by Mary Leo
Artie had followed him out of the store. “Good to have you back, Winchester,” he bellowed as JT walked away. His voice carried clearly on the crisp, chilly air.
JT turned and shook his head with a laugh. She felt the impact of his grin all the way across the street, through the window and over the counter where she stood gaping.
“I’m not back,” he responded, in an equally booming voice.
Yep, got it, JT. Loud and clear.
He glanced up as he stepped off the curb and his gaze snagged on Lane’s big front window. For a moment, he paused, staring in. As if he could see through the shadows, see her standing behind the counter, staring out. Deep in her chest, her heart stuttered.
“Do you think he spotted us?” Chris whispered, frowning at the gray sky outside, no doubt wondering if it made the window more or less reflective.
Madison could have told him it was a mute point. He saw her. She could feel him seeing her. The bastard.
Finally, JT got in his fancy vehicle and started the engine. The windows were tinted and she couldn’t see inside, but she suspected he was still watching her. She couldn’t look away, no matter how loud the voice in her head insisted she should. A moment later, he pulled from the curb.
“He can’t sell the cabin,” Madison said as the car disappeared around the corner.
Chris lifted a shoulder, like there’d been a question in her statement. “He can if his brothers agree with it. So . . . are you going to talk to him this time?”
“JT and I have nothing to say to each other,” Madison said with a sniff.
From the table up front, Mrs. Shelton laughed. “Now that’s a crock of shit.”
Shaking her head, she gathered up her paper, her coffee cup and the last of her pastry before heading out the door. Moof dutifully hurried over to the table and sniffed the floor for any offending crumbs that might have been left behind.
The last time Madison had had anything close to a conversation with JT, she’d been seventeen and standing in his snowy front yard dressed in her Uggs and a bright purple parka that made her look like a hot air balloon—only worn when the temperatures dipped below zero for that exact reason. Even vanity withered in those temperatures.
Madison had crushed on JT in the worst kind of way. An epically worst kind of way.
To this day, the smell of chocolate donuts was enough to make her sick.
Not that she hadn’t gotten over what had happened that morning all those years ago. She’d moved on, met other boys, other men. She’d never forgotten him, though, no matter how hard she tried.
“I doubt our paths will even cross while he’s here,” she said to Chris.
Chris’s brows shot up and he snorted. “Baloney. You’ll see him tomorrow at the ice rink ceremony.”
“Seeing and speaking aren’t the same thing. And even if we do happen to run into each other, so what? I’m twenty-seven years old, Christy. I can talk to JT Winchester without having a meltdown. No big deal.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, sugar.”
Well, thoughts of talking to JT certainly wouldn’t do that.
“High school is over,” she said firmly.
“High school is never over,” Chris said with a laugh. “You, of all people, should know that.”
Purchase A LITTLE BIT OF SUGAR
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Mary Leo writes contemporary romance, whimsical romance, romantic suspense, and mystery. She loves to travel for research while she’s writing a book, or for that matter, even when she’s not writing a book . . . which always leads to yet another book.
Mary grew up on the Southside of Chicago in the tangle of a big Italian family where she learned the art of storytelling from her creative mamma who would craft a wondrous tale each night at bedtime, and where Mary developed an appreciation for fine Italian cuisine from her colorful aunts and uncles.
Go to www.maryleo.com for more information or follow Mary on Facebook www.facebook.com/maryleoauthur and/or Twitter @maryleoauthor.
Sign up for Mary’s newsletter HERE.
Holiday Trios
SNOWED IN AND SNUGGLED UP HOLIDAY COLLECTION
When Holiday Magic Happens, Three Brothers Realize They Have A Lot To Be Thankful For.
AND EVERYTHING NICE by Mary Leo
Snowed In and Snuggled Up Holiday Collection, Book Three
All Hamilton Winchester ever wanted was Gaby Venti, but Gaby Venti never wanted to be tied down to any man . . . especially a man from Plymouth Rock, Colorado, the hometown she left behind. But when she finds herself snowed in by a force of nature, she quickly learns that Hamilton Winchester isn’t just ‘any man,’ and Plymouth Rock means more to her than simply the ‘town she left behind.’
Book One: A Little Bit of Sugar by Erin Quinn
Book Two: A Dash of Spice by Calista Fox
Book Three: And Everything Nice by Mary Leo
THE SECRET SANTAS HOLIDAY COLLECTION
'Tis the season for heroes and love stories that will make you believe...
ROMANCING RUDY RAINDEAR by Mary Leo
Secret Santa Holiday Collection, Book Three
Rudy Raindear no longer believes in Christmas and has gotten on Santa’s Naughty List. Rudy’s bright red nose proves it . . . that is until Jenny Bells takes on the challenge of showing him just what ‘being good’ is all about.
Book One: Kissing Kris Kringle by Erin Quinn
Book Two: Naughty St. Nick by Calisa Fox
Book Three: Romancing Rudy Raindear by Mary Leo.
LOVE WITH A TWIST ~ VALENTINE ROMANCE COLLECTION
When fate and love work together for three women and their happily ever after...
STIRRING IT UP by Mary Leo
Love With a Twist Valentine’s Collection, Book Three
When a gypsy’s prediction begins to come true, Rose Cupido dismisses it as a coincidence, but when a past estranged boyfriend shows up reminding her of the love she once felt for him, Rose can’t help wondering if that gypsy had true magical powers after all.
Book One: Dirtying It Up by Calista Fox
Book Two: Shaking It Up by Erin Quinn
Book Three: Stirring It Up by Mary Leo
Other Books by Mary Leo
A CHRISTMAS WEDDING FOR THE COWBOY
CHRISTMAS WITH THE RANCHER
HER FAVORITE COWBOY
AIMING FOR THE COWBOY
FALLING FOR THE COWBOY
TRUSTING EVIL
THE SPIA FAMILY PRESSES ON
THE TROUBLE WITH BODIES
A PINCH OF COOL
IT’S IN HIS KISS
FOR BETTER OR CURSED
WRITE IT UP
STICK SHIFT
CABIN FEVER
EVERYTHING HE NEVER WANTED
