Super Nova 2: Evil Temptations

By Kathy Kite

Maddie May Martin was her mother's golden child. She was adored by most everyone that knew her. She always did as she was asked, and always without question.

Growing up, she carefully spun a cocoon around herself in preparation for a beautiful butterfly to be born into adulthood. Life, however, had a different plan; in fact, when her cocoon broke open, it wasn't Maddie May the beautiful butterfly. It was Tashia the poisonous viper that emerged.

She had been through so much and spent too many years investing in Jon Nova she wasn't about to let anyone take what belonged to her. No matter what she had to do...or who she had to do it to!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781684986156

Book preview

Chapter 1

THE NIGHT AIR WAS cool. A slight breeze brushed against each guest, who looked as though they had just stepped off the red carpet into an after-party. Champagne flowed; music echoed across the cavern. Candles set the mood of this most romantic evening. When the song ended, Jon approached Abby. My beautiful bride, what do you say we bid our guests adieu?

She looked at him with a confused smile, and Abby asked, Leave, Adam? But why would we leave our own party?

Jon laughed a hearty laugh and kissed her forehead and said softly, My love, that is what couples do after the wedding ceremony. He leaned into his new wife’s ear and whispered, This is what comes after: the happily ever after in all your books, sweetheart.

Embarrassed, Abby giggled and said, Oh! Okay then. She turned to find her Aunt Josie; however, it was Betsy that grabbed her first, and Abby said, How can I ever thank you for everything, Betsy?

Betsy teared up when she put her arms around Abby. Go on now, get gone before you make me cry! she spoke as she patted her back.

Billy put his hand on Betsy’s shoulder and spoke, Oh! Stop all that crybaby crap and move. Let me give my new boss a hug. Billy chimed in, grabbing Abby.

New boss? Abby asked confused.

Billy enthusiastically said, Yeah, Nova hired me to be your personal security. Isn’t that cool, Abs? Now we’ll be together every day! Abby found herself extremely happy, yet a little annoyed that Jon hadn’t spoken to her first about this decision. Still, now she and Billy were together. She just knew this was the answer to her prayers. He would absolutely love it here just like she did. A new start is just what Billy needed. Billy is just what Abby needed.

Jon took her hand and then slid his arm around her waist. They turned to give a final wave when, out of nowhere, Lucy yelled, Wait! running full force; she tripped and knocked Abby down, Lucy on top of her.

Argh! Abby grunted.

Lucy, in a panic, yelled out, Oh my god, Abby! Are you okay! I’m so sorry! Lucy almost cried, climbing off Abby. Abby just lay on the ground a moment then started laughing. She laughed so uncontrollably that she became weak. Jon and Billy were struggling to pull her to her feet. The entire crowd started to laugh.

Once on her feet, Abby reached for Lucy. Oh, Lucy! Abby said while laughing and wrapping her arms around her friend. What’s a wedding about if not for the memories!

Abby, looking around but not seeing her Aunt Josie, then turned and wrapped her arms back around Jon. Husband, I am ready! And he kissed her.

When they reached the limo that awaited them, Abby took one last look behind her and smiled at Betsy and Billy. She took one last glance around, trying to see her Aunt Josie. She seemed to be nowhere around.

The couple climbed into the limo, and Abby turned to wave out the back window. Her eyes locked with Billy’s as they had so many times through the years. Billy raised his hand with a smile, yet in his mind, all he could hear were their vow as children, Pinkie swear, Abs! Friends forever!

Pinkie swear, Billy!

Abby turned and took a seat next to her new husband. What a perfect day this had been. All her dreams had finally come true. Nothing could ever hurt her again. Or could it?

Chapter 2

TASHIA FINALLY BOARDED A plane at LAX after being escorted from the hotel and turned away once from the airport because Jon had frozen her credit card. Thank God Leo had come to her rescue and lent her his credit card to get home.

Tashia knew Jon didn’t love Abby. It was all just another publicity stunt, like so many times before. He would not actually marry her. Even if he did, Tashia knew it would not last. All she could do was set her mind on how she would get Jon Nova back.

When the plane taxied and took flight, Tashia was already plotting and scheming against them both. To herself, she whispered, He might marry her, but he needs me. He’ll be calling. I made sure of that! She smiled to herself while gazing out the window at the beautiful blue ocean below. With a convinced voice, she said, I’ll be back, LA! I’ll be back! She closed the shutter and laid her head back, closing her eyes. Tashia dozed into a nightmare of a dream.

* * * * *

The morning had started like every morning for eighteen-year-old Maddie May Martin. She thought about her boyfriend, Seth Wallace. His sandy hair and crystal eyes always melted her heart. His athletic build made him seem intimidating, but she knew he was just a big ole teddy bear with his freckles and sandy goatee. She hated to disappoint him again; she really wanted to go to the engagement party with Seth, but as usual, she was scheduled to work.

Maddie got out of bed and dressed, careful not to wake her sister that slept in the bed next to hers. She headed to the kitchen where she found her mother and stepfather already having breakfast. Morning, Momma! Morning, Buck! she spoke while pouring herself a cup of coffee.

