mystic caravan mystery 02 - freaky lies Read Online Free PDF Page A

worry about it. I won’t let any demon children get you while you’re sleeping.”
    “You’d better protect me from the clowns, too,” Kade said, narrowing his eyes. “What is that?”
    I followed his outstretched hand with my eyes and focused on the lone item standing above the shuddering stalks in the field. “It’s a scarecrow.”
    “Seriously?” Kade didn’t look thrilled at the prospect. “Have you ever seen Jeepers Creepers ? You think it’s a scarecrow in that movie, too, and it turns out to be a demonic killer.”
    “You definitely watch too many movies,” I said, giggling at his serious expression. “This is farm country. You’re going to have to get used to scarecrows. While we’re at it, this is the circus, so you’re also going to have to get used to clowns.”
    “No, I don’t,” Kade argued. “The clown is dead.”
    “Yes, but we still have other clowns,” I pointed out. “We’re also interviewing some guy this week to take on the open clown position, so odds are we’ll be adding to the clown cadre relatively soon.”
    “Why?” Kade sounded like a whiny child. “Clowns are creepy.”
    “Like scarecrows?”
    “Make fun of me all you want,” Kade said. “I still maintain that clowns and scarecrows are inherently evil. They should both be outlawed.”
    “I’m so glad you’re our head of security,” I teased. “Not only are you handsome and strong, you’re also on top of things when it comes to protecting us from imaginary evil. I don’t know what we did before we had you.”
    “Apparently you went to sleep alone every night,” Kade challenged.
    “Point taken,” I conceded. “I much prefer the new order of things.”
    Kade’s expression softened. “Me too.” He leaned over and gave me a sweet kiss before playfully swatting my rear. “Let’s finish our perimeter sweep and get some dinner. Then I’m going to make you watch Jeepers Creepers so you can understand why scarecrows are just as bad as clowns.”
    “Okay,” I said. “After that I’m going to make you watch Beaches to realize there are scarier things than clowns … like chick flicks.”
    “Oh, the horror!”
    Kade’s mocking tone caused me to wrinkle my nose. “I’ll let the scarecrow eat you if you’re not careful.”
    “As long as it’s not dressed as a clown I’ll take my chances.”

3
    Three
    “ S o what’s on the agenda today?”
    Kade sat at the picnic table the next morning, relaxed and smiling as he sipped his coffee and flashed me flirty looks whenever he thought no one was looking. He appeared well rested and eager to begin a new week at the circus. I couldn’t help but grin. He was still in the heady honeymoon phase of enjoying everything because it was new and exciting. He hadn’t gotten to the part of the job where it felt like work yet.
    “We have set-up work to do,” I replied, wrapping my fingers around my coffee mug. “We have interviews, too.”
    “Interviews for what?”
    “My new man,” Luke replied, sitting across from us and grabbing my coffee to drink while I shot him a dirty look. “Poet promised to help find me a distraction this week. I know you’re used to getting all of her time these days, Security Studmuffin, but she’s mine today.”
    Kade narrowed his eyes, his good mood practically evaporating in an instant. I thought he was going to argue with Luke’s assertion that the amount of time we spent together was excessive. I was wrong. “Don’t call me Security Studmuffin,” he snapped. “I don’t like it.”
    “Do you prefer Safety Sexpot?” Luke challenged, not missing a beat.
    “I prefer Mr. Denton, where you’re concerned.”
    I patted Kade’s knee under the table and fought the urge to laugh. I didn’t think he’d appreciate it, although Luke would be a big fan of the response. “Actually my work for today can coincide with Luke’s plan of action,” I offered. “We have to interview new clowns.”
    Kade made a comical face that made