The Charm Stone Read Online Free PDF Page A

her independence, and had from somewhere around the age of six, but right now she was shamelessly relieved he was here.
    Bagan sighed. “I'm tellin’ ye lass, only you and the laird can see me.”
    She ignored him and all but yanked the door off its hinges before realizing it was still latched. From the inside. She didn't even bother puzzling over that. She popped the hook free and flung herself into her dad's arms. “I'm so glad you're here.”
    “Whoa, baby.” Big Griff stumbled back a step, before setting her back so he could look at her. “What's wrong?”
    Josie took a deep breath, wondering where in the hell to start. A quick glance showed that Bagan was sitting on her porch table. He waved and swung his feet. Probably she should start with the kilt-wearing midget since her dad might have a few questions about that.
    “It's been a… crazy day.”
The key word being crazy.
She turned toward Bagan and said, “Dad, this is—”
    But her father was still looking at her and didn't seem to even notice they had company. He turned her back around and took a close look at her forehead. “Board bit ya, did it?” He pulled her into his big arms again for a gentle hug. “I'm sorry, kitten. I should have been with you.” He set her back again, his perpetual grin returning. “Bet that one made you see stars.”
    “More like dwarves,” she muttered beneath her breath, not as consoled by his perpetual sunniness as she usually was. “I cleaned it up, I'll live.”
    “Of course you will,” he said. “You've got a rock-hard noggin like your old man. Listen, why don't wego inside so you can sit down and get comfortable while I tell you all about Finola.”
    “Finola?” she asked, but he was already ushering her inside, right past Bagan, who winked at her as she passed. She stuck her tongue out at him, then bumped into her dad when he stopped right inside the door.
    “What happened in here?”
    “I left a pot on the stove too long. Listen, Dad,” she said, intent on telling him what had happened this morning, then stopped. If he truly couldn't see Bagan then how could she possibly explain-
    “Hey, what's this?” Griff nodded at the necklace.
    “That's what I wanted to tell you about.” Josie darted a look out the screen door. Bagan was still sitting there, poking through some fossils. She turned to her dad and took the necklace off, then darted a look at the porch. No Bagan. She felt her knees go a bit woozy. This was all too much to deal with.
    “Whoa there, kitten.” Her dad caught her, took the necklace from her, and laid it on her kitchen table before helping her to the living room and settling her on the couch. “You really took a good whack there, you're pale as a ghost.” He nudged her back against the cushions, then yanked an afghan off the back and tossed it over her, pulling at it here and there. “Can I get you something to drink or anything?” he asked a bit uncertainly. “You want an ice pack for that?”
    Her dad was adorable when he was flustered. He meant well and always wanted the best for her, but nurturing in the traditional ways had always been a bit awkward for him. She knew she could count on him for anything, anywhere, anytime, but, growing up, she'd probably done most of the traditional care-taking. She'd never minded, including now. Asmixed up and confused as she was, having him hover about made her feel better.
    “I'm okay.” Which was a total lie, but she decided she didn't want to talk about the necklace, the trunk, much less the disappearing dwarf on her porch. She smiled and tried not to wince at the accompanying twinge across her forehead. “Tell me all about this Finola and I'll be even better. Sounds like something good came out of this meeting, huh?”
    Her father still looked a bit worried, but was relieved enough at being let off the nursing hook to trust her judgment. He sat down across from her, apparently having forgotten all about the necklace. The excitement