Morning, Maddie! spoke her mom, Hester, a small-framed yet hardy woman. Her once raven hair now held years of trials and tribulation in the silver streaks. Her eyes always seemed dark and puffy, as if she were always tired. Her stepfather, Buck, was a large man of few words; his big hands adorn the scars of hard work, while his thinning gray hair seemed almost like a king’s crown around his head.

As Maddie took a seat, he simply nodded his head and continued to eat. Hester added a teaspoon of sugar to her coffee as she asked, You work today, hon?

Maddie sighed with her answer. Yes, later on this evening, but I was needing to run to town first. She looked at Buck. If that is okay with you, Buck? He just nodded.

Her mother spoke up, Well, while you’re in town, you can pick up these items for me. You’ll need to get a move on though because I’ll be needing the yeast to set bread for dinner. She slides a piece of paper toward her daughter.

Sure, Momma! I won’t be gone long. You know, she added, I asked Jen to give me tonight off so I could go to the engagement party for Steve and Sally, but of course, I got scheduled. She shook her head, then continued, Oh well, at least I’ll be off Saturday for the wedding. Seth and I are so excited to attend. She spoke as she sipped her coffee and picked up a slice of buttered toast.

Maddie finished her toast just as her sister Margie walked into the room. Margie was a plump sixteen-year-old with strawberry hair and the attitude to match. What a beautiful day! I am so excited about Steve and Sally’s engagement party tonight. Danny will be here around 6:30 to pick me up. Momma, please be sure to iron my blue blouse. She shot a smug look at Maddie. Danny loves my blue blouse. What time are you and Seth going? she asked, taking a seat across the table from Maddie.

I’m not! I have to work tonight.

Her sister smirked and said, "Oh, that’s too bad! Everyone that’s anyone will be there!"

Hester spoke up and told Margie, That is enough. Eat your breakfast. Maddie didn’t speak another word. She simply stood and took her cup to the sink. She stuck the paper in her back pocket as Buck handed her some cash and the keys to his truck with a smile. She smiled back as she said, I’ll be back, Momma, turned, and walked out the screen door.

Chapter 3

MADDIE CLIMBED INTO BUCK’S old Chevy rust bucket. After a few tries at the choke, she kicked it to life. She pulled onto the gravel road with her blood boiling. She couldn’t help but let tears make their way down her face as she spoke out loud. Lord, why does everyone get to have fun but me? I work hard, I’m a good student, yet I seem to constantly be punished for being good.

She looked out the window then added, That Margie is such a spoiled brat. She shouldn’t even be going tonight. I wasn’t allowed to go out with a boy until last summer, and I’m eighteen. She complained to herself all the way to town, working out her anger before she pulled up in front of the general store where Seth sat on the bench waiting on her to arrive.

Maddie couldn’t help but smile when she stepped from the truck and spoke, Good morning, Seth.

Seth approached the truck and said, Morning, Maddie. So what’s on your list of chores from the warden today? laughing as he reached for her hand.

Maddie just giggled and responded. Oh, Seth, you know Momma. Food, food…

And in unison, they both said, And more food! laughing as they walked into the store.

It was cold yet very bright inside the store. Shopping carts sat to the left of the door with wheels that squeaked and never seemed to go the correct direction. The newspaper stand was to the right of the door. You would find the groceries on one side of the building and housewares on the other. If you should find you need to fix, build, or feed anything, it could be found in the back of the store, in the hardware section, as well as the feed mill.

Seth released her hand and grabbed his own cart. Give me half so we can divide and conquer your sentence and get more alone time. He smiled and winked at her. She tore the paper in half and handed him his half. He looked at it Oh hell no! I don’t get girly stuff! and switched her papers.

She broke out in laughter and said, Chicken! as she took the other half. Okay, I’ll meet you back up here at checkout. And they were off. They met back at the checkout where Maddie paid the tab, and they left the store.

While they were loading the bags in the back of the truck, Maddie glanced across the street to see her sister’s boyfriend, Danny, a self-assured James Dean knockoff, kissing another girl. Maddie grabbed Seth’s arm. Oh my! Look!

Seth shook his head. Yeah, that’s the new sheriff’s daughter. They been fooling around for a couple weeks.

She couldn’t believe her ears. What? Seth, he has been dating Margie for months. She was just saying he was picking her up tonight for the engagement party over at Steve’s parents’ house.

Seth looked in that direction again. Well, I don’t know, Maddie. It’s messed up for him to do Margie that way. He has most likely already conquered Margie and now is moving on to his next victim. Margie is way too good for Danny anyway. Besides, if he doesn’t show, we can take her with us if you want.

She paused, then said, Um. Seth about that…

Instantly, Seth took the challenge and spoke, Maddie, no! We’ve had this planned for months. You were supposed to ask off. Seth spoke, clearly upset.

