Free The Ugly Truth by Cheryel Hutton Page A

want to be pretty. I want to be an astronaut.”
    I bit back my smile. I doubted she would understand it was because I understood her. “You can be both.”
    She blinked. “Mommy says I can’t.”
    A flash of anger all but cooked my stomach. “Did she say why?”
    “She said pretty girls should use what they have and not try to be smart too.”
    “You should meet my friend Madison, she’s beautiful, and an award-winning journalist.”
    “Really?”
    I made an X on my chest. “Cross my heart.”
    She leaned her head to one side again, as if contemplating my words. “You’re pretty. And you’re a picture taker.”
    I gotta admit a tear or two burned in my eyes. “Thank you.”
    “What are you doing with my kid?”
    Uh oh, the jig was up. I stood and stared right into Butch’s washed out, not-too-bright, anger-filled eyes. “I was talking to Lexie about being an astronaut.”
    He made a scoffing snort sound. “Girls can’t be astronauts.”
    “Tell that to Sally Ride,” I said.
    I saw his frown of confusion as I walked away. Stupid idiot. I hoped with all my heart Lexie managed to ignore the backward thinking of her parents and live the life she was meant to live.
    Twenty minutes later, everything was pretty much over. Contestants and their families were leaving and some of the staff began to take down the decorations and such. I clicked a few quick shots as I wondered where Madison was. I knew she’d be wired for hours, but I was ready to go sit on the back porch, sip tea, and look for furry critters.
    Remembering what I’d seen sent a wave of the jitters through me, but I was curious as hell anyway. Especially after the way Henry had reacted. What in the world was going on in this strange little town?
    “I would have never pictured you at a kid’s beauty pageant.”
    I spun, caught my foot on a thick black electrical cord, and almost fell on my butt. Jake’s rock-hard arms caught me, and I stared up into his handsome face. I probably looked like an idiot, but I didn’t so much care at the moment.
    “Are you all right?”
    I shook off the lingering stupidity and managed a smile. “I’m fine, thanks for catching me.”
    He grinned, and I all but swooned. “My pleasure.”
    We stood centimeters apart, our bodies aligned, our gazes locked. My heart beat faster, my breath came more quickly. I wanted to grab him and pull him closer. I wanted him to kiss me until I melted in his arms.
    He leaned closer and hope rose like a balloon in a bright, sunny sky. Meanwhile, my conscience prodded me with a sharp stick. My very best friend had a problem with this guy. I had absolutely no business having the hots for him.
    His lips touched mine, and I decided Maddie could fend for herself.
    He pulled away and took a step back. “I’m sorry, Stephie.”
    I wanted to say something smart and pithy and funny. But all I could think of was play it again, Jake . I’m such an idiot.
    A beautiful redheaded woman sidled up to Jake and I had an insane moment of jealousy. “You about ready to get out of here?” she asked.
    “Stephie, this is my sister, Valerie. Val, this is Maddie’s friend from D.C.”
    “Nice to meet you.”
    I shook her hand. Sister. I will not admit to a wave of relief. Nope.
    “Valerie’s daughter was in the pageant.” He pointed to a cute redhead talking with another of the contestants.
    “She’s adorable,” I said, because she was.
    “Thank you,” Valerie said, her face beaming with motherly pride. “I think she might have won if I’d been willing to put makeup on her and spend five hundred dollars on a dress and take her to classes and stuff like the other mothers. But good grief, she’s six! I wanted to do my bit to support the town, and to give Sienna the experience of a pageant, but I refuse to be a stage mother.”
    I liked this woman better all the time. Why was it I should be running in the other direction?
    “Stephie.”
    And then I remembered.
    I turned. “Maddie. Do you