Free A Dash of Desire (Spiced Life #2) by Charity Parkerson Page A

warmed her skin until she barely noticed the chill any longer. While the elderly lady to her left clutched her shawl tighter, Riley fanned her face with the weekly newsletter as she watched Tristan deliver his sermon to the congregation. For some reason, his hands mesmerized her until she waved the pages harder. The elderly woman shifted, drawing Riley’s eyes her way. The woman was watching her. Riley flashed her an apologetic grin. No doubt, she was kicking up a breeze that was making the other woman miserable.
    “Fanning yourself won’t don’t you a lick of good. Not with that one right there,” she said, nodding in Tristan’s direction. The motion seemed to catch Tristan’s attention. He met Riley’s gaze and winked. “Oh, girlie. You’re so fucked.”
    Riley pressed her lips together. Unfortunately, in spite of her best efforts, an unladylike snort still escaped her. She covered her mouth. The woman chuckled. Riley liked her already. Dropping to a whisper, Riley openly agreed with her assessment. “One can only hope,” she said with a smile. She held out her hand. “Riley Henderson.”
    “Ah, Marty’s daughter. I should’ve recognized you straight away.” She accepted Riley’s hand, and held on. “Berta Daniels. Tristan’s grandmother.” For a moment of absolute horror, Riley couldn’t respond. Only she could unwittingly tell a man’s grandmother she’d like to fuck him. Surely most people didn’t have such things happen to them on a daily basis. “You’re going to be so much fun,” Berta chirped, pulling Riley from her mortification. “My grandson could use a little adventure in his life.”
    Riley nodded. “Truly. I’m a ride he should experience at least once.”
    Berta chortled, but someone shushed her. The older woman’s features transformed at the sound. She turned a jaundiced eye to the offender. Riley mused over the fact that even her hat appeared to take on an air of intolerance. She almost felt sorry for the person who’d drawn Berta’s ire. That is, until Riley followed the line of her stare to find Emma May blinking innocently.
    “I do not like you,” Berta said loud enough for all to hear, causing Emma to flush. Riley scooted closer holding tighter to Berta’s hand as she turned her attention back to Tristan.
    “We’re going to be the best of friends Mrs. Daniels. I can see it already.”
    Riley’s humor lasted until the end of service. That’s when Tristan had her back to wondering if she could handle prison after all by forcing her to remain at his side as he saw everyone out. He shook hands with an elderly man. She took a step away, intent on making her escape. Tristan stepped on her foot, keeping her in place. Even though he didn’t look her way, she knew it was intentional by the shit-eating grin on his face. She could be someone’s bitch in prison. She could.
    “This is Riley Henderson. She’s Billy’s niece from California. Riley this is Edward Tarpley.”
    “California, eh?” Spit hit Riley in the chest, as the man took her hand in his. She tried not to flinch but her inner germaphobe was sobbing big fat tears.
    “Yes sir.”
    “You do have a sunny shine to you.” Riley held onto her smile by force of will alone. She really wanted to find a way to wipe away the specks of flying saliva, but the man held tight to her hand.
    She had no idea if his words were meant to be a compliment. “Thank you.”
    “Yes ma’am. Such a pretty young woman. I can see why Tristan’s taken with you.”
    God. Make it end. “Thank you.”
    Since Riley’s luck was holding true, Emma May appeared. “Technically, Riley is from Tennessee too. Her mother…” Berta dropped her Bible at Emma’s feet, cutting off her words and leaving her no choice but to pick it up or openly disrespect an elder. She bent and Berta struck. Literally. There was no way it was accident. Spinning in Riley’s direction, her oversized bag smacked Emma in the forehead, knocking her off-balance