Maddie pled her case. I did, Seth, but Jenn scheduled me tonight anyway. I have Saturday off. She stepped toward him, laying her hand on his chest and looking up into his eyes. So we can attend the wedding together. I’m really sorry, but, Seth, you know I need the money for college.

Seth huffed. I still don’t understand why you wanna go to college, Maddie May. Damn! Haven’t you had enough school? he spoke as he took her into his arms and kissed her. She kissed him then backed away. We want out of this town, Seth. Remember, we have plans. Sure, it sucks now, but think of our future. She looked up into his eyes. I have no future without you, Seth. We deserve more than this place.

Seth’s expression changed. So what? You really think we will ever actually get out of this town, Maddie? Wake up! You’re dreaming if you think people like us get to live a fancy dream. Your place is here with me, being my wife and raising our children. Just like our folks and theirs before them. I make enough at the mill to give us a good life. He paused then asked, Don’t you want to marry me, Maddie? Don’t you love me?

She instantly went into panic mode. Of course, I love you, Seth, but we’re young. I want more than just a good life for us. Don’t you? I don’t wanna end up like Momma and Buck, houseful of kids they’re barely able to clothe or feed. Seth, you’re an artist, not a mill worker. I want us to travel and see the world before we settle down, she spoke with a twinkle in her eye and glee in her voice.

Seth just stood, clearly upset. You are always dreaming, Maddie. Neither of us will ever leave this town. Wake up. He turned, shaking his head. I’ll catch you later. Maybe when you have some time for the man you claim to love so much. I love you, Maddie, and I’ll be here when you fall off your dream cloud and are ready to take life seriously. He turned back toward her, kissed her, then walked away and left her standing by the side of the truck.

She stood speechless, not sure why they kept having the same fight. Maybe he was right. Maybe college wasn’t the right answer; after all, Seth was her life. This would be the weekend she gave herself to him for the first time. He is all she really needed.

As she climbed into the truck, she looked back across the street at her sister’s possible future, then around at the old town and withered people that called it home. She thought to herself, There just has to be more, and drove out of town.

When she arrived home, Maddie went to Margie and tried to tell her what she had seen Danny doing. Margie exploded. You are a liar! You’re just jealous because I get to go to the party, and you don’t. Danny loves me. He tells me so all the time. I hate you, Maddie May! I hate you! And she ran out of the house.

Chapter 4

TASHIA WOKE AS THE plane descended into Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. She opened the shade, exhaled, and gazed out the window as she started to recall why she had left Ohio in the first place.

When the plane touched down, Tashia was not happy about being there. She only wanted to be home with Jon where she belonged; however, thanks to Abby, that wasn’t possible. At least not now. She knew he would tire of her just like he had so many others before her. When that happened, she would be there to pick up the pieces just like she always had been. Nothing mattered to her except Jon Nova and planning her next strategic move.

She knew Jon Nova better than he knew himself, and she knew what and who was best for him; and it was not Abby Gates. As the plane landed and sat on the tarmac, waiting to unload, she fought against the memories of that day.

Tashia closed her eyes when she remembered that she had tried to reach Seth the next morning. His mother told her he didn’t come home the night before. She had thought to herself, He must have drunk too much and stayed at Steve’s. Lord knows it’s happened before.

Tashia’s mind raced off and on into her past as she recalled being Maddie May Martin. She had gone about her day smiling. Finally, her mother asked what she was so happy about. She told her momma about the conversation she and Seth had, and how she had decided she would not attend college; she would marry Seth and live happily ever after.

* * * * *

Her mother bucked, What? Why would you choose marriage over college after all your hard work, Maddie May? If he really loves you, he’d encourage you to go to college and make something of yourself. Please don’t let some boy change your lifelong dream. Not at the gates of the goal. Don’t end up like me. Go to college. You never know what or who the future holds for you. Don’t settle like me, her mother spoke with tears in her eyes.

* * * * *

Tashia descended the plane, thinking about how upset she had been at her mother.

* * * * *

Maddie shook her head and narrowed her eyes in disbelief as she said, Momma, I love Seth, and nothing is worth losing him. Besides, I already declined the offer to Ohio State. No! My place is here with my family. She spoke respectfully yet stood her ground on the subject, which she was not known to do.

Her mother just sighed and shook her head then said, Okay, but you’re gonna regret it someday. Mark my words, Maddie. Her mother turned and walked from the house with a basketful of clean wet laundry to hang on the clothesline.

* * * * *

Tashia couldn’t help but shake her head at the memory as she waited for her suitcases. She remembered trying to reach Seth all day. Tashia started to feel that all-too-familiar pain in her chest, thinking about the day he hadn’t shown up for their lunch date. He wasn’t calling her back. Buck was gone in the truck, so she was stuck wondering what was going on.

In their three years together, he had never missed a day of calling, let alone a date. Tashia closed her eyes against the memory of the pain her heart felt when the phone finally rang that day but was for her brother, Dennis. How could you, Seth? Tashia spoke to herself, picking up her luggage as she closed her eyes against the memories now flooding her mind.

The last thing Tashia wanted was to see Seth Wallace. Being home was giving