Son of a Preacher Man

by Arianna Hart

  “Don’t you even want to know who he is? What he left you in his will?”

  “No. If that’s all, I’ll be leaving now.” Her legs were wobbly when she stood, but they held her up.

  “Now just hold on there a minute. Tell you what I’m gonna do. You’ve had a mighty big shock. Why don’t you think about things for a day or two, and if you decide you want to hear what your daddy had to say, well, I’ll be here. If you don’t have the courage to face the truth, you can just run on back to New York and I’ll lock the papers in my safe.”

  Her temper flared at the insult, but she bit her tongue before she could respond to the bait. She’d had years of practice controlling her temper; she wasn’t going to blow her top because this hillbilly called her a coward.

  “Good day, Mr. Hornblower. I’ll see myself out.” Nadya gathered her purse and fled the office with all the decorum she could considering her brain was on autopilot.

  The sun and heat assaulted her once again, but this time she barely registered the attack. All she wanted to do was get away before she did something stupid like turn around and beg the old bastard for the information. She was on the road to her former home before she realized it.

  Old habits are hard to break.

  Whenever she’d felt confused or upset, she’d always retreated to the safety of the woods and her special spot. Here she was again, heading for her sanctuary without even realizing it. The cabin was as good a place as any to regroup though, so she continued on to Deer Creek Road.

  The twists and turns were as familiar to her as an old shoe. This part of town had never had any stores or development so there was nothing to fall on hard times. The trees might be a little taller, but they were still the same. There was a sign nailed to a tree by the turn-off to her drive that stated No Trespassing—that was new, but that was about it.

  For the first time in years, a sense of peace washed over her as she carefully turned into the drive. Stones pinged off the underside of her car, but she didn’t care. The trees formed a canopy that shaded her from the intensity of the sun, so she rolled her windows down and continued to creep forward.

  There was the tree she’d sideswiped when she’d first gotten her license. She’d been so proud of the car she’d bought with her own money. The rundown station wagon had cost five hundred dollars. She’d worked nights and weekends and any time Mrs. Farley, her friend Mary Ellen’s mom, had needed her in order to earn the money. It wasn’t worth the money it took to fill the gas tank, but it had gotten them out of Dale.

  Damn, she’d been so wrapped up in the bombshell Hornblower dropped on her, she hadn’t stopped to see if Mrs. Farley’s general store was still there. She hoped it hadn’t been one of the places with For Sale or Lease signs in the window. It would be nice to see Mrs. Farley again, and maybe find out what Mary Ellen was doing. They’d lost touch after Nadya had left Georgia. She’d spent every free moment either studying to keep up her GPA so she wouldn’t lose her scholarship or working as many hours as she could just to pay living expenses. There hadn’t been time or money left over for long-distance phone calls.

  Anticipation soared as she rounded the last curve before the cabin, then plummeted when she saw a police car parked smack dab in front of the porch. A police officer leaned against the squad car, his tanned arms crossed over his chest. The brim of his “Smokey the Bear” hat shaded his face.

  Nadya parked the BMW and put on her best I-have-every-right-to-be-here expression before climbing out.

  “Good afternoon, officer. I hope you don’t mind, but I used to live here and I wanted a quick visit before I left town.”

  “You’ve only been back half an hour and you’re ready to leave already? Typical.”

  Her breath caught in her chest as she got a good look at the officer who pushed himself off the car and confronted her. His green eyes squinted down at her seconds before his dimples flashed.

  “Welcome home, Nadya.”

  It was all J.T. could do to keep his cop face on and not burst out laughing at Nadya. Her mouth actually hung open. ‘Course, he’d probably resembled a landed fish when he ran the out-of-state license plates and her name had popped up. Never in a million years would he have expected to see Nadya Sarov back in Dale, forget driving a fancy car with New York plates.

  Hot damn, but she grew up gorgeous. She’d been a looker at eighteen, but at thirty she was a stunner. Liquid-chocolate eyes stared up at him in stunned amazement. A mouth made for sin with full, red lips formed a shocked O. And her body was just as lush and fantasy inducing as it had been when he was a teenager. He could still see the full curve of her breasts and the tiny narrowness of her waist hidden beneath her black jacket.

