Free Damsel Under Stress by Shanna Swendson Page A

know.”
    He sighed and bit the head off a gingerbread man. I couldn’t help but flinch. “Perhaps,” he said.
    “Look, I don’t mean to pry or get into your business, but as you may recall, I do know something about what you really are, and I suspect most of your issues with Gemma have to do with that. You’re out of your time, which has to be disconcerting. Things have changed a lot, particularly the courtship rituals. For example, engraved invitations and chaperones aren’t really necessary these days.”
    “Yes, she made that clear to me.”
    “We have other ways to communicate,” I went on, but before I could start on the wonders of the cellular phone, he pulled a tiny flip-phone model out of his breast pocket. It was even fancier than Gemma’s. “Okay, you’ve figured that part out for yourself.”
    “I suspect she’s feeling neglected,” he said, snapping a leg off his gingerbread man. “I have been busy, but I can’t explain to her why I’ve been busy.”
    “What’s keeping you so busy?”
    “I’m trying to regain my family business. An unscrupulous associate of my father’s was the one who enchanted me, and then when my disappearance was never explained and I never returned, he inherited the business upon my father’s death. His descendants are still running the business, and I must take back what is rightfully mine.”
    “Yeah, that would tend to keep you busy,” I agreed. “And you’re right, it would be hard to explain. But have you told her you’re busy at work? She should understand that much.”
    He reassembled the headless gingerbread man on his plate, shoving the broken leg back into place with his index finger. “I’m not even certain that us being together is a good idea at this time. She came across me when I was feeling very lost, and she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Now, though, I have business I must attend to, and her association with me could put her at risk from my enemies. I cannot expect her to wait for me, either.”
    “You know, I work for the big guns in the magical world, so I’m sure I could get you some help if you needed it.”
    Hope flickered in his eyes. “I could use your assistance with something. As I understand it, you’re a magical immune.”
    “That’s right.”
    “I’ve scheduled a meeting with the new head of what should be my company. He doesn’t know who I am, simply that I’m a potential investor. It might be useful to have a magical immune present to help me determine if underhanded means are being used.”
    “I guess I could do that. When’s the meeting, and what’s your excuse for having me with you?”
    “The meeting is Thursday afternoon. I thought perhaps you could pose as my wife or lady friend.”
    “Undercover work sounds like fun, and I get off early that day. Maybe I could be the daughter of a Texas oilman with money of my own to invest.”
    The blank expression on his face reminded me that he’d never seen an episode of Dallas. He nodded politely and said, “Whatever you think is best. The meeting is at two in the afternoon. Shall I call for you here?”
    “Yeah, that’ll be fine.”
    “I appreciate your assistance. And I thank you for the tea.” He put on his coat and hat and left, and I finally had the apartment all to myself. Talking about Gemma’s relationship issues reminded me of my own. While I was looking forward to living out all of my romantic holiday fantasies now that I finally had someone to share them with, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I was about to meet Owen’s foster parents, and I knew they’d see this as a big event. I had to find gifts.
    If ever there was one, this sounded like a time to call on a fairy godmother. I went to my nightstand to retrieve Ethelinda’s locket from the jewelry box I kept in the back of the drawer. I hesitated, though, as I sat on my bed and prepared to open the locket to summon the fairy godmother. I was almost always a hit with the parents of