First and Again

Read First and Again for Free Online

Book: Read First and Again for Free Online
Authors: Jana Richards
Celia’s arm, pulling her toward the empty restaurant.
    “Can’t you keep your mouth shut about anything?” she said under her breath as she dragged her out of the bar. Celia wrenched her arm free.
    “What the hell are you talking about?”
    She closed the door to the restaurant. “I’m talking about telling Tina Wilson all the gory details about my divorce.”
    “All I told Tina was that you and Ben had divorced and that you were coming to live here for awhile.”
    “Then how did she know about Ben’s affair with a younger woman? I sure as hell didn’t tell her, and I didn’t tell anyone else except you and Mom.”
    “I told you, I didn’t tell her.”
    “I don’t believe you.”
    Celia’s eyes went wide with shock but she didn’t reply. Silence stretched between them. Finally she spoke, her voice tired and her eyes filled with resignation.
    “You can believe what you want. Nothing I say will change your mind if you’re determined to think the worst of me.”
    She started for the door and then stopped, one hand resting on the knob. “I’d hoped that when you moved back it would be a new start for us. I thought maybe for the first time we could be like real sisters to each other, sisters who can tell each other anything, who stick together no matter what. I can’t tell you how much I’ve wanted that, but I guess it’s not meant to be.”
    She opened the door and left, shutting it softly behind her. Bridget stared at the door, the sound of its closing echoing in her ears. A sudden sadness pressed heavily on her heart. Though she stubbornly told herself she was in the right, a part of her wondered what the cost of being right might be.
    * * *
    Bridget worked hard the rest of the evening, taking orders, mixing drinks, cleaning tables. When there was a lull in the action around eight o’clock, she washed the shelves beneath the bar and polished already clean glasses. If she kept busy enough she didn’t have to think about Rebecca or Celia or the complicated mess her life had become. Her plan was only marginally successful. No matter how much she tried to distract herself, she couldn’t stop worrying about her daughter or obsessing over her fight with her sister.
    By the time Gavin and Jack arrived at the bar just before nine, she was exhausted. Dredging up a smile, Bridget took their order.
    “Has Celia been here tonight?” Gavin asked.
    She averted her gaze. “She was in earlier, but she left a couple of hours ago.”
    “Did she say where she was going?”
    “No, she didn’t say.”
    Her sister had appeared genuinely hurt by her accusations. She could almost believe Celia was completely innocent.
    But that still didn’t explain how Tina knew so much.
    Bridget nodded politely at Jack. They’d seen each other a couple of times since the day she’d had her little meltdown, though neither of them spoke of it. For that she was profoundly grateful. She didn’t need to be reminded of her embarrassing stroll down Bad Memories Lane, or the dismissive way she’d treated him.
    When she came back with their drinks, Jack was at the pool table, playing against one of their regular customers. For a moment she watched him, enjoying his graceful movements as he bent over the table to make a shot.
    And the view of his delectable, tight butt was pretty awe-inspiring as well.
    She quickly turned away, chastising herself for noticing the way the denim of his faded jeans hugged his slim hips, his powerful thighs...
    Good lord, what was the matter with her? Jack’s physique was the last thing she should be thinking about.
    She slid into his empty chair, taking the opportunity to talk to Gavin alone. “I wonder if you could give me some information.”
    “Ask away. If it’s about Paradise I know everyone in the area.”
    “That’s what I’m counting on. Do you know someone who has horses?”
    He grinned. “I didn’t know you were interested in horses. I always thought you were too much of a city

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