Gunning For Angels (Fallen Angels Book 1) by C. Mack Lewis Read Free Book Online

sixteen years without knowing that something as magical heuvos rancheros existed!
    She knew it was a boneheaded move to leave the last of her money as a tip for Mona but something inside her urged her to it. She felt the need to put herself out and broke on the Phoenix concrete to see what kind of luck she could conjure up.
    If I’m desperate enough – maybe it’ll give me the courage to go back to the Jack Fox Detective Agency.
    She shouldered her backpack and headed out the front door. The Phoenix sunshine struck her as startlingly different from the Florida weather she’d grown up in. The Phoenix sun seemed more honest than Florida’s baggage of haze and humidity.
    Enid’s eyes caught Jeni coming out of the building and Enid furtively followed her. Jeni walked a city block before she reached a Honda Civic with enough dents to qualify it for a Purple Heart.
    Jeni slid in and was in the process of grinding the gears to a painful start when Enid knocked on her window.
    Jeni jumped like she’d been shot.
    Enid made an apologetic face as Jeni rolled down the window.
    “Hey,” Enid said, feeling like an idiot.  
    Jeni surprised her by lighting up with a smile. “I owe you a big thanks! You got me a discount.”
    “How much?” Enid asked, smiling in response.
    “Hey, what’s up with you busting in like that? Why’d you bite him? What was that about?” Jeni eyed Enid with sudden suspicion.
    “I think he’s my dad, ” Enid blurted out.
    Jeni’s mouth fell open in surprise. “Wildfire! Does he know?”
    “Um…”
    “Oh my god!” Jeni interrupted, “ I’m looking for my mom and you – you’re looking for your dad! What are the odds?”
    “I don’t think he likes me.”
    “I wouldn’t either if you took a chunk of meat out of my arm.”
    “I don’t think he likes kids.” Enid frowned.
    “You’re not a kid. How old are you? Sixteen? I was payin’ light bills at sixteen.”
    “Would you mind – uh – giving me a lift to the bus stop?”
    “You’re not going to bite me, are you?”
    Enid smiled sheepishly, shook her head.
    “Plant the tush in the cush.” Jeni waved at the passenger seat.
    Enid gratefully circled the car and got in the passenger’s side. Jeni hauled baby stuff off the passenger seat and threw it into the back. “Sorry for the mess.”
    “How many kids do you have?”
    “One sweetheart of a little girl. I named her Faith after that chick on that soap opera who fell in love with the monk who had amnesia.” Jeni sighed before she started grinding the gears again.
    Enid flinched at the sound. “You want me to drive?”
    “You have a license?” Jeni asked.
    “Um…”
    “Chinese fire drill!” Jeni hopped out, ran around the car and pushed a surprised Enid toward the driver’s seat, forcing Enid to climb over the shift lever. A shrill catcall came from a passing truck. Jeni ignored it.
    “Where to?” Enid asked, excited to be behind the wheel.
    “Bus station, right?” Jeni shot Enid a look, “Hey, why are you going to the bus station? Aren’t you going to tell him he’s your dad?”
    Enid checked the mirrors as she said, “I told you, I don’t think he likes me.”
    “Big whup! If he’s your dad, he’s your dad.”
    Enid eased into traffic, “Do you like your – uh, fake mother?”
    Jeni made a face, shrugged.
    Enid hesitated, glanced at Jeni, “Um – would you know – do they…?”
    “Spit it out.”
    “Do you think I’d get in trouble – if I slept at the bus stop tonight?” Enid blurted out, face red.
    “Are you shittin’ me?”
    “Noo,” Enid said, uncertain.
    “I don’t have an y money if that’s what you want. I’m barely keepin’ my own ass above water.” Jeni frowned.
    “I don’t want anything! I just wanted to make sure – I mean – they’ll let me – right ?” Enid gazed at her with worried eyes.
    Jeni examined her. After a long moment, she cut loose a sigh. “You can stay with me. Turn right up