Stanislaski 1 - Taming Natasha by Nora Roberts

Author:Nora Roberts
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-03-22T20:27:55+00:00

Chapter Seven

The black cat screeched a warning. A rushing gust of wind blew open the door with an echoing slam and maniacal laughter rolled in.

What sounded like ooze dripped down the walls, plunking dully onto the bare concrete floor as the prisoners rattled their chains. There was a piercing scream followed by a long, desperate moan.

"Great tunes," Annie commented and popped a gum ball into her mouth.

"I should have ordered more of those records." Natasha took an orange fright wig and turned a harmless stuffed bear into a Halloween ghoul. "That's the last one."

"After tonight you'll have to start thinking Christmas, anyway." Annie pushed back her pointed black hat, then grinned, showing blackened teeth. "Here come the Freedmont boys." She rubbed her hands together and tried out a cackle. "If this costume's worth anything, I should be able to turn them into frogs."

She didn't quite manage that, but sold them fake blood and latex scars.

"I wonder what those little dears have in store for the neighborhood tonight," Natasha mused.

"Nothing good." Annie ducked under a hanging bat. "Shouldn't you get going?"

"Yes, in a minute." Stalling, Natasha fiddled with her dwindling supply of masks and fake noses. "The pig snouts sold better than I'd imagined. I didn't realize so many people would want to dress up as livestock." She picked one up to hold it over her nose. "Maybe we should keep them out year round."

Recognizing her friend's tactics, Annie ran her tongue over her teeth to keep from grinning. "It was awfully nice of you to volunteer to help decorate for Freddie's party tonight."

"It's a little thing," Natasha said and hated herself for being nervous. She replaced the snout, then ran her finger over a wrinkled elephant trunk attached to oversize glasses. "Since I suggested the idea of her having a Halloween party to make up for her missed birthday, I thought I should help."

"Uh-huh. I wonder if her daddy's going to come as Prince Charming."

"He is not Prince Charming."

"The Big Bad Wolf?" On a laugh, Annie held up her hands in a gesture of peace. "Sorry. It's just such a kick to see you unnerved."

"I'm not unnerved." That was a big lie, Natasha admitted while she packed up some of her contributions to the party. "You know, you're welcome to come."

"And I appreciate it. I'd rather stay home and guard my house from preadolescent felons. And don't worry," she added before Natasha could speak again. "I'll lock up."

"All right. Maybe I'll just—" Natasha broke off as the door jingled open. Another customer, she thought, would give her a little more time.

When she spotted Terry, there was no way of saying who was more surprised. "Hello."

He swallowed over the huge lump in his throat and tried to look beyond her costume. "Tash?"

"Yes." Hoping he'd forgiven her by now, she smiled and held out a hand. He'd changed his seat in class, and every time she had tried to approach him, he'd darted off. Now he stood trapped, embarrassed and uncertain. He touched her outstretched hand, then stuck his own into his pocket.

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