Witchy Sour(27)

“Really.” Ranger X raised an eyebrow. “So you have clearance to be in here, then?”

Poppy grinned like a lunatic while Zin wore a scowl on her face that’d have a lesser man shaking in his boots. Hettie licked her lips as she stared up at Ranger X’s tall form. Meanwhile, I watched it all like a dork.

Ranger X wore a suit made of the finest materials money could buy. The fabric begged my hands to touch the sleeves, to run my fingers over its soft contours. The man inside the suit was just as impressive.

With eyes like black diamonds and hair curling into a wavy, matching shade of darkness, the only thing cheerful about him was the twinkle in his eye, and the soft curve of his lips. When he crossed his arms, the jacket moved with him like a suit of armor.

“You look fancy,” Hettie said, breaking the silence. “Did someone die?”

Ranger X looked stunned for a moment, and then gave a low, throaty chuckle. “No, not that I’m aware.”

“You never wear a suit,” Hettie pointed out. She hauled herself to her feet and took a few steps closer to the man, sizing him up as if she were a seamstress about to tailor his clothes. “What’s the big deal?”

Ranger X cocked his head to the side and studied my pint-sized grandmother. “I’m in the office. We dress nicely here.”

“You normally wear those jeans that give your rear end a really nice shape. At least, when you’re out and about that is.” She circled Ranger X, stopping directly behind him and staring at said butt. “You know, I suppose this isn’t all that bad either. Can I touch it?”

“No!” the three of us girls chorused. “Hettie, stop it. This is a professional workplace.”

“What’s the point of working hard if you can’t have a little fun?” Hettie eyed Ranger X’s backside again like it was a particularly juicy apple. Then with a sigh full of rattling frustration, she shook her head. “Fine. Lily, give it a poke and let me know how it feels.”

“No!” My face burned. “I’m not...we’re not...Hettie,” I chided. “Stop being inappropriate.”

“I’m old and senile. I can say whatever I want.”

Ranger X cleared his throat. “Then tell me what brings you ladies here today.”

“Well, uh, I wanted to visit Poppy,” I said. “I had the day off from the bungalow, and I’d never been here before.”

A flash of recognition blitzed through his eyes as I mentioned the shop closing early. “And that led to you hiding from the director...how?”

“You know Zin is training for the Ranger trials,” Hettie said. “I want to be her instructor.”

Ranger X waited patiently.

“You know how grandkids can get,” Hettie said, twirling her hand in the air in front of her body. “Difficult.”

“I actually know nothing about that,” Ranger X deadpanned. “Since we’re not allowed families.”

“Well, they’re difficult, I tell ya. They think they’re on top of the world.”

“Is that right?”

“Darn tootin’,” Hettie said. She thumbed in Zin’s direction. “This one thought I didn’t know boo about being a Ranger, so I came in here to show her my statue.”

Ranger X glanced over his shoulder, his gaze falling briefly on the army-sized figurine behind him. “I see.”

“Then the director waltzed his way in here, not even minding his own business. So we hid.”

“Why didn’t you just walk out?”

“What’s the fun in that?” Hettie raised her arms above her head. “I’m old. I’m gonna die soon. Are you really gonna deny me fun in my final years? What if this was the last fun thing I got to do here on earth? I’m bonding with my grandbabies, you know. They’re gonna look back on this moment fondly.”

“As am I,” Ranger X muttered. Then he mumbled words that sounded like crazy and nutcase, or something along those lines. I didn’t blame him much. “Do you plan to creep around the building for the rest of the day, or would you like me to show you out?”

“Nah, I’ve had my fill of creeping for today,” Hettie said. “I’m hungry. Girls, are you ready to go?”

Cautiously Poppy stood, followed closely by Zin. I joined them, hooking my arm through my grandmother’s so she wouldn’t get lost. Again.

Then Hettie surprised me by twirling out of my grasp. She danced over to Ranger X, her little fists circling in front of her face like a boxer. “Come on, Ranger X. Let’s duel. I can tell Zin’s not convinced about my strength from that statue.”