Mystical Warrior by Janet Chapman Read Free Book Online Page A

suddenly grinned. “But Maddy is giving me a son, according to Mac, and at least I won’t have to worry about him .”
    Trace gave a bark of laughter and started backing toward the store. “You hold on to that fantasy, Killkenny. Raisingboys today is a damn lot harder than it was in the ninth century, and by the time your son reaches manhood, you’re going to think Gabriella and Sarah were saints.”
    Trace turned away from the Irishman’s scowl with another laugh and headed into the Shop ’n Save to the sound of the powerful motorcycle roaring out of the parking lot. But he quickly sobered, remembering Fiona’s relief to see him and how good it had made him feel. Dammit to hell, she’d better not think he was going to come to her rescue every time she got into trouble, because he wasn’t . He’d left his hero uniform in Afghanistan, and he sure as hell wasn’t ever putting it on again.
    Not even for a pair of vulnerable golden eyes.
    And that clueless puppy had better not come scratching at his door with its nose full of porcupine quills, either, because he was just as immune to soulful canine eyes.
    Goddamn it, didn’t the woman know she was supposed to ask her landlord if she could have a pet before she brought one home?

Chapter Five

     
    W atching Gabriella disappear up the road on the back of William’s motorcycle, Fiona stood at the bottom of the stairs leading up to her apartment, torn between wanting to run inside and staying to face her landlord like a confident, modern woman. She started walking Misneach around the yard, trying to persuade herself that she wasn’t afraid of Mr. Huntsman and that there wasn’t any reason they couldn’t have a calm, civilized discussion about her owning a pet. But half an hour later, worried he might not be in the mood to hear how having a dog would benefit the both of them, Fiona found herself waiting for him halfway up the stairs.
    Just as soon as she’d sat down, Misneach had flopped down with a doggy sigh and immediately fallen asleep on the step above her, apparently exhausted from all that had happened to him today. The poor little bugger; he must be so confused and frightened and feeling so powerless that falling asleep was his only defense. For didn’t she herself know the horrors of waking up one morning belonging toone master, only to be bartered off before nightfall to another one for a few measly coins?
    “Don’t worry, my little friend,” she whispered, stroking his wavy coat of dust-colored fur. “If Mr. Huntsman says you can’t stay, you have my word of honor that I will not hand you off to another master. I learned all about surviving the elements when I was a hawk, and we’ll just go live in the woods if he won’t let me keep you. You’ll give me courage, and I will give you my loyalty, and together we will make a formidable team.” She kissed the top of his head. “And if by some miracle Mr. Huntsman does agree to let you stay, then you must also become a perfect tenant and do your business in the tall grass and not jump on him with muddy paws. Oh, and no barking when he’s home, as he works very long hours and needs his sleep,” she added in a stern whisper.
    Fiona sat upright when she heard the distinct rumble of her landlord’s pickup turning into the driveway, and that persistent knot in her gut rose into her chest, squeezing her suddenly pounding heart. She stood up, hoping it would help her breathe normally, only to realize that she might appear to be looking down her nose at him. So she sat back down and folded her hands on her lap, again wishing she’d never gone to town.
    But when Misneach gave a soft little puppy snore, Fiona realized that if she hadn’t, there was a good chance he would be in that terrible shelter right now, praying that he could go to sleep and never wake up.
    The old green pickup came to a halt just out of her line of vision, and she heard the engine shut off and the vehicle’s door open and close.
    And