Son of a Preacher Man - By Arianna Hart Page 0,11
eyes, though, they hadn’t changed a bit. They still sparkled with that mischievous glint that said, “I can do all sorts of wicked things to you. And you’ll love every one of them.”
And from what little she’d experienced, she had. God, she was getting hot and bothered just thinking about it. When he’d smiled and flashed his dimples, she was eighteen all over again, operating on hormones and emotions, thrilled to be noticed by the infamous J.T. McBride.
She still couldn’t believe he’d ended up back in Dale. But in a weird sort of way, it did make sense. He’d always had his pride, and if he felt his father’s reputation had been tarnished, he’d want to come back and make it right.
Thinking about J.T. had completely distracted her from the news Hornblower had delivered earlier that day. Thoughts of the unknown man who’d fathered her didn’t stand a chance next to seeing J.T. again. Now that she had some distance from the testosterone cloud that had fogged her brain, the questions returned in chaotic force.
Nope, still not ready to deal with that.
Nadya threw her sunglasses onto the dashboard and climbed out of the car. She’d wait until later to sort through the conflicting emotions boiling up inside her. Way later.
The smells that hit her as soon as she opened the door to the general store brought back a wealth of memories. It wasn’t a scent she could describe—it just made her happy. She and Mary Ellen had spent hours in this store, spending their hard-earned money first on penny candy, then on makeup. They’d flipped through the fashion magazines when they were supposed to be dusting the shelves and giggled when they stocked the feminine-hygiene aisle.
Mrs. Farley would let them gorge themselves on freshly made chocolate chip cookies from the cookie jar she had in the break room, and they would talk nonstop. All the memories from Dale weren’t bad. Sometimes she forgot that.
A heavily pregnant woman with a cloud of blonde hair bustled around behind the counter, stocking cigarettes in a huge display rack. Mary Ellen was just as pretty and pink as she’d been twelve years ago.
“Excuse me, but do you carry Lip Luscious Lip Gloss in Bubblegum Pink?” Nadya said as she stepped up to the counter. “I let my best friend borrow mine, and I had to leave town before I got it back.”
Mary Ellen stared at Nadya for a second then let out a squeal before she ran around the counter. “Nadya Sarov’s back at the store, as I live and breathe!” She grabbed Nadya in a hug that almost choked her. “Look at you! Don’t you look sophisticated and beautiful. And thin. You always were a skinny bitch.”
Nadya let out a peal of laughter. “You haven’t changed a bit. Well, other than the pregnancy thing. How’re you doing, Mary Ellen?”
“Oh my God. I still can’t believe it’s you right here in front of me. What are you doing in town? How long will you be here? Are you staying at Claire’s Bed and Breakfast? How’s your mama? Where are you living? What are you doing? Are you married? I haven’t seen you in forever, tell me everything.” She wiped tears away, careful not to smudge her makeup.
“I will if you give me a chance to answer.” Nadya stepped back a bit. “It’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you so much.”
She hadn’t realized exactly how much until Mary Ellen had hugged her. Sure, she’d had friends in college, and she had a wide circle of acquaintances in New York, but there was nothing like your first, best friend.
“I’ve missed you too. After you and your mama left, it was like all the fun washed right out of my life.”
“I should have been better about keeping in touch.”
“Oh, honey, I understand.” She waved her hand in front of her. “But all that’s water under the bridge. Tell me what’s going on with you now. Come on, we can sit over here so I can keep an eye on the store and we can chat at the same time. Just like in the old days.”
Mary Ellen hustled her over to a chair behind the counter and sat herself on the stool near the cash register.
“No, you should sit in the chair. How far along are you?”
“Seven hot, hellish months, but I’ve been this big forever. This is my third baby in four years, so as soon as sperm met egg I was back in maternity