her friend. "We don't want everyone knowing until we've had a chance to make our acquaintance."

Mattie's brown eyes widened. "Oooh," She slowly nodded in understanding and turned to me. "You can keep a secret right, Bella?"

Lydia snorted. "Of course she can, silly!" Who is she going to tell? The forest creatures?"

Mattie looked slightly uncomfortable at her friend's insolent behavior and smiled at me apologetically. Lydia, however, kept rattling on like an entitled imbecile. " It's not like we have to worry about her being any sort of competition. Mother says-"

"Lydia Sparks!!" Mattie exclaimed nervously. " Manners."

Lydia sighed dramatically and shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever," she said carelessly. She glanced in my direction like I was less than a bug on her shoe. "Do you have my purchases?"

By this point I was ready to jump over the counter and strangle this b***h, but by some miracle I held my temper in check. "Of course, Miss Sparks,"I replied, hoping the anger seething through my very pores was not obvious. I need to get them out of here as quickly as possible before I snap and turn into the crazy lady the whole town thinks I already am. "As a matter of fact, its on me today." I handed her a beautifully wrapped package still smiling politely

"Have a lovely day!"

To my amusement, Lydia appeared taken aback, but Mattie was quick on her feet. She grabbed her friend's arm and began ushering her towards the front door. "THANK you, Miss Thorngarden," she called out to me over her shoulder. "Have a lovely rest of your day!" And with that the bell tingled and the door slammed shut.

I stood there for a brief moment, staring at the door the two girls just departed through. I realized I was more angry with myself for allowing a brief, steamy encounter with a stranger stir up meaningless emotions within my body than I was at the two shallow creatures who had just inhabited my building.

Enough of this nonsense, Bella, I chided myself firmly. I stomped over to the front door and without hesitation flipped the 'Open' sign to 'Closed' and slammed the locks into place. I needed to get out of here and clear my head and what better place than a long stroll to my favorite spot deep in the forest?