Free The Hitwoman Hunts a Ghost by JB Lynn Page A

attack Bob?”
    I looked at the man who Susan was helping up from the floor. I almost dropped the chair when I realized he was Bob, Aunt Susan’s boyfriend. “Bob.”
    “Oops,” God muttered.
    “I’m so sorry.” I put the chair back on the floor and hurried to help him up. “I didn’t know it was you. I thought Katie was being attacked.”
    “So you ran in and tackled him?” Susan asked, guiding Bob to sit in the chair I’d almost broken over his head.
    “I didn’t realize it was him. I heard her screaming and he was leaning over the bed and...” I shrugged helplessly. “I’m sorry.”
    “He was trying to get her to eat her carrots,” Susan informed me coldly. “And you barging in here and physically attacking someone is not acceptable no matter what the circumstances.”
    “Give the girl a break,” Bob said. “Considering all she’s been through lately, her reaction was understandable.”
    “Understandable?” Susan shrieked. “Understandable?”
    Bob patted her leg. “Yes, dear. She was protecting her family. You can’t fault her for that.”
    “I most certainly can.”
    “But you shouldn’t,” Bob’s admonishment was voiced softly, but laced with an edge of steel. “People have been hurting Maggie and her family. You should commend her for her willingness to put herself in the path of danger.”
    “Thank you,” I murmured. “Thank you for understanding, Bob.”
    He smiled up at me. “You, young lady, pack quite a punch.”
    I winced. “I’m sorry.”
    He shook his head. “You didn’t break anything. I’ll live.”
    “Luckily,” Susan said. “Really, Margaret—”
    “Why don’t you go find me something to drink?” Bob interrupted.
    Susan blinked at him, accustomed to being the one giving orders.
    “Really,” Bob told her sternly. “Go for a walk. Calm down and bring me back a drink.”
    She opened her mouth to reply.
    “Please,” he added firmly, before winking at her.
    “Impossible,” she grumbled under her breath as she strode out of the room. “You’re all impossible.”
    “She’s not wrong. The women in this family are impossible.” Bob looked over at Katie who was watching the exchange like it was a Wimbledon match. “That includes you, young lady.”
    She beamed, obviously proud of herself.
    “I’ll make it up to you,” I promised him.
    “Call my sister about that job she wants to give you. That’ll be penance enough.”
    I blinked. “That’s what you want from me?”
    “Yup.”
    “But I tackled you.”
    “You certainly did.”
    “But why...?”
    He held up a finger to stop me. “I like you, Maggie. And sometimes the things that don’t show up on resumes are the things that are worth their weight in gold. Like that you work hard and you’re loyal to your family. Just give her a call. Let her explain what she’s offering. I’m not asking you to take the job. I’m just asking you to consider it. Will you do that for me?”
    I nodded.
    “Good girl.” Jerking his chin in Katie’s direction, he added, “Now let’s see if you can get her to eat her vegetables without her screaming her little head off.”
    Turning to Katie, I gave her my sternest look. “Eat your vegetables, Katie.”
    Crossing her arms over her chest, she stuck out her lower lip defiantly.
    “They’ll help you grow big and strong,” I cajoled, despising the note of desperation in my voice.
    She shook her head.
    Too tired and overwhelmed to do battle with her, I shrugged my surrender. “Okay.”
    She flashed a victory grin.
    “I was going to let you visit with Godzilla, but if you’re going to be that way...” I turned my back on her. “Help me out here,” I whispered to the lizard.
    Surprisingly, he obliged by scampering out of my shirt and onto my waiting palm. I carefully placed him down on the other bed in the room. He scampered up Dominic and lay down on his chest.
    “Hey,” Katie protested.
    “Your choice, baby girl,” I told her. “You eat your