Free The Price of Trust by Amanda Stephan

Billy? Is this you? If it is, grow up!" she hollered and hung up.
    Sam came to the front. "Another prank?" he asked. She nodded, her face pale.
    "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Here's a customer." And Sam went back to inventory the shelves.
    A short, ugly man wearing an expensive double-breasted suit walked in. Carly didn't recognize him from town.
    "May I help you?" she asked, warily giving him a slight smile.
    "I need nails," he barked rudely. He kept staring at her, and it unnerved her. She showed him to the nails.
    "Here you go," she said as politely as she could and hurried away.
    She was sweeping the front of the store when he finally came back to the counter fifteen minutes later.
    "Are you ready?" She put the broom down and went to check him out. He put one box of nails on the counter silently and stared at her. Carly rushed to get this ugly man out of the store. He was making her extremely nervous. "That's three fifty please."
    He wordlessly handed her a fifty. She gave him change and went back to sweeping. He didn't leave right away. He just stood there for a few seconds longer.
    "Is there anything else you need or want?" she asked guardedly, gripping the broom handle just in case she needed to defend herself.
    "Nope," he said, sneering at her. It made her skin crawl. This guy was a real creep.
    Sam came to the front after he left.
    "Did you know that guy?" Carly asked, watching him walk across the street.
    "Nope. But judging from the way he was toward you, I'd have to say he was a relative of Billy Pruit's!" Sam laughed.
    Carly saw Joe's truck drive by. She'd thought that he might come by today, and she was apprehensive.
    "Sam, may I take a break?" she asked, hoping he didn't see Joe drive by. She couldn't see him right now, and it would look odd to Sam if she didn't talk to him.
    "Sure. Have fun," he said off-handedly. He hadn't seen Joe. Carly almost ran upstairs, the bell tinkling behind her as she closed her door silently.
    "Hey there, Sam!" Joe called, looking around. "Where's Carly?"
    "Just missed her. I just let her go on break," Sam replied. "I hear you all had a good dinner last night."
    "Yes, we did. I had a great time," he said, disappointed. "How long will she be on break?"
    "I usually give her about fifteen minutes for a break. You're welcome to wait here, if you're wanting to. She usually comes back early. How do your parents like her?"
    "Well, I guess they like her. We really haven't talked about her much. You know what, I'll try back later before you close. I've got some other things to do as well. Will you please tell her I was looking for her?" Joe said distractedly. He was hoping that if he left quickly he could see her in town. "Bye, Sam," he called over his shoulder.
    "Yep, bye," answered Sam.
    Carly watched him leave before she came back down.
    "You just missed Joe, Red," Sam called over his shoulder. He was inventorying again. Carly came over to help him. "He said he'd try back before we closed."
    "Oh, okay," Carly mumbled. She didn't know how she was going to avoid him, but she was going to give it her best effort.
     
    Joe stopped at the little hotel Kelly worked at as receptionist and all around assistant. She was at the front desk when he walked in.
    "Joe!" she said, a happy smile brightened her face. "Wow, this is a surprise. What brings you to town in the afternoon?"
    "Hi, Kelly. Has Todd called you yet?"
    "No, the phones have been pretty busy. Why? Did he need something?"
    "I need to ask you a few questions. I'm not sure if you can give me any answers, but maybe you could help me out."
    Kelly was intrigued. "Sure. I'll see what I can do. What do you need?"
    "Last night Todd and I saw a BMW in town, and we were wondering if the owners were staying here?" Joe asked quietly, looking around to make sure no one was listening.
    "BMW. Hmm. Let me look, just a minute," she answered. The phone rang, and she picked it up. "Bailey Bed and Breakfast. May I help you? Oh hi, Todd. Joe's