Read Online First and Again by Jana Richards - Free Book Online Page A

briefly in a smile. “The coffee’s always on and it’s always lousy. Help yourself while I finish up with little Miss Kelsey here.”
    She fixed herself a cup of coffee as Celia finished cutting the child’s hair. While she waited she looked around the shop, noting the modern decor and up-to-date equipment. She was surprised by the almost spa-like feel of the place. Bridget shook her head. What had she expected, curling tongs heated over an open fire? Psychedelic ‘60s wallpaper? But still she was taken aback by a hair salon that wouldn’t be out of place in San Francisco.
    Little Kelsey’s haircut was soon finished and for being such a patient customer she was rewarded with a strawberry lollipop. Kelsey and her mother left a few moments later, the lollipop firmly planted in the child’s mouth.
    “Cute kid,” Bridget said after they’d left.
    “She’s one of the good ones,” Celia said with a smile. “At least she’ll sit still for a bribe.”
    She poured herself a cup of coffee and then sat on one of the black leatherette chairs in the waiting area, watching Bridget expectantly. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”
    She cleared her dry throat. “I want to apologize to you, for the accusations I made, for not believing you. I’m so sorry, Celia.”
    “I know you are.” She put down her cup. “I had such high hopes when you moved back. I’ve always wanted us to be friends but on your very first night in town it became painfully clear that wasn’t going to happen.”
    “I don’t make friends easily,” she said. “I never have.”
    “I know. You have a hard time trusting people. Even me.”
    Bridget wanted to deny it, but she couldn’t. It wasn’t something she liked to admit about herself.
    “You’re right. Trust isn’t something that comes easy for me.” She set down her own coffee cup, still half full. “I won’t take up any more of your time. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am. I’ll see you around.”
    “You’re welcome to stop by anytime,” Celia said. “Mom told me you’re experimenting with apple pie. Maybe you can bring some over for a taste?”
    She blinked at her in surprise. After what she’d accused Celia of, she was surprised at the olive branch her sister offered.
    “Sure, I can do that. Hopefully my next pie will be better than the first.”
    “I hope so too. See you soon.”
    “Bye. See you.”
    Tears stung her eyes as she walked back to the motel, but for the first time in days she felt hope.
    * * *
    Don Williamson picked up Bridget the next morning in his ancient half-ton truck. They drove the short distance to the nursing home where his sister-in-law Martha lived.
    As they approached the front entrance, several elderly residents taking in the early October sunshine eyed them curiously. An old man stuck out a shaking hand in front of Don, who stooped to talk to him.
    “Hello, Fred. How are you today?”
    “What’s that?”
    Don raised his voice, practically shouting in the man’s ear. “I said, how are you?”
    “I’m old, that’s how I am.” He pointed a crooked finger at Bridget. “Who’ve you got there?”
    “This is Bridget Grant, Mavis Turner’s daughter. She’s come back to live in Paradise for a while.” He gestured toward her. “Bridget, this is Fred Thorson. You remember him, don’t you? He used to run the dry goods store on Main Street.”
    She searched her memory banks and came up with a cranky old man who used to chase her and the other kids out of his store. “Nice to see you, Mr. Thorson.”
    “What brings you back to Paradise? Most young people don’t come back once they leave.”
    She opened her mouth to give a sanitized version of the truth.
    “Well, I—”
    “Her husband left her, that’s why,” an old woman in wheelchair piped up. “Took up with a younger woman. Came back here to lick her wounds.”
    Bridget stared at her. Good lord, even at the nursing home she was the subject of gossip.
    Don