Gypsy Witch Read Online Free PDF Page A

craft.”
    “I choose door number two.”
    “It’s not your choice.”
    “What about Ben?”
    She hardened her heart. “Ben’s an asshole. Don’t repeat that and never use that word.” At a red light, she turned to her child, spearing her with a firm glance for emphasis.
    “Why didn’t he tell the other cops that you’re into each other?”
    Her mouth tightened. “He’s embarrassed by me because I don’t wear a suit and work in an office.”
    “Sheez. Who’d want to do that?”
    She accelerated away from the intersection. “A lot of people do, but not me, and apparently not you.”
    “That’s ’cause we’re gypsies and witches.” Her daughter sounded proud and the pain around Elena’s heart eased a little. She told herself that maybe she wouldn’t have Ben McCulloch, but there were other men around. There always were. Though heartsore, she promised herself that she’d heal, just as she’d healed after Gina’s father had died.
    She had the greatest kid in the world, and Gina made up for everything.
    “That’s right, honey,” Elena said. “And if some stupid ol’ cop can’t accept it, that’s the breaks.”
    * * * * *
     
    There was a knock on the door the next morning at ten, and Elena answered it. Tom stood there, hands nervously twisting in the hem of his T-shirt.
    “I’m sorry about last night,” he said. “Dad can really be a jerk sometimes.”
    “Thank you, but you don’t have to apologize for your father. And you probably shouldn’t be here.” Leaving him, she went inside to find her cell phone. She was still furious and hurt about Ben’s conduct, but wouldn’t come between father and son.
    She called Ben with sharp little stabs of her fingertips. When he answered with a growled “McCulloch,” she said, “Ben, your son is over here. He’s quite welcome, but—”
    “Thanks for your call.” Ben sounded gruff. “Send him home right away, okay?”
    Asshole, she thought and said, “Yes, sir!” without bothering to disguise the contempt in her voice. She hung up on him and told Tom, who’d followed her in, “Sorry, but your father wants you home right away.”
    “So what?” Tom asked. “He treated you like shi—Er, sorry, but he’s off the wall.”
    Uh-oh. Adolescent rebellion starting early. “I won’t help you disobey your father. You have to leave.” She walked to the door and held it open. “Of course, if you happen to bump into Gina at, um, Vic’s eating ice cream, I don’t have anything to say about it if I don’t know about it, right?” She smiled at him. She didn’t see why her daughter had to suffer by the loss of her friend just because his father was a jerk.
    His brow cleared. “Okay!”
    Elena handed Gina enough money for both kids to get a treat, and as Gina followed Tom out she turned and winked at her mother.
    When the phone rang again, it was, to her everlasting surprise, another cop.

Chapter Two
     
    The sheriff’s department Labor Day picnic was a big deal. Everyone—officers and their families—met at a local park to drink beer, eat barbecue and play softball. This year the crowd would include Elena and Gina as guests of Jake Redding, Ben McCulloch’s former partner.
    When he’d phoned, he explained that he’d been present when Elena had defeated the knight and was very curious and interested in the phenomenon. There had been no repercussions, since none of the officers present had wanted to admit that witchcraft had defeated a magical statue that had mysteriously been brought to life. And they hadn’t wanted to endanger their reputations or their status in the department by repeating an unbelievable tale. The injuries and property destruction had been pinned on gang bangers who’d gotten away.
    At noon on Labor Day, Elena opened the door in response to Jake’s knock to see the handsome blond officer in long khaki shorts and a blue T-shirt that was snug enough to show off a lean, muscular torso. She breathed a sigh of relief,