  “J.T. McBride?”

  “That’s Officer McBride, ma’am.” He tipped his cap, enjoying the way her eyes looked up and down, focusing on the badge and name tag.

  “If that’s not a kick in the teeth, I don’t know what is,” she said. A smile crossed her face. “What the hell are you doing back in Dale? I’d have thought this would be the last place you’d end up.”

  Her eyes sparkled as she grinned up at him, and he felt like he’d been punched in the gut. Those damn gypsy eyes had haunted him for twelve fucking years. The memories of their time by the creek had gotten him through hell and back in Fallujah.

  After he’d gotten out of the Marines, he’d been at loose ends. His father had continued to preach but was living in Texas and didn’t have room for him in his tiny apartment. Thoughts of the creek—and Nadya—had continued to haunt him, so he’d returned to Dale to put them to rest.

  Somehow, he’d ended up joining the police force and staying for the past five years.

  “I felt the need to come back and defend my daddy’s honor.” It was as good an answer as any.

  “Bet that wasn’t easy. At best, he’d been accused of falling for the charms of the gypsy whore. At worst, he was a fornicator. I heard you had it rough before you left.”

  He shrugged it off. He’d been in more fights defending Nadya’s honor from Pansy’s lurid accusations than from his father’s refusal to back down to Orleane Campbell’s blackmail. “Some people think the worst of others to make themselves feel better. I just showed them the errors of their ways.”

  “Still, that last month must’ve sucked.”

  “It wasn’t how I’d planned on spending my days before Basic, that’s for sure.”

  Nadya shot him a sly glance, her slanted eyes full of secrets. “So what are you doing way out here?”

  Waiting for you. He’d known she wouldn’t be able to resist stopping by the cabin at least once. “I stopped to grab some lunch before I go back on duty.”

  “Beg your pardon?”

  “I rented the cabin when I moved back here.”

  “Why?”

  “The only other places for rent are in town. That’s a little too confining for me. This place is off the beaten track, and I can hear someone coming a good five minutes before they make it up the drive. I don’t like everyone knowing my business. And when I’m off duty, I don’t particularly want visitors.”

  “Then this is the perfect place. Who do you rent it from? I never did know who our landlord was.” Her face went blank, as if the information wasn’t of any importance. The very lack of an expression clued him in that this was more than an idle question.

  “A rental agency in Canton.”

  “Oh. Guess you don’t know who your landlord is either then.”

  “Nope. I just know when I have a problem, I call the agency and they send someone out to fix whatever it is that needs fixing. I pay my rent on time and no one bothers me. That’s the way I like it.”

  “Good.” She seemed to collect herself. “I’m glad you’re living in the old place. I have a lot of good memories in that cabin.”

  “And one really crappy one.” He was so glad she never saw the cabin with the windows smashed and graffiti across the porch.

  “It’s been twelve years. I�
�ve put it behind me. The only thing I regret is that I lost touch with Mary Ellen Farley. She and her family were very good to Mama and me. Mary Ellen was my only friend growing up, and I didn’t even get to tell her goodbye.”

  “That’s easy enough to fix. She’s probably at the store right now.”

  “Really?” Her face brightened. “I was so distracted when I left the lawyer’s office, I didn’t even look. I was hoping the store hadn’t gone out of business.”

  “Nope, it’s still there. They expanded it so it has a bakery and deli as well as selling everything from penny candy to motor oil.” Now why would she need to see a lawyer in Dale?

  “I’ll have to stop in on my way back to Canton then.”

  “You’re staying in the area? For how long?” And can I see you again while you’re here?

  “I don’t know. It’s complicated.”

  “Always is when you bring lawyers into the mix.”

  “Hey, I’m a lawyer.”

  “No foolin’? So that’s why the fancy clothes and car. I figured you’d make something of yourself. You always were smart.” He could see her wrapping a jury around her finger with one flicker of those beguiling eyes.

