Nadia Knows Best Read Free Page B

village life for you, Nadia thought gratefully. Everyone pulled together, helping each other out. There were so many kind people around, unsung heroes, prepared to do favors out of the sheer goodness of their hearts.
    â€œOh, I do,” she said with joyful relief. “Mine’s the black Renault, this is so ki —”
    â€œNo problem, love. Any time. That’ll be fifty quid.”
    For heaven’s sake, talk about highway robbery. Country people weren’t lovely at all.
    â€œJust don’t say cash,” Nadia warned the greedy selfish mercenary farmer. “Don’t ask for cash up front, because I haven’t any left.” Shooting a meaningful look in Pete the landlord’s direction, she added, “I can do a check.”
    â€œGot a guarantee card?” The farmer was nothing if not blunt.
    Nadia, who could be blunt too, said, “Who shall I make the check out to, Dick Turpin?”
    â€œHave you out of there in a jiffy, love.” The farmer winked at her, unabashed. Business was business. Sudden blizzards might cause misery and hardship for many people, but they were always a nice little earner for him.
    ***
    By the time the Renault had been hauled out of the ditch, dented but otherwise unharmed, Jay had arrived at the scene on his way back to his own car.
    â€œDrive carefully now,” he told Nadia as she revved the engine.
    â€œWe’re only three miles from the motorway. I’ll be home in an hour.”
    â€œIt’s been nice meeting you.” Jay’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he looked down at her. “Could have been nicer still, but never mind. We had fun.”
    Nadia nodded. In the cold light of day, fun was infinitely preferable to sex. If she’d given in to temptation last night, she’d be feeling twisted with guilt by now. God, she’d be a disaster on a clubbing holiday in Ibiza.
    â€œThanks for everything. Bye.”
    The churned-up snow creaked beneath her tires as she turned the car in the direction of home.
    â€œThat boyfriend of yours is a lucky bloke.” Jay rested his hand briefly on the roof of the car. “Tell him I said so.”
    For a moment Nadia wondered if he was about to bend down and give her a goodbye kiss on the cheek; he looked as if he might. She waited, giving him every opportunity to do it, and realized she was holding her breath. Just a sociable peck, not full-frontal snogging, a sociable peck on the cheek was absolutely fine…
    Well, it would have been, if it had happened.
    â€œDo the window up,” said Jay. “Keep warm. And don’t skid into any more ditches.”
    â€œYes, boss. You too.” As she buzzed the window shut, Nadia saluted then grinned and waggled her fingers at him. “See you around.”
    Why did people always say that to each other, when they both knew they wouldn’t?

Chapter 3
    The flight from Barcelona to Bristol Airport had landed fifteen minutes ago and Nadia was hopping impatiently from one foot to the other at the arrivals gate. Any second now, the first passengers would begin to emerge through the sliding smoked-glass doors. There were butterflies in her stomach—huge, excitable tropical butterflies rather than the sedate English kind—and her knuckles were white as she gripped the chrome rail. Adrenaline was sloshing through her body like free beer at a student party. Were there paramedics around? Did lots of people waiting to greet returning loved ones feel like this? Did many of them keel over with heart attacks and—ooh, door !
    Nadia gazed, transfixed, as an ultra-smart businesswoman tip-tapped out on ultra-high heels, followed by a gaggle of tourists, then some studenty types, several businessmen, and a frazzled-looking girl in her twenties with a screaming baby and a toddler in tow.
    At the sound of a shout behind her, the girl turned and let out an exclamation of relief as Laurie raced through the doors clasping a