Free Juliet's Law by Ruth Wind Page A

fur and a big black head, and a lolling, happy tongue. He nosed her hand and wiggled around in a circle around Josh. “This,” Josh said, “is Jack.”
    â€œToo many J’s,” Juliet said.
    He laughed.
    Glory took Juliet’s hand. “Come inside, Princess,” she said, gazing upward with naked admiration, and brushed hair out of her face. The little girl’s small fingers were cool and dry, but very sure. “Come sit down.”
    The house smelled of lemons and cinnamon, and beneath that, something Juliet couldn’t quite name, a little sweet and exotic. They entered a large living room furnished simply with a slightly threadbare couch, two chairs and a giant ottoman, all gathered around a potbellied stove. A round table sat beneath a very old drop light made of frosted glass, and a large window topped with leaded glass looked down the street to a perfectly framed view of the town and a tumble of aspens above it.
    She turned around. “Butterscotch,” she said to Josh.
    He didn’t understand immediately, then lookedover her shoulder to the view of aspens, and grinned. “You’re right.”
    The expression transformed his face. His eyes crinkled up at the corners and a fan of sun lines radiated outward into his high-planed cheeks. Big strong teeth showed in a wide smile. Juliet felt an electric little zing through her chest.
    Whoa. Careful there, she thought. Flustered, she bent and petted the dog, who had followed them into the room. He lay down at her feet, sighing hard. Juliet chuckled when he covered one of her arches. “Silly thing.”
    â€œHello again,” Helene said. “You must be very special—nothing would do but the most special of our cookies.” She gestured with amusement to the plate of sugar cookies dusted with cinnamon and slices of yellow cake. “I hope you’re hungry.”
    â€œDefinitely.”
    Josh put his hand on her shoulder. “I have a few errands to run, so I’ll leave you to the care of the females in my world, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œWe’ll be fine,” Helene said. “Run along.”
    A wave of disappointment washed over Juliet, and she had to paste a smile on her face. “We’ll be fine.”
    As she helped herself to the tea and cookies, she told herself it was better this way. The less she saw of him, the wiser it would be. Even if she didn’t have a fiancé—which she did!—she had other issues. So did Josh.
    To the little girl awaiting her opinion of the feast, shesaid, “Glory, I have never tasted such a delicious cookie in my life.”
    Glory said in the way only a four-year-old could, “I know.” She leaned her hand on her chin. “Will you marry my daddy, Princess? Then I could have a mommy who was a princess.”
    Helene said, “Glory, we don’t ask such personal questions.”
    â€œIt isn’t personal.”
    Juliet said quickly, “Would you like to show me your red shoes before we forget?”
    â€œHey! That’s a good idea!”
    Over Glory’s head, Helene mouthed, “Sorry!”
    Juliet just shook her head and let a starstruck little girl lead her to the red shoes, feeling like a movie star or a…well, a princess.
    Â 
    After showing off her shoes and other treasures, including butterfly hair clips and a poster of Snow White, then having cookies and tea, Glory was glazed with overstimulation. Juliet tried to take her leave, thinking to make up an excuse so the poor thing could get a nap.
    â€œOh, don’t go yet, Princess,” Glory cried. “Auntie Desi’s not here. How’re you gonna get home?”
    â€œWhat if you get me some books and we sit here and read?”
    â€œOkay! Will you read to me? I have a whole book about princesses.”
    Helene chuckled.
    â€œOf course,” Juliet said.
    Glory ran into the other room to find the book shewanted, and Juliet