Free Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake Page A

cranky old wicked witch?” She slapped her hand over her mouth, a minute too late.
Oops.
Day tried not to snicker.
    Barbara sighed, and Liam pulled her close for a brief hug before letting her go. “She’s only a little wicked,” he said to Jenna. “And way less cranky than she used to be. Would you like to come in?”
    Barbara hesitated for one long moment and then stepped out of the way. “Yes, do come in. You obviously know who I am. This is my husband, Liam.”
    She led the way into a cheerful kitchen with slightly worn wide-plank floors, cream-colored walls, and gray-blue cabinets. The sun was shining in past blue-and-cream-striped curtains, highlighting the dark-haired girl sitting at a long, rectangular wooden table. The child, who looked about six or seven, was perched on a high stool so she could reach the table, her pixie-cut hair, pointed chin, and sharp cheekbones making her look like a tiny urchin. A gigantic pile of pancakes sat in front of her on a glossy blue pottery plate. At the sight of Day, her whole face lit up.
    â€œMikhail! You came! Barbara said you would, but that we might have to wait for hell to freeze over first. Did it?”
    As soon as she spotted Jenna, the girl set her fork on her plate, hopped down from the stool, and marched over to shake Jenna’s hand briskly. “Good morning,” the urchin said politely. “Welcome to our home. My name is Babs. I live with Barbara and Liam now. I am eating breakfast. The pancakes are excellent. Would you like some?”
    Jenna bit her lip, trying not to laugh. Mick smothered a grin.
    â€œWe’re working on manners,” Liam explained, wiping at a smear of syrup on the small girl’s face. “Babs was adopted from somewhat unusual circumstances, and she’s still trying to figure out how things work here.” He smiled kindly at the child. “Very well done, sweetie. Why don’t you go finish your pancakes before the bus gets here.”
    â€œDo I have to go to school?” Babs asked, big brown eyes looking at Jenna plaintively. “We have a guest. She looks interesting. I think I might learn more if I stayed home than if I went to school.” She turned to Jenna. “I already learned my alphabet and numbers. Barbara says I am too smart for my own good, but I think being smart is excellent.”
    â€œI think so too,” Jenna said. “But I will probably still be here when you get home. Your, uh, Barbara and I have a lot to talk about.”
    â€œExcellent,” Babs said, and sat back down at the table.
    â€œThat’s her word for the week,” Barbara said, mouthing
thank you
as she finished packing a lunch box sitting on the counter. Two fresh plates of pancakes suddenly appeared at the table, a cup of coffee steaming next to each one. “Sit down. You might as well have some breakfast since you’re here.” It wasn’t gracious, but Day figured that since the old Barbara wouldn’t have even thought to feed guests, it still showed a certain improvement in her attitude. Clearly marriage to Liam agreed with his old friend.
    A honking sound came from the road, and Liam scoopedup Babs, her lunch, and a sheriff’s hat, somehow juggling them all long enough to give Barbara an extended and surprisingly passionate kiss. “That’s my cue,” he said. “I’ll be heading out to work after I take Babs up to the bus.” He hesitated, looking from Day to Barbara and back again. “Unless you need me to stay?”
    Barbara cocked an eyebrow. “I’m sure that Mikhail wouldn’t come all this way and not have dinner with us.
Would you
, Day?” The hint of a threat colored her words and Day nodded, although in fact he’d had no intention of staying any longer than it would take to drop Jenna off and explain her situation.
    â€œGreat,” Liam said, plopping his hat on his head. “I’ll call you