Free Uninhibited in Apple Trail, Arkansas - Volume 2 by Keri Ford

reddened, but she said nothing as her insides crippled at her very public mistake.
    “You’ve been good for him this week.”
    Tiffany paused with the shovel in her hands. “Have I?”
    Mary Sue nodded. “He’s been happier. Lighter in a whistle why you work way, only he doesn’t actually whistle.”
    She continued with spreading the soil. “Sounds like I’m distracting him from his work.”
    Mary Sue shook her head. “No. I’m still processing the same amount out of him. He’s just enjoying life more now, it seems. And you’re the only difference.”
    Heat filled Tiffany’s cheeks. She didn’t realize they’d been so obvious, until that moment a few minutes ago. It wasn’t like they made out in the offices when no one was looking. They kept their distance, mostly because Tiffany was in another room handling incoming calls.
    Tiffany sat back on her heels and swallowed. “Don’t say anything to anyone, please. About us.”
    Mary Sue stared after her with her elfish features set in pure curiosity.
    “My past is no secret and I don’t want my name messing with the election. I still haven’t figured out a way for us to work with his public image hanging between us. I didn’t mean for you to see anything.”
    “Hard not to notice when each time one of you walks through the room, your eyes meet and hold.” Mary Sue shrugged. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t know your reputation.”
    “I know. I did a lot of stupid things.” She returned to scooping out holes. “I had my reasons.”
    “You also did a lot of fun things.” Mary Sue sat back on her heels. The woman dusted her gloves and reached for a bottle of water. “You were lucky, in some ways. With the things you were able to do. The adventures you were able to have. I never had those.”
    All Tiffany could do was blink and stare.
    “I can’t tell you how many times I laid in bed at night and thought, what would I be doing right now if I was Tiffany McBride? You should give yourself more credit. Some people are probably afraid and would never overlook your past, but some of us lived through you. Anyone who tells you different are too full of it to be able to admit it.”
    Tiffany looked forward. “I thought you were afraid of me.”
    “I was. You’re a terrifying person, Tiffany. You don’t take anything off anyone and you make your own way. Inspiring, but terrifying.”
    “I’m sure you did some things for fun. What about all those girl sleepovers?”
    “Puh-leese.” Mary Sue put her water down and leaned back in the flowers. “Seven or eight girls cramped in a small room painting their toenails, breathing the remover. It’s a wonder we weren’t all poisoned.”
    “There’s got to be some fun things.”
    Her cheeks colored.
    “What. Tell me. You know all my secrets. Probably some that aren’t even true.”
    Mary Sue glanced around and leaned over. “Well, I met Watkins. It wasn’t exactly mad young love for why we married so fast.” She winked and patted her belly. “Wakins Jr. came six months after we said ‘I Do’. Oh, momma and daddy were furious, but I was thrilled. He was the only one who ever got me and got what I was missing in my life. I still wonder though, what all I might have missed by being a good girl for so long.”
    Tiffany laughed. “Ya know, you’re wondering what all I’ve done in my life and how it might be fascinating. I’ve always wondered about you. How you grew up. Things you did. What your mom taught you. How you do anything. I mean look at you. We’ve been digging in the dirt this long and your clothes are mostly spotless while I’m covered.”
    Mary Sue looked down and frowned. “It’s a curse. I can’t help it. I was raised not to get dirty and I just don’t.”
    “Never?”
    “Never.”
    Too bad for Mary Sue, Tiffany had a handful of potting soil. And she smacked it right on top of Mary Sue’s head. Mary Sue screeched as black dirt rained down over her cheeks and dropped on the