Page 73 of Charmed
“Could never refuse you anything,” he muttered. Then he turned glittering eyes on Boone. “But you watchyour step, mister.” He jabbed out a plump finger. “You mess with one Donovan, you mess with them all.” With a sniff, he went inside.
“I’m sorry,” Ana began, fixing a bright smile on her face. “He’s very protective.”
“So I gathered.” Since he wasn’t going to have to defend himself after all, he could think of nothing to do with his hands but shove them in his pockets. “I wanted to—we wanted to say merry Christmas.”
“Yes, Jessie just did.” They were silent for another awkward moment. “You’re welcome to come in, have some wassail.”
“I don’t want to intrude. Your family …” He offered what almost passed for a grin. “I don’t want to risk my life, either.”
Even the faint smile faded from her eyes. “He wouldn’t really have harmed you. It’s not our way.”
“I didn’t mean …” What the hell was he supposed to say to her? “I don’t blame him for being upset, and I don’t want to make you or your family uncomfortable. If you’d rather, I could just …” He turned slightly, and the sign on her lawn caught his eye. His temper rose accordingly. “What the hell is that?”
“Isn’t it clear enough? I’m selling the house. I’ve decided to go back to Ireland.”
“Ireland? You think you can just pack up and move six thousand miles away?”
“Yes, I do. Boone, I’m sorry, but dinner’s nearly ready, and I really have to go in. Of course, you’re welcome to join us.”
“If you don’t stop being so bloody polite, I’m going to—” He cut himself off again. “I don’t want dinner,” he said between his teeth. “I want to talk to you.”
“This isn’t the time.”
“We’ll make it the time.”
He backed her through the doorway just as Sebastian came down the hall behind her. Placing a light hand on Ana’s shoulder, he sent Boone a warning glance. “Is there a problem here, Anastasia?”
“No. I invited Boone and Jessie for dinner, but he isn’t able to join us.”
“Pity.” Sebastian’s smile glittered with malice. “Well, then, if you’ll excuse us, Sawyer.”
Boone slammed the door behind him, causing all the ruckus inside to switch off like a light. Several pairs of eyes turned their way. He was too furious to note that Sebastian’s were now bright with amusement.
“Stay out of my way,” Boone said quietly. “Each and every one of you. I don’t care who you are, or what you are.” More than ready to fight a fleet of dragons, he grabbed Ana’s hand. “You come with me.”
“My family—”
“Can damn well wait.” He yanked her back outside.
From her perch under the Christmas tree, Jessie stared wide-eyed after them. “Is Daddy mad at Ana?”
“No.” Happy enough about what she’d seen to burst at the seams, Maureen gave the little girl a squeeze. “I think they’ve just gone off to take care of another Christmas present for you. One I think you’ll like best of all.”
***
Outside, Ana labored to keep up. “Stop dragging me, Boone.”
“I’m not dragging you,” he said as he dragged her through the side yard.
“I don’t want to go with you.” She felt the tears she’d thought she was finished with stinging her eyes. “I’m not going through this again.”
“You think you can put up a stupid sign in your yard and solve everything?” Guided by moonlight, he tugged her down the rock steps that led to the beach. “Drop a bombshell on my head, then take off for Ireland?”
“I can do exactly as I please.”
“Witch or no witch, you’d better think that one over again.”
“You wouldn’t even talk to me.”
