Courting the Clown by Cathy Quinn Read Free Book Online

anymore. Who is this guy? Do you even know his last name? For all you know the job involves handcuffs and a video camera!”
    Sylvie made a face at her cousin. “Yes, I know his last name. And he looked on the up and up. He was picking his kid up from a birthday party, remember? It’s not like I met him in some seedy dark alley somewhere. I’m meeting him at his office tomorrow to go over the options.”
    Susie still looked skeptical. “But you have no idea what kind of a job it is?”
    “He owns a store. He said it could be office work, or retail.” Sylvie shrugged. “I’m flexible. Starving artists can’t be choosers.”
    “No steady music job in sight?”
    “Not really. Not yet. But it’s only been a few weeks since I lost that other job.”
    “Yeah. Something will come up,” Susie said. “I’m sure it will. And if you’re really in trouble financially, you know you only have to ask. I’d help you out. So would Helen. Please don’t be afraid to ask.”
    “I’m okay. Not starving, honest! Not yet,” she added under her breath.
    “Sylvie...!”
    “Seriously, don’t worry. I can always get odd jobs, enough to tidy me over. Like the one I’m interviewing for tomorrow. I’ll be fine.”
    Susie started at her speculatively, hand on chin. Sylvie squirmed. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked. “I’m not sure I like it!”
    Susie’s fingers slowly unfurled and she pointed at her. “The Dad! That’s the guy who put that look on your face!”
    “Of course not.” Sylvie felt lying color flood her cheeks. “Don’t be ridiculous!”
    “So he’s not married, I hope? Divorced? A weekend dad?”
    “No.”
    “He’s married? Damn!”
    “I mean, no, he’s not a weekend dad. Full-time dad. Or that was the impression I got, anyway. The kids’ mother died, so I guess he’s a widower, but of course he could have remarried. Although he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring.”
    “You noticed, did you?” Susie said with a smirk.
    Sylvie shook her head hard and glared at Susie. “Not that it matters. Nothing is going on.”
    “Not yet.”
    “ I met the guy once! I was wearing a clown suit. Looking more horrible than any other day in my entire life. He’s not even going to recognize me out of the suit. And besides, this man has two kids. Imagine me getting involved with someone with kids! What a disaster that would be. For the kids and me.”
    Susie just snickered.
    “And...” Sylvie added dramatically. “I’m leaving now. I’ll be calling Helen tonight to go over our strategy regarding your punishment. Get ready to face your destiny.”
    Susie winked. “Do your worst!” she shouted after Sylvie as she pulled the door open. “I’m not afraid!”
    Helen laughed at first when Sylvie related her story over the phone, curled up in bed with Lazarus on her legs and a cup of warm tea on her nightstand. There was no sympathy at all, until Sylvie had enough and reminded her that she would indeed have her turn.
    “Oh, God,” Helen said, sobering up instantly. “You wouldn’t do something this terrible to me, would you?”
    “Hmm.”
    “Come on! I’m your favorite cousin, aren’t I?”
    “Don’t play innocent. I know you and Susie came up with this together. You’re just as bad as she is.”
    “I didn’t know she planned to leave you there alone,” Helen protested. “Honest! I thought she’d be there with you. You wouldn’t do something this cruel to me, would you?”
    “Don’t worry, Helen. We’ll just do what we agreed to do – push you out of your comfort zone. It might hurt a bit, but in the end it’ll be good for you.” Sylvie smiled furtively. “You know, like a dentist’s visit.”
    Helen had a slight dentist phobia. Sylvie could almost hear her shuddering through the phone. “I don’t trust you,” Helen said. “I think you’re in the mood for revenge, and you don’t mind too much which of us it is. Just remember – the clown thing was all Sylvie’s