Read I Want Candy for Free Online Page A

like one of my own. And he’s grown up to be a fine, fine man, of course.”
    Candy waited until it was obvious Viv wasn’t going to embellish that thought. “I’m going to bed.”
    Viv shrugged. “All I’m sayin’ is you should think long and hard before you get yourself mixed up in that kind of arrangement. Just ask Rosemary. She’ll be the first to tell you. It was no picnic for them in this town, being married to someone outside their own race.”
    “Married?” Candy nearly choked out the word. “Are you talking about me and Turner Halliday being married ? Are you out of your mind, Viv? I’ve been back in Bigler five minutes! I haven’t seen Turner in more than five years! This is complete lunacy!”
    Viv gave a quick wave of her hand, swatting away Candy’s reaction. “Now calm down. I noticed the way you two looked at each other this evening, and anybody can see what’s coming down the pike if you’re not careful. Turner’s always wanted it, honey. I figured I should give you my two cents’ worth.”
    Candy had to laugh. “Oh, Lord,” she said, sighing. “Look, Vivienne, as much as I appreciate you letting me stay here temporarily, I do not want your two cents. I don’t need advice about my love life. I’m a thirty-year-old woman and I’ve had my share of men in my life and I can make my own decisions. But, for your own peace of mind, I can assure you there’s nothing going on between Turner and me. We’re friends. That’s all.”
    “Well, then.” Viv sucked in her bottom lip in offense. “I meant no harm.”
    “Good night,” she said yet again, continuing up the stairs.
    “So you’ll be free to keep Tater Wayne company while you’re in town, then? He said he’d fix your car.”
    And that was how Candy came to be walking across the parking lot of the Cherokee Pines Assisted Living complex, the noonday sun beating down on her head, everything she owned cooking in the back of a 1997 Chevy Caprice.
    She just needed a freakin’ break. She needed a job. A place to crash where she could be left alone. Enough money in her pocket that she could think straight and figure out where she was headed and what she was going to do next. One thing was certain, she wouldn’t be staying in Bigler one more day than was absolutely necessary. In fact, if it weren’t for Cheri being here, she never would have considered returning to this town in the first place.
    Candy smoothed out her skirt and raised her chin as she approached the entrance. She could do this. She could deal with Jacinta. All it would require was a bit of friendly chitchat. A dash of forgiveness. Some pathetic begging thrown in for good measure.
    As the automatic glass doors opened, a delicate bing announced her arrival. A pimply-faced guy no more than twenty looked up from the raised front desk. Candy didn’t miss the flash of surprise in his eyes when he saw her.
    “Uh, may I help you?”
    Candy smiled pleasantly and approached the reception area. “Hello. Yes. My name is Candace Carmichael and I am here to visit my mother, Jacinta Carmichael. She’s a resident here.”
    The boy peeled his stare from her cleavage and looked up at her face, his pale blue eyes narrowed with mistrust. Candy knew he reminded her of someone, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. He quickly tapped at the computer keyboard and said, “She isn’t expecting any visitors today. You’re not on the list.”
    “Yes. Well, she didn’t know I was coming.” Candy leaned in and whispered, hoping she could get this weasel boy on her side. She gave him a big smile. “It’s kind of a surprise. She doesn’t even know I’m in town.”
    “Hmmph.”
    “And what is your name? Are you the manager here?”
    He straightened. “I’m Gerrall Spivey. And I’m the night-shift front desk manager. I don’t usually work days.”
    “Gerald, you said?”
    “No.” His mouth formed a thin line of irritation. “Gerr- all . No d .”
    “Oh!” I’m failing