  “I’m glad someone thought so. You were in the minority, that’s for sure.” Her face darkened for a moment, but then she gave him a practiced smile. “Well, it’s been great seeing you again, but I shouldn’t take up any more of your valuable time, Officer. I still can’t believe it. J.T. McBride, the boy who had a dedicated seat in detention, is now charged with upholding the law.”

  “People change. It was good running into you. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

  “Maybe.”

  He let her get the last word in this time. Because he knew damn well he’d see her again.

  Chapter Three

  The squad car followed her all the way back into town. When she pulled into a parking spot in front of the store, J.T. flashed his lights so she waved. Her pulse was still a little erratic after seeing him at her cabin.

  Holy crap, had that been a shock. He still looked good—even better than he had at eighteen. Now he seemed…honed. The muscles in his arms bulged, and he must have grown some because he definitely loomed over her, even in her heels.

  Those 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 clothes.”

  “You have two children? Boys? Girls?”

  “Two boys. Billy is four and just as quiet as his father. Hunter is two and full of the devil. If God loves me, this one here will be a girl.”

  “You don’t know yet?”

  “No, the little stinker had its legs crossed during the ultrasound, and they won’t do another one just to discover the sex. Poop.”

  “I never even asked—who’s your husband?”

  Mary Ellen let out a bray of laughter. “You’ll never believe it, but I went and fell in love with Billy Michaels.”

  “Get out of town!” Billy Michaels had been J.T.’s best friend and willing accomplice in most of his misdeeds. He’d been a rail-thin towhead who rarely put two words together. Nadya couldn’t wrap her brain around the picture of skinny, quiet Billy Michaels with vivacious, plump Mary Ellen. “I can’t believe your daddy let you date him.”

  “He didn’t at first, but he came around eventually. After you and J.T. left, there wasn’t much for either Billy or I to do. He started hanging out at the store all the time. Everywhere I looked, there he’d be, all scarecrow scrawny and silent. Finally, I just snapped and asked him what in the hell he was doing here all the time.”

  “And what did he say?”

  “He said he was watching the prettiest girl in town and trying to work up the courage to ask her if she wanted to go to the church social with him.”

  “Wow, I didn’t know he had it in him.”

  “You’d be surprised what that boy was hiding. Which explains why I’m pregnant aga
in.”

  The mental image just didn’t bear examination. “I noticed J.T. is back as well. That must have stirred up a bees’ nest.”

  “Boy howdy, did it ever. All the old gossips ’bout killed themselves trying to outdo one another rehashing the old story.” A frown crossed her face but she plowed on. “It still burns me up when I hear Orleane and Pansy Campbell spouting their lies.”

  “Well, my mom was sleeping with the good pastor. I caught them right before Orleane came up the drive.”

  “You did? Really? Never mind. The fact is, neither one of them were married to other people. They were adults, and it wasn’t like he was doing her on the pulpit, for heaven’s sake. If this town got all fired up every time someone got caught having premarital sex, things would never settle down. What the hell else is there to do around here?”

  “But she was a gypsy, which means she was trash. You know how they all thought of me and my mama.”

  “Only the ignorant, jealous ones. They just wished they looked like her. How’s your mama doing, anyway?”

  A familiar pang of grief struck Nadya in the heart. “She’s passed on. Cancer. That’s why I’m back in town, tying up some loose ends.” She didn’t need to explain which loose ends.

  Tears welled up in Mary Ellen’s baby-blue eyes. She clutched Nadya’s hand. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I just loved your mama. I was always jealous of you. She was so exotic and young and pretty and didn’t make you go to church every Sunday.”

  “And I was jealous of your mom. She baked cookies and volunteered in the school and took you shopping in Atlanta every Christmas and Easter. How is she? And your daddy?”

  “They’re both fine. Daddy retired from the Forestry Service a few years ago when they were having cutbacks. He and Mama sold the house and the business to Bill and me and moved to a retirement community in Canton. We still see them every Sunday. Oh! Are you going to be here through the weekend? Mama would love to see you. You know how much she thought of you. She always said you were smart as a whip and the hardest worker she’d ever had.”