Camilla by Linda Joyce

Author:Linda Joyce [Joyce, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: women's fiction, small town, southern
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2017-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

In the garçonnière, Jared dropped his feathered hat in a chair. Camilla would kill him for being late, but he’d make it up to her with a little surprise. He mentally congratulated himself. He had discovered ways to get through Camilla’s outer shell. Each challenge had brought them closer together. He counted on this one winning him big points.

“Haley, you go ahead inside. I’m sure you’ll find Camilla. I’ll be along in a little bit. I’ll give the two of you a few minutes before I show up to claim the glory.” He opened the door and pointed. “Just walk through the back garden. You can enter in the kitchen. Ask around for Camilla. Everyone knows her.”

Haley flung her arms around his waist. “You rock, Jared.” She scurried down the stairs in a fortuneteller’s costume. He went back inside. The airport limo had dropped Haley at the golf club, and he’d driven her to Fleur de Lis all for the purpose of bringing a smile to Camilla.

“She’s gonna love this.” He understood her better than she realized. She showed steel strength to the world, but he saw her tenderness tucked away to avoid being hurt.

Gathering his mask, he pulled it into place. Next, he adjusted the feathered hat on his head. With a glance, he checked the full-length mirror Biloxi had mounted for her photography clients. Satisfied with the costume, he struck a Musketeer pose, saber drawn. “You’ll win the damsel not-in-distress.” He chuckled, thinking about the rest of the night he had planned. “A little role-playing never hurt anyone.”

Before opening the door, he snapped off the light.

Bam!

A slamming blow to his upper back sent him to his knees. He fought for breath against the pain. A hard shove pushed him to the ground. He rolled. Curled to protect himself. A black boot impacted with his side. He rolled again. Tried to stop the attack. He managed to grab the booted foot, but the attacker stomped on the side of his neck. Shocked, Jared let go and reached for his throat. The attacker kicked his side again. For once in his life, Jared wished he carried a gun.

Jared remained still when the intruder bent over him, the man’s masked face near his ear.

“End it with Camilla! Go back to where you belong.” Whoever spoke used a voice modulator. The scent of musk combined with sweat made Jared hold his breath. He might not know the person, but from the strength and the kind of blows, it had to be a male. When the man opened the door, light from the porch streamed and illuminated the room. He caught a brief glimpse of a black hood and black boots as the man slammed the door on the way out.

“Ohhh,” Jared groaned. “Shit.” Lying on the floor, he clutched his side.

Breathing deeply, he felt his ribs. He’d suffered fractures before, back when he was rodeoing. “Sore. Not broken.” Hoisting himself up, he flipped on the light. No traces of anyone having been in the room.

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