4th Wish Read Online Free PDF Page B

... people."
    Shrugging, I said, “Well, the room's yours if you want it."
    She seemed thoughtful for some moments.
    "How long is ‘a while’ to you, Ed?"
    "As long as it turns out to be, Jaline. I don't really believe you need a room, y'know, but it's about all I can offer you. That and company. The wishes are done. Now it would just be a matter of being with someone who wouldn't try to make you do things; who wouldn't try to control you.” Sipping my coffee, I added, “And everybody should have at least one person in his or her life who doesn't want a damned thing from them except a bit of friendly company. If you don't feel right about staying—or can't stay, for whatever reason—or if you stay a while, then leave, you could still visit now and then. I'd like that a lot.” Gesturing at the cats, I said, “ We'd like that."
    Jaline set Moocher on the other chair and stood up as she softly said, “Ed, I'm almost six thousand years old. You're a little young for me."
    Grinning, I said, “Oh, gee, let me try to dig up something witty. 'You don't look a day over four thousand, ma'am!' "
    "How cute,” she said dryly, but with a smirk of her own.
    "Big numbers don't scare me, milady. You're smart and you're gorgeous and I'd be honored to share your company."
    Mock-sighing exasperation, she said, “You can stop now."
    Taking her hand, I said, “Oh, only if you wish it, milady,” and gave her time to chuckle again before I said, “But be warned; if you decide to stay, you'll probably be hearing things like that fairly often."
    She tilted her head slightly and wryly asked, “What happened to not wanting anything from me?"
    "All right; amend that to 'nothing that you won't willingly offer' . How's that? If you don't offer, that won't make you any less welcome."
    "Won't having me here somewhat cripple your chances of finding another girlfriend?"
    I shrugged. “Oh, sure, but probably not forever. You'd get tired of all the compliments sooner or later."
    Laughing, Jaline asked, “What if I didn't?"
    "No biggie. We'd figure something out. Besides, don't you want to stay and watch me figure out how to use my new talents? That might be pretty funny at times."
    Moocher didn't like being ignored. Standing on the edge of the chair's seat, he leaned as far as possible toward Jaline's dangling right hand and teetered there precariously, trying to make contact. When his paw touched her hand, Jaline startled slightly and Mooch lost his balance, toppling forward.
    He fell a few inches before floating upward and into Jaline's arms, where his loud, happy purring began immediately. Jaline chuckled and stroked Mooch for a few moments in silence, then looked up at me and smiled.
    "Okay. You've convinced me. I'll stay for a while , Ed.” She raised an emphatic index finger and said, “But it will be a while as I choose to define it; no longer than that."
    Grinning at her, I said, “Jaline, I'll bet one of the diamonds in that bag that your definition of ‘a while’ won't be long enough to suit me.” Nodding at Moocher, who was nuzzling her chin with his face, I added, “ Us , that is."
End 4th Wish
* * * *
Abintra Press titles
are available at
Fictionwise.com!
* * * *
Science Fiction
"3rd World Products, Inc., Book 1"
"3rd World Products, Inc., Book 2"
"3rd World Products, Inc., Book 3"
"3rd World Products, Inc., Book 4"
"3rd World Products, Inc., Book 5"
"3rd World Products, Inc., Book 6"
"3rd World Products, Inc., Book 7"
"3rd World Products, Inc., Book 8"
"3rd World Products, Inc., Book 9"
"3rd World Products, Inc., Book 10"
"3rd World Products, Inc., Book 11"
"3rd World Products, Inc., Book 12"
"ANSEN"
"Assignment: ATLANTA"
(A Sandy Shield Novel!)
"Bitten and Smitten” (Vampires!)
"HUNT CLUB” (More Vampires!)
"In Service to a Goddess, Book 1"
"In Service to a Goddess, Book 2"
"In Service to a Goddess, Book 3"
"In Service to a Goddess, Book 4"
"In Service to a Goddess, Book 5"
"STARDANCER"
* * *