Page 35 of Down and Dirty

“What does that say?” Britta asked, pointing to a banner that had been draped across the bay window in front. She seemed to have no trouble understanding the spoken language here but apparently could not read. Yet.

He smiled and squeezed her to his side. “Welcome, Britta.”

“Well, ’tis past time you offered me welcome to your country. And keep your tempting fingers to yourself.”

He kept his tempting fingers right where they were, pressing against the bare, warm skin of her exposed waist, and smiled. “Not me, honey. That’s what the banner says. Welcome, Britta.”

“Huh?”

Just then, Sammy came up to him, having been released from his car seat by one of the guys. Adjusting the matching Polo for Kids shorts outfit Zach’s mother had bought for him, complete with its very own mini-golf shirt, Sammy said, “I look like a dork.”

“A cute dork,” Cage remarked.

“Bite me!” Sammy replied. “Everyone’s gonna laugh at me.”

“No, they’re not,” JAM said. “They’re gonna pinch your cheeks and tell you what a handsome little fella you are.”

The guys were not helping at all, which was probably their intent.

Sammy snarled and narrowed his eyes.

Zach recognized the crafty gleam in the kid’s eyes, which presaged his bolting to parts unknown, like the proverbial roadrunner. Quickly, he grabbed him by the belt of his shorts with his free hand, then wrapped the same arm around his waist, lifting him off the ground.

Thus it was that when he emerged at the back of the house, he had Britta tucked against his one side and Sammy tucked on the other side, his little sandals two feet off the ground, his little butt in the air, his arms and legs flailing wildly.

“SURPRISE!” the crowd yelled. And they looked as surprised at the picture the three of them must have made as Britta was at the dozen or so people waiting for them.

There were people in the crowd Britta knew but hadn’t seen for years. They’d gathered to welcome her to… California. A surprise!

Britta claimed to be okay with where she’d landed in Coronado, but she had to be feeling lost. Zach’s heart ached for her. This party had been the only thing he could think of to help her.

“Smile, you two,” he told his two human appendages.

Under her breath, Britta said, “I am going to kill you.”

“Kin I help?” Sammy asked.

Chapter 7

Hail, hail, the gang’s all here…

“Good tidings, Britta! Welcome to Ah-mare-eek-ah!”

“Didja bring yer big-ass sword? Ha, ha, ha!”

“Has Pretty Boy lured you into his bed furs yet? Ouch, why did you elbow me, Alison?”

“Give the lady some room, fellas. Remember me, Britta? Torolf. C’mere, Britta baby, and give me a big ol’ wet kiss.”

“Mind your manners, husband.”

“How does The Sanctuary fare?”

“Oooh, Britta, you look hot, hot, hot.”

“Forsooth, give the lady room to breathe.”

Zachary had released his hold on her shoulders and squeezed her hand, letting her know he was still beside her. For once, she welcomed his presence.