An Ordinary Fairy (27 page)

I don’t know what you’re expecting, but I’m not stupid. When a gorgeous woman asks you to kiss her, you don’t fool around with just a peck.

Noah took her little face in both his hands and pulled it close. “I’m sorry I said your coffee sucked.” He pressed his lips to hers before she could speak.

Nothing is softer than the lips of the woman you love, and Willow’s were fairy-warm as well. Noah closed his eyes to her bright radiance and inhaled her delightful scent. Their mouths stayed together for
much
longer than a peck; shared sensations and emotions flowed between them. When they parted, they bore the lovers’ smile of secret knowledge. Noah held her face in his hands; she seemed in no hurry to be released.

Willow ended the magic. “I forgive you,” she said, eyes sparkling.

“Do I kiss that badly?” Willow giggled and he joined her, releasing her face to grasp her hands.

“You know our relationship just changed, don’t you?”

“For the better, I think.”

I hope so.

“Let’s make some coffee.”

The mystery of the coffee maker was solved in short order. Willow’s assertion that if they wanted you to use such a small amount of coffee then why did they make the basket so big had some merit, which Noah told her as soon as he was able to stop laughing. Willow had a pot ready in no time.

“Now you’ll have to stay and drink it all,” she said. She had made herself tea and stirred honey into it as she spoke.

“I can stay for while, but I have to work today.”

“Let’s go sit for a few minutes. I have something I want to discuss.”

Once settled on the sofa, Willow’s features filled with excitement. “I’ve been thinking about Chester. He’s terrorized me enough, and probably put a hex on me, so I think it’s time we took some action.” She paused, gauging Noah’s reaction.

Breathe, Noah. It can’t be that bad.

“What do you have in mind?” he asked.

“First, we’ll need to gather information about his activities. We’ll need to get into his house when he’s out and see what we can find out there. Maybe arrange to follow—”

“Wait, wait, wait! What are you saying?”

“We need information,” Willow said. “We need to get it any way we can.”

“By breaking into his house?”

“Absolutely.”

It is that bad. It’s even worse.

Noah shook his head. “Aren’t you worried by the fact it’s
illegal
to break into his house?”

“No. I’ve broken into places before.”

That set Noah back a bit. “You have?”

“Sure. Lots of times. That part of the fairy myth is true. Noah, I told you fairies live an irregular lifestyle. We live secretive, deceptive lives to guard the mystery. Most of us are living on false IDs. We can’t always rely on regular law enforcement to protect us, so sometimes we take matters into our own hands. Usually it’s when we’re fending off Hunters, but there are other situations. Like mine.”

Noah worked on this for a few seconds before responding. She had just raised a thousand questions for an analytical type, nine hundred ninety-five of which related to her past. Willow waited patiently.

She’s learning.

“What do you think you’ll find?” Noah asked.

“
We
will find Chester’s computer. A person’s computer tells their life story. We can see where he browses the Internet, who’s in his email directory, and who he chats with. We can track his interests. If we’re lucky we’ll find incriminating information we can use against him.”

“You don’t mean blackmail?”

“Sure, if we have to, but you’d be surprised what a few well-placed information leaks can do to a person, like Chester’s been doing to me.”

“But you don’t know he’s the source of all your woes.”

“Maybe not, but he’s a bad apple, and I mean to peel him.”

Noah stood and paced. Willow waited for his next question.

“I notice you said ‘we’. I assume you want me to be your partner in crime?”

“Absolutely.”

“And you know how to get past security on his computer?”

“Yep.” Willow interlaced her fingers and cracked her knuckles. “I can do it in two minutes. I designed many of the security measures for the FairyNet