Lifestyles of the Witch & Famous Read Free

“Look, calm down, we can have the jet hosed out later, okay? Just catch the bird, put it back in its cage, and send them up here.” The drumming stopped, and the frown returned. “Don’t tell me ‘easier said than done.’ Use a butterfly net if you have to… No, on the bird , you moron, not the kids… Right, and have Hanson bring them to the poolroom. At least there we won’t have to worry about replacing the carpet if the dog has any more accidents.”
    The conversation continued another moment while Tyler listened with the fist in his stomach gripping tighter and tighter. Three boys and their pets… What had he been thinking bringing them here? He was way out of his element with this scene, and Barry was right. Again. Tyler was a fuss-budget. He liked things clean, neat, orderly. Kids and animals usually meant the opposite. Already he could hear the clatter of his well-structured world toppling around him. He was in deep doo-doo, and he knew it.
    He looked at the photo on his desk – saw the smile of a blond angel – and knew also that he had no other choice. Tyler wanted these kids, whatever the cost. They were all he had left of Steve.
    The end of the phone call brought his gaze back to Barry. “So…” He was almost afraid to ask. “Is everything okay?”
    Barry gave his characteristic shrug. “Could be worse. It seems your nephews, um, redecorated the jet, but nothing that can’t be fixed. They’re creative kids, invented a new game on the way. ‘Hijacker,’ they called it. Took Ms. Patton hostage and demanded the pilot change course for Disney World.” He chuckled.
    Tyler didn’t. Naturally the boys would prefer a trip to the Magic Kingdom over an uncle they didn’t know from Adam. He couldn’t possibly have hoped they’d be looking forward to meeting him , now could he?
    “Well, at least that explains why she quit.” He forced a smile. “What else?” There had to be more.
    “Not much.” Barry leaned back against the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. “Just a little excitement in unloading. One of the twins let the Myna bird out of its cage. Fluffy chased it, then Fang chased him and ended up taking on all comers when they tried to stop him. Everything’s cool now though. No real damage done.”
    Thank God…
    Tyler rubbed his temples again. His headache was rolling into overdrive. “It’s a miracle no one was killed. That’s a big dog, isn’t it? A St. Bernard? And with a name like ‘Fang’…”
    Chills ran down his spine. Was it too late to send the beast to obedience school? He was damned if he’d risk his nephews with a vicious dog. Why had anyone let the kids have an animal like that anyway?
    And why the hell was Beanpole laughing so hard? Tyler glared at him, and the man laughed harder.
    “No, no, you got it wrong,” Barry choked out between guffaws. “ Fluffy is the dog. Fang is the cat .”
    Of course. He should have realized that. Everyone knew cats chased dogs.
    A dull thud sounded as Tyler’s forehead hit the polished surface of his desk. Why did the boys want to visit a theme park when they had a three-ring circus right here?
    With a deep sigh, he hauled upright in his chair, pushed it back, and rose to his feet. It was time to meet his new wards. High time. Hiding up here didn’t help a damn thing. The longer he delayed, the worse he’d feel. He’d delayed too many years as it was. One last time he glanced at the photo in the little gold frame, and made a silent vow.
    I’ll give them a good life, Steve, I swear. They’ll have it better than we did. I’ll give them everything, the best money can buy.
    A well-meant promise, and one he could certainly afford to keep.
    So why did he have a godawful feeling it wouldn’t be nearly enough?
    Barry followed him to the door. “One other thing… Molly Leigh wants to talk to you. Privately.”
    Leigh? Again? The woman who’d been his brother’s housekeeper or babysitter, or whatever the hell she was?