“Can I try it?” I asked.
“Only if you’re careful,it’s vintage.” Ryla whispered that last part. A small snort from behind me had me betting it was Polly who’d given her daughter the same instructions in the past.
My attention snagged on an open toy bin next to the dollhouse that had a feather boa looped over the edge.
“What’s in there?” No sooner had I asked, than Ryla was up and heading to the chest, grabbing the boa and what looked like a pirate hat and a foam sword.
“Wanna play dress-up with me?”
I tapped my chin, making it seem like I was hesitating when really, this was right up my alley.
“I’ll play on two conditions: I get to be a pirate, and Max has to play, too.”
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, I was on my knees, palms up, begging for my life as Ryla the Terrible held a foam sword to my throat. My first mate, Max, stood begrudgingly at my side as Polly straightened up the room, watching us out of the corner of her eye with a smile.
“If you please, sir, I am but a lowly pirate, sailing the seven seas since me birth. Have mercy!” I pleaded in my best pirate accent. “At least save my pet snake, Slither-me-Timbers is innocent!” I added, stroking the feather boa looped around my neck.
Ryla narrowed her eyes as she looked down the sight of her sword. “Quiet! Or you walk the plank!”
I was ten shades of impressed at her acting prowess. Sienna and Rae were going to get a huge kick out of her.
“What in the world is that?” I pointed behind Ryla, who, being six, fell for the oldest trick in the book. After looking behind her, I popped to my feet and retrieved the foam sword I’d “dropped” on the floor earlier.
“Ah-ha!” I cried, swiping the sword left and right as Ryla whipped her head back to me, her expression filling with outrage. We weaved around each other, Max jumping out of the way as our foam blades bopped against each other. In a solid move, my swashbuckling opponent feigned left, making me weave right just as she stabbed me through the chest (or in this case, my armpit) screaming, “Die, pirate scum!”
I heard a choked gasp from the reading nook, but I didn’t look over to Polly. I was giving it my all, clutching at the boa around my neck, making choking and gasping noises as I fell to the floor.
“Avenge me!” I cried out to Max, who, if I didn’t know any better, was fighting a smile.
My head and arms went slack, and I closed my eyes. After a few seconds, I felt a light kick to my foot. I snapped my eyes open. “Hey, no fair! Kickin’ a man when they’re down!” I teased, making Ryla and Max erupt into giggles.
After I got up, Ryla, Max, and I were greeted by clapping from our audience of one, who bestowed us with one of her real smiles.
We all took turns giving a bow. After bringing my hat to my chest and bending over low, I snuck a glance at the still cheering Polly. She wasn’t looking at me like I was a kid. Like I was some aimless, career-less guy, good for a fun time, not a long time.
She was looking at me like I was good enough, just being myself.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
POLLY
“Compromise is a way for both sides to lose politely. I do not lose, and if I do, it’s never polite.”
Her eyes were smoke and intrigue in the rearview mirror.
“So, in answer to your question, no. I won’t be taking off your handcuffs.”
American Thighsby Lady Jane
Narrated by Brittney Houston
“Are you dusting?”
A sudden voice made me drop my dust rag and yelp as I flattened myself against the bookshelf I’d been dusting.
Jace was standing in the doorway of the library, a curious look on his face.
