MAY 8, 1860
Groaning, Elena laid back on her bed. She had just looked through the PEG and saw the small ad placed by the new Mr. and Mrs. Saunders. It's bad enough I didn't have a chance to sample him before he was married, she thought, but now I have to be reminded of the wedding, too. Ever since arriving in town Elena had her heart set on capturing Luke Saunders, she had tried to meet him in the two weeks she had been in town, but he had always been busy either planning the wedding or being with his intended.
Elena got up and walked to her mirror turning this way and that way examining her firm body. Smiling at what she saw, she kissed her reflection then turned and walked out of her room and down the stairs. As she came into the parlor she saw Dean and Anjanette talking.
"Where's Nessa?"
Dean glanced at her, "She went out to walk around town."
"Well I hope she's trying to get us some customers. I'm getting bored sitting around here all day and night doing nothing."
Dean looked at Anjanette and rolled his eyes. "You wanna take this or should I?"
Anjanette smiled, "I'll do it." Turning to Elena she smiled at her condescendingly. "We only have a few days until the grand opening, then you'll have your pick of men to spend time with."
"Well, the one I want won't be coming here anytime soon. Can you believe he doesn't even know I exist?" Elena shook her head, "Me. I am just as beautiful as that Meghan person, how could he not notice me?"
Anjanette grabbed the younger woman's arm. "Now you listen to me Elena. You will leave Luke Saunders and his wife alone. Do you understand me? I will not have you breaking up new marriages and causing trouble. I've told you that already."
Elena pulled her arm out of Anjanette's grasp. "I won't do anything he doesn't want me to do. I can be just as patient as anyone. I know he'll come here eventually and when he walks through those doors, he's mine." She looked at Dean, "That means no telling Vanessa or any other girl we might have, to take care of him."
Anjanette sighed heavily. "Fine. If you promise to keep your distance from him for now, we'll promise that if he comes in you'll be the first one to have a chance at him."
Elena smiled broadly. "I promise not to go out of my way to see him. But I won't be able to help it if I just happen to bump into him in town."
Anjanette shook her head slowly as Elena smiled slyly and skipped out of the room. "She is going to be the death of me." She muttered.
Dean watched her as well, "Too bad she's good at what she does and makes us a lot of money, or we'd be able to get rid of her. Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on Elena. I'll make sure she stays out of trouble."
"Watching Elena, is a full time job in itself. Let's trust her for now. She doesn't want to get us in trouble. She's just a little self-centered. Once the newness of the town wears off she'll be fine."
Dean nodded slightly. He hoped Anjanette was right.