Free Kelpie (Come Love a Fey) by Kaye Draper Page B

said.  I
smelled like Noah?  I didn’t know Bethany even liked Noah.  Apparently, no one
was safe from his charm.
    The
day flew by in a flurry of paperwork and hectic phone calls.  As soon as I got
close to finishing one task, three more piled up.  I got a break from deskwork
in the afternoon, while I gave the higher-ups a tour of the office as they did
their quarterly reviews. 
    I
put my computer into sleep mode and took my little bag into the ladies room.  I
emerged several minutes later, hair smooth, lipstick perfect, and warm smile
fixed firmly in place.  After stowing my bag, I went to the lobby to meet the
group of people in business suits.  Their expressions ranged from mildly
curious to outright bored, and the sudden image of a heard of fat sheep sprang
into my head. 
    “Good
afternoon,” I said warmly.  “Welcome to our office, I’m Ada, Noah’s assistant
manager.  I’m pleased to see you again.”  There were a couple of new faces this
time, so I ramped up the smile.  I thought my face might crack.
    “Thank
you for coming to meet with us,” I shook each hand firmly.  “I think you will
see that we’ve made some improvements over the last quarter that aid in both
quality and efficiency.  But first let’s stop by the meeting room and get you
all some refreshments.” 
    I
took them to the boardroom where I had set up a spread of pastries and flavored
coffee.  Then we glided around the office where I explained each employee’s
position and his or her contribution to the company.  I emphasized our pride in
frequently meeting in person with each client we served.  I complimented them
on their intelligent questions.  I chatted with them about their children and
their cats.  I stifled the part of me that was sick to death of it all.
    Noah
met up with us when we returned to the boardroom.  I had them warmed-up, now he
would do all the presentations and run the numbers.  “It was a pleasure.”  I
said as I closed the door behind me.  “Have a wonderful afternoon!”
    I
suppressed the urge to lean against the door and exhale.  I have always hated
public speaking, and my jaw was sore from smiling for two hours straight.  I
returned to my desk, and the pile of work that had accumulated in my absence, with
a sick sense of relief. 
    When
I got home, I stopped just inside the door and slipped off my shoes.  I had
been standing more than usual today, and my feet ached.  I slipped off my
jacket and shirt, leaving on the camisole and skirt.  I sighed, feeling less
confined, and went to find my guest.
    The
slider was open again, and I could hear the deep, soothing murmur of his voice. 
I crossed the room toward the balcony, but paused just outside the door.  His
voice was really, unbelievably beautiful.  I closed my eyes and just listened
for a moment.  All the tension left my shoulders, and my breathing slowed.  I
opened my eyes and stepped out into the late afternoon sun. 
    I
took a single step then froze, not wanting to disturb the scene in front of
me.  Leith was leaning against the railing with an arm outstretched in front of
him.  A big, round robin was perched in his palm, and he was talking to it in a
low voice. 
    “Are
you sure?”  He asked intently.  “Things have progressed this far?”  His eyes
lifted to meet mine and he gave me a sweet smile that softened the harsh angles
of his face.  The robin gave a little hop and canted its head to look at me
then launched itself into flight, disappearing over the top of the building.
    I
went to join him at the railing.  “What in the world were you doing with that
bird?”  I asked in wonder.  “How did you get it to land on your hand?”  He
shifted his position slightly to look at me and I saw the open bag of Cheetos
sitting at his feet.
    “She’s
not a bird, she’s a sprite,” he clarified, “and I was attempting to bring
myself up to speed with what is happening in our world.”
    I
raised my eyebrows.