Free Putting Out Old Flames by Allyson Charles Page B

reopen at four. Chance and the chief took the staircase in the small alley next to the building, and knocked on the upstairs door.
    Pans crashed, the sound muffled through the wall, followed by silence. Chance and Finnegan eyed each other.
    Chance raised his hand again to knock, but stopped when Edith’s voice called out, “Just one moment.”
    Some shuffling, a couple of bumps, and hushed whispers made Chance frown. He knew the sounds of trouble being covered up.
    The door swung open, and Edith’s long tunic billowed in the breeze. “Oh. Hello, Chance. Chief.”
    The smell of something sweet floated out the open door. “Baking something?” Chance asked.
    â€œJust some granola.” She tucked a lock of hair behind one ear. “And I’m burning a candle.”
    â€œGood.” Chance moved inside, Finnegan a step behind him. “Because Josh can get really hyper with sweets, and his dinner’s not far away.”
    â€œOf course.” Smiling, Edith led them down a narrow hall. “I remember you telling me that.” She raised her voice. “Josh. Your father’s here.”
    The sound of running water cut off. Josh raced out of the bathroom, sliding to a stop in front of Chance. “Hiya, Dad. You done with your chores already?”
    Edith stepped between the two, her back to Josh. Reaching back with her arm, she swiped at Josh’s face, never taking her eyes off Chance. “Josh was a doll to watch. Anytime you need a babysitter, just let me know. If you and Jane want to go out, I’m available.”
    â€œThat’s mighty generous of you,” Finnegan said, his voice low, aggressive. “I didn’t know you had so much free time.”
    Edith narrowed her eyes. “I always have time for those who are important to me.”
    Chance gave Edith a weary smile. It would be nice to have a backup for when Katie was busy, although Chance had no illusions about needing a babysitter in order to date Jane. But she wasn’t the only woman in Pineville. He might need a babysitter for a date with another woman.
    He rubbed his chest. “Thanks.” Reaching around Edith, he snagged his son by his shoulder. “By the way, you missed a spot.” Chance wiped a smear of chocolate off Josh’s cheek. “Frosting?”
    â€œWe made brownies.” Josh jumped up and down and squealed.
    â€œOh boy.” It was going to be one heck of a night.

Chapter Six
    K atie popped a tablespoon of sugar-free vanilla ice cream into her mouth. “I can’t believe anyone would want to marry that train wreck,” she mumbled around her mouthful. Pushing the ice cream carton away, she wrinkled her nose. “This tastes like ass.”
    â€œNice language.” Chance looked over at his son. Josh was snapping plastic blocks together at the kitchen table, oblivious to their hushed conversation about his mother.
    She leaned over from her perch on a barstool at the kitchen counter, darted a glance at her nephew. “I’m just saying, what kind of man decides to marry that W-I-T-C-H?” she asked.
    He paused from stirring his marinara sauce, spoon raised. “You’ll spell out that word but say ‘ass’?” Shaking his head, he leveled the spoon at his sister. “She should be here in about half an hour, and you need to play nice. I don’t want Josh sensing trouble between us.”
    â€œI know.” She poked at her ice cream, then looked up at him with a hopeful smile. “It will be easier for me to keep my mouth shut if you put real food in front of me.”
    â€œSpaghetti and meatballs is real food.” He had backed down from steaks in the interests of keeping the peace, but no way was he giving up his meatballs. Annette could just push them off her plate.
    She shrugged. “Yeah, that’s okay. But I’m tired of those funky-tasting shakes you keep buying and this fake-dessert crap you keep