Five O’Clock Shadow Read Online Free PDF Page B

see how upset she was.
    â€œMaybe a half-dozen. Snake acts are a big draw. Bigger the snake, bigger the audience. We own the world’s record reticulated python. Eighteen feet. Can you believe that? Actually, there are a couple real doozys out there.”
    â€œOut there” must mean the garage. One place that Pauly would make off-limits. But her wondering was interrupted when Grams jolted to a stop in front of the house and stepped out to yell at a tall, lanky, not-so-young kid who was loping across the yard.
    â€œHarry, put this snake back where it belongs. This poor critter was almost road-kill. I’ve told you to keep an eye out.” The young man walked towards them, followed the wave of Grams’ hand and opened the back car door, nodded at Pauly but didn’t say anything, just scooped up the snake, tucked it inside his shirt, and headed towards the garage.
    â€œDo you understand what I’m telling you?” Grams yelled after the disappearing man. “I told you to watch them. Keep those cage-lids tight.” There was no response and the nearest garage door thudded shut.
    â€œCome on, let’s get you into the house. The quicker we get you settled in, the better you’ll feel.”
    Pauly acknowledged that that was probably true, and she was ready for any change of scenery after a week of white walls. And she had to admit it was comforting to see her own bed, loveseat, TV, end tables.… She gave her grandmother a hug. It had been a thoughtful thing to do.
    â€œNow, enough of this mush. Dinner in half an hour.” Grams walked to the door then turned. “Sweety, it’ll be just great having you here,” and with a little wave was gone.
    ***
    Dinner was strained. No, strange, Pauly thought. The big oak island in the center of the cobalt and yellow tiled kitchen overflowed with the fixings for tacos. It was a do-it-yourself meal. Go around the table single-file, fill your plate, then adjourn to the plank tables in the dining room. Buffet-style was probably the best way to feed the crowd gathered in the large kitchen. Sometimes the personnel from one of Grams’ carnivals stayed for a month or so before traveling on, and Pauly couldn’t keep her eyes off of the man beside her. Definitely carny material.
    Every inch of his body, at least what was exposed, was covered with tattoos. The bicep on the arm next to her was large enough to show a complete sketch of the rape of Europa, bull and maiden frolicking among clouds, then the bull mounting.… She bent down slightly to see the completion of the coupling which curved under the elbow. Suddenly the arm flexed to give her a better view. She sprang upright realizing that her face was probably flame-orange and managed to stammer, “J-just curious. Actually, they’re really well done.” And willed herself to try to regain lost ground by referring to it as body-art and appear to be a connoisseur and not a lech.
    â€œGlad you like it.”
    Looking upward, she paused at the sight of inked tendrils that licked up his neck.
    â€œNice stuff on the neck.” She waved her fork in the general direction of the tendrils. Art, she admonished herself, refer to it as art.
    â€œGuaranteed camouflage for hickeys. Every teenager’s dream.”
    Shit. She’d left herself wide open for that. But she realized his eyes were teasing; this wasn’t some kind of pick-up line and she relaxed, even managed a little smile as she distributed the lettuce across the top of the taco shell. She had moved on to the grated cheese before she realized that she was staring at the man again, watching as he filled a bowl with green chili stew.
    The man was startlingly handsome. Once you got past Europa and the other doo-dads. Bodybuilder’s physique, dark hair combed straight back, high cheekbones, dusty gray eyes, long lashes, permanent tan, could be her age or maybe early thirties. He was probably part of a