Free Through the Looking Glass by Autumn Dawn Page B

caught it and tossed it back. "She doesn’t drink."
    She glared at him. "I--"
    Casually, Rabbit slid a hand around her waist and anchored it on her hip. Stunned by his move, she listened in silence as he spoke to the pair.
    "Our cousin sent me to make sure you were on the road. You know how it ticks him off when you’re late, Hatter."
    The black man, Hatter, spread his hands. "I was having lunch first. Bud and I were going to get going right after. Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you leave your friend with us? We’ll bring her along after we all eat." He winked at Ali.
    Bud wagged his shaggy brows in agreement.
    Uneasy, Ali inched closer to Rabbit. His hand stroked her hip reassuringly, then slapped lightly. "We’ll see you later." Ali wasted no time in swinging on behind him.
    She waited until they rounded the corner before asking, "Was there something wrong with the brownies?" She could imagine the sardonic grin that curved his lips as he answered.
    "If you’d had one of those, hot stuff, you’d loosen up considerably, and my cousin would definitely be late."
    She blushed. "You mean it had stuff in it? Narcotics?"
    "Magic mushrooms. They don’t call him the Mad Hatter for nothing."
    Ali declined to ask about the beer.
    Another few miles passed before they saw another building. This one looked like an English cottage and sported some interesting knotty pine animals on its front lawn. The side yard was full of sculpted bushes and bright flowers bounded by low hedges. People came and went, most on foot, some on thick, squat ponies. No one had a bike like Rabbit.
    A maid looked up from dumping a pan of dirty water on the flowers by the front steps. "Rabbit!" she squealed. Leaving the pan on the porch, she bounced up, blond ringlets--among other things--bouncing. Those ‘things’ were well displayed in her low-cut peasant dress. "Where’ve you been, honey?" she asked in a throaty murmur. Ali she ignored.
    "Little bit of everywhere," Rabbit answered with the hint of a purr. He glanced at Ali and straightened up. "We need a quick lunch, Glenda. I can’t stay long."
    Pouting, Glenda cast an unfriendly look at Ali and flounced back to the inn.
    "Friend of yours?" Ali asked acidly. Not that it was her business, but she’d rode in with him. The least the wench could do was wait until she was in the ladies room before she hit on her ride.
    Rabbit cleared his throat. "Thought you were hungry?"
    Ali snorted and put her hand in her pocket as she headed for the door. To her surprise, her fist closed around coins. At least she wouldn’t have to depend on him for her meal.
    They sat down and Glenda showed up, carrying a plate and a mug. She set them in front of Rabbit, bending farther forward than was strictly necessary. "I always know what you want, big boy." She winked and looked archly at Ali. "What can I get you, honey?"
    Irked, Ali brought the unfamiliar coins out of her pocket and laid them on the table. "I don’t know. What will these buy?"
    Rabbit and Glenda stared. Slowly, Glenda blinked. She looked at Rabbit with dawning understanding. "Now I get it. She’s a mercy pickup, right? Poor boy, you’ve got your work cut out for you." Shaking her head, she headed for the kitchen.
    Rabbit recovered his tongue. Scooping up the coins, he demanded, "Put those back! Are you out of your mind?" Noticing the interested stares directed their way, he glared back, gaining their privacy. "Never mind. I’ll hold on to these for you." The money disappeared into his pants pocket. "Saints," he grumbled. "I’ll be the target for every mugger from here to the capital."
    Unimpressed, Ali said coolly, "I was trying to buy lunch."
    "Why don’t you just buy the inn while you’re at it? You got any more of that hidden on you?" Unimpressed by her glare, he swore under his breath and swept his gaze around the room. "What idiot turned you loose on the road? Or are you running away?" The idea seemed to gain merit with him. Carefully, he