Free Miss Polly had a Dolly (Emma Frost #2) by Willow Rose Page A

before the sun came up (or else she
would go to jail, Stefan had told her) she got up once again and started
running, even if her leg hurt really bad.
    Once Nina reached the valley, she felt exhausted
and was bleeding from multiple cuts she'd gotten from rocks and bushes with
many thorns. Voices speaking a strange language were coming closer now and
three flashlights were pointed at her. The men came closer and now she felt
hands on her body, picking her up. She was too tired to look but felt her body
being carried into the back of a van, then the door was closed and she could
hear the engine start in the distance.

Chapter 22
April 2013
    Jack came over
that evening. He rang the doorbell and as I opened the
door, he handed me a yellow rose.
    "It's from my own yard," he said.
    I smiled and blushed. I was wearing an old worn
out apron and had flour all over my hands and face from the pie I was baking.
Jack laughed when he saw it.
    "You're busy I take it?"
    "I was just trying out a new pie recipe for
dessert. I have been into cooking lately. It's my new hobby. Come on in, you
can stay for dinner."
    "Are you sure?" Jack said. "I
didn't mean to impose or anything. I just saw the rose in the yard earlier and
thought you should have it."
    I paused and looked at him. "That was
really sweet, Jack. Thank you. Come in. My dad is here with his girlfriend,
too. The more the merrier, right?"
    "That's what I've heard, yes," Jack
said and stepped inside. He took off his beanie and showed his thick brown
hair. I smiled and put the flower in water. I heard Jack say hello to my dad
and Helle in the living room while I put the pie in the oven and ran upstairs
to clean myself up. I put on a little make-up for once and looked at myself in
the mirror. It had been awhile since I had done something to look good and
suddenly it felt a little uncomfortable. I wiped off the lipstick to make it
more subtle. I had butterflies in my stomach and felt like a young girl all of
a sudden. Just because of Jack? Well I did like him a lot and I could tell he
was comfortable in my presence since he didn't stutter at all anymore while
talking to me. And we did have kind of a history together ever since that night
in October when he'd saved me and Victor. I couldn't believe he was actually
kind of saving me again tonight. I had been so nervous having my dad's
girlfriend over for dinner earlier but now that Jack was here it was easier.
More people to make conversation. That was good for me, because I was horrible
at small talk and polite conversation. This was a really good turn of events, I
thought to myself.
    I ran down the stairs and put the food on the
table. I had made lamb and rubbed it with plenty of garlic. With it I served
rosemary roasted potatoes, a Greek salad, and homemade tzatziki. I really hoped
they were going to like it. And I really hoped they liked garlic as there was
lots of it.
    "Dinner is on the table," I said as I
peeked in the living room where they all sat in front of the fireplace. Victor
was on my dad's lap and had put his arms around his neck. I felt a sting of
jealousy. Lately my dad was the only one who got to touch my son and the only
one he really talked to. It was always like that with Victor. He picked his
favorites and never cared about everybody else or their feelings. It was just
not in him to care.
    "Where is Maya?" my dad asked as we
sat down around the new heavy oak table in the dining room that I had recently
bought with some of all the money I made from my bestselling book. I was
surprised at how well I was doing and began thinking about writing a new one
soon. I just needed that one idea and so far all that was on my mind was my
family and cooking.
    "She is out with her friends tonight,"
I answered and smiled at Helle who took the chair next to me.
    "At this time on a school night?" my
dad asked.
    "Yes, Dad. At this time on a school night.
She and her friends are hanging out down by the Hotel Mellers, you know, the
nice one