Black Flame Read Online Free PDF

pulled a lopsided cake from the oven, leaving half the batter burning on the bottom; couldn’t figure out where the “heart” of an artichoke was located; and sliced his thumb while attempting to remove the skin from a pomegranate. Meanwhile, strange sounds issued from his bedroom and, after Deneen emerged and asked permission to look around for a few extra supplies, continued elsewhere in the bunkhouse and even from outside in the Tar Barn. Jimmy didn’t care for people borrowing his tools, but he was elbow deep in chicken stock and bread crumbs and couldn’t leave his post to supervise Deneen.
    Finally, at a little after five o’clock, he’d managed to invert the cake onto a serving platter, cover the dressing and put it in the fridge, and clean the kitchen. Several cooking implements had either melted or become fused with burnt matter that refused to come off, but Jimmy had done the best he could, returning the items where he’d found them. As he put yesterday’s casserole into the microwave to heat up, the front door opened and Deneen came in, stomping snow from her feet and cradling something in her hands.
    “Wow, it’s really coming down out there!” she said cheerfully.
    “Forgive me for asking, but are those my electrical safety gloves you’re wearing?”
    Deneen looked down at the thin rubber-covered gloves, turning her hands this way and that. “Is that what they are? I have to say, they aren’t terribly warm.”
    Jimmy gritted his teeth in frustration, reminding himself that there was nothing to be gained from becoming contentious with Jayne’s sister. “Perhaps you might consider buying some appropriate cold weather gear,” he said. “I believe most places of commerce will be closed tomorrow, in observation of the holiday, but I understand that the day following Christmas is a popular shopping occasion. And seasonal merchandise may be discounted at that time, so—”
    “Got it,” Deneen said, ducking her chin and looking abashed. She hastily took the gloves off and carefully folded them in half. “I’ll return these as soon as I get warm. I’m sorry I took your stuff.”
    “No, that’s fine, don’t worry—what have you got there, anyway?”
    She peeked up at him, brushing snowflakes from her hair. She looked uncomfortable, but didn’t unfold her hand to reveal what she was holding.
    “Wow, it sure smells…interesting, in here.”
    So she wasn’t going to tell him. Either she was doing something unethical or improper or…oh no, was she intending to surprise him? Were all of her mysterious activities going to culminate in some presentation from which she would expect a reaction he couldn’t possibly guess at?
    “I hate surprises,” Jimmy burst out before he could stop himself. “I mean, just in case you were, that is to say, if by shielding from view the, uh, results of your endeavors…”
    “Oh.” Her lower lip wobbled and she peered between her fingers at whatever she was holding. “It wasn’t going to be a surprise surprise, really. I just, well, I made a few things, for the breakfast tomorrow. It was going to be more of a reveal .”
    “A reveal?”
    “You know, like on HGTV? When they do the home makeovers and the host shows it to the homeowners? Or like when you have your hair highlighted and the hairdresser won’t let you look until he’s done blow drying?”
    “I’ve never had my hair highlighted. And I take it that HGTV is a television channel?”
    He was trying; he really was. But Deneen was looking increasingly woebegone. This was it, the reason that he wasn’t meant to fraternize more than necessary with beautiful women. He always managed to upset them.
    “Look, forget I said anything. Go—do whatever you’re doing, I’m sure it’s, ah, an enhancement. I am preparing dinner, and it should be ready in five minutes.”
    She seemed to brighten a little. “Heavens, I’m starving. Leftovers would be great. I haven’t eaten since before I went to the