Charmed Read Free Page A

had been like being dragged by an undertow when you were fighting to get to shore.
    Well, it had been a long time, he reminded himself as he watched a gull glide toward the water. A healthy reaction to a beautiful woman was easily justified and explained. And beautiful she’d been, in a calm, classic manner that was the direct opposite of his violent response to her. He couldn’t help but resent it. He didn’t have the time or inclination for any kind of reaction to any kind of woman.
    There was Jessie to think of.
    Reaching into his pocket, he took out a cigarette, lit it, hardly aware he was staring across the lawn at the hedge of delicate roses.
    Anastasia, he thought. The name certainly suited her. It was old-fashioned, elegant, unusual.
    “Daddy!”
    Boone jolted, as guilty as a teenager caught smoking in the boys’ room by the high school principal. He cleared his throat and gave his pouting daughter a sheepish grin.
    “Give your old man a break, Jess. I’m down to half a pack a day.”
    She folded her arms. “They’re bad for you. They make your lungs dirty.”
    “I know.” He tamped the cigarette out, unable to take even a last drag when those wise little eyes were judging him. “I’m giving them up. Really.”
    She smiled—it was a disconcertingly adult sure-you-are smile—and he jammed his hands into his pockets. “Give me a break, Warden,” he said in a passable James Cagney imitation. “You ain’t putting me in solitary for snitching one drag.”
    Giggling, already forgiving him for the lapse, she came over to hug him. “You’re silly.”
    “Yeah.” He cupped his hands under her elbows and lifted her up for a hearty kiss. “And you’re short.”
    “One day I’m going to be big as you.” She wrapped her legs around his waist and leaned back until she was upside down. It was one of her favorite pastimes.
    “Fat chance.” He held her steady as her hair brushed the deck. “I’m always going to be bigger.” He pulled her up again, lifting her high and making her squeal with laughter. “And smarter, and stronger.” He rubbed the stubble of his beard against her while she wriggled and shrieked. “And better-looking.”
    “And ticklish!” she shouted in triumph, digging her fingers into his ribs.
    She had him there. He collapsed on the bench with her. “Okay, okay! Uncle!” He caught his breath, and caught her close. “You’ll always be trickier.”
    Pink-cheeked, bright-eyed, she bounced on his lap. “I like our new house.”
    “Yeah?” He smoothed her hair, as always enjoying the texture of it under his palm. “Me, too.”
    “After dinner, can we go down to the beach and look for seals?”
    “Sure.”
    “Daisy, too?”
    “Daisy, too.” Already experienced with puddles on the rug and chewed-up socks, he glanced around. “Where is she?”
    “She’s taking a nap.” Jessie rested her head against her father’s chest. “She was very tired.”
    “I bet. It’s been a big day.” Smiling, he kissed the top of Jessie’s head, felt her yawn and settle.
    “My favorite day. I got to meet Ana.” Because her eyes were heavy, she closed them, lulled by the beating of her father’s heart. “She’s nice. She’s going to show me how to plant flowers.”
    “Hmm.”
    “She knows all their names.” Jessie yawned again, and when she spoke again her voice was thick with sleep. “Daisy licked her face and she didn’t even mind. She just laughed. It sounded pretty when she did. Like a fairy,” Jessie murmured as she drifted off.
    Boone smiled again. His daughter’s imagination. His gift to her, he liked to think. He held her gently while she slept.
    *  *  *
    Restless, Ana thought as she strolled along the rocky beach at twilight. She simply wasn’t able to stay inside, working with her plants and herbs, when she was dogged by this feeling of restlessness.
    The breeze would blow it out of her, she decided, lifting her face to the moist wind. A nice long walk and she’d