Read Online Witches of Three_Philomena by Temple Hogan - Free Book Online

lively.
    “Emily, I told you not to come in here,” Beck said. He filled the doorway, his eyes bluer than she remembered them, his expression guarded.
    “Today’s the first day I get to have her on my own for the afternoon. I have some wood and things from the lumber company to unload and thought she might like to see where I’m working.”
    “Daddy said you’re pretty and he’s right.”
    “Thank you, and so are you.” Phil darted a glance at Beck and back at the girl, who smiled charmingly. She had Beck’s eyes and a daintier version of his features, but her hair was caramel colored and hung down her back.
    “Are you a witch?”
    “Yes,” Phil said firmly.
    “You must be the good witch of the East,” the diminutive cherub said. “I think I’ll call you Glenda.”
    “Call me Phil. That’s my name. How old are you anyway?”
    The girl held up four chubby fingers.
    “Four going on fourteen,” Beck said with indulgent pride.
    “Oh, daddy,” the girl said and swiveled around to look over the kitchen. “This doesn’t look like a witch’s lair.”
    “I’ve disguised it,” Phil answered and looked at Beck.
    “I hope you don’t mind,” he said.
    “Silly, daddy,” Emily said, walking around. “Of course, she doesn’t mind. Witches like children.”
    “Where did you ever hear that?” Phil asked.
    “Hansel and Gretel,” she replied serenely.
    “But that witch wanted to eat them.”
    “Well, you can’t eat me. Daddy won’t let you.” She wandered into the parlor.
    Phil turned to Beck. “They let you take her without supervision?” she asked and at his nodded, observed. “That’s a step forward for you.”
    “A big step.”
    He was silent for a long moment, his gaze holding hers so intensely, all sorts of sensations flared to life. She wanted to throw off her clothes and roll on the floor with him, but of course, she couldn’t. He couldn’t, not with Emily in the very next room. A thought occurred to her that maybe that was why he’d brought her. He seemed to read her thoughts because he shuffled his feet and gazed at the floor. Color had crept up his neck from his collar.
    “Look, about yesterday,” he began and shifted his weight.
    “I enjoyed yesterday very much,” she said softly.
    His head jerked up so their gazes collided. His eyes blazed with emotion.
    “I did, too,” he answered, almost reluctantly and she wondered why.
    “It had nothing to do with the accusations against you.”
    “I know that. I’ve had time to think about what an ass I was.”
    “Yes.” She smiled to soften her words. “I forgive you.”
    His smile was quick and spontaneous then faded. “I just don’t want you to suffer from your association with me.”
    “I won’t.”
    “You don’t know how people can be—”
    “Yes, I do. I know the things they whisper about me and my sisters in town.” Then she couldn’t resist turning the tables on him. “Maybe that was the reason for yesterday. You wondered what it would be like to get it on with a witch.”
    “What does ‘get it on’ mean?” a piping voice asked and they turned to find Emily standing in the doorway, clutching an old ragdoll that had always been Phil’s favorite.
    “Where did you find that?” Phil asked with a touch of asperity. “Did you go up to my bedroom?”
    “Uh huh,” Emily admitted, swinging her sturdy little body back and forth as if suddenly uncertain about her actions.
    “Emily, you know better than that,” Beck said reproachfully. “Apologize to Phil and give her back her doll.”
    “I’m sorry,” Emily said instantly then smiled. “I like your house, and I was just looking for a toy to play with. Can I play with Trudy, if I’m very careful? Please.”
    “Why did you call her Trudy?”
    Emily giggled. “Because that’s her name? Didn’t you know that?”
    “The question is how did you know that?” Phil asked.
    “Because she told me,” the girl replied. “Can I play with her?”
    “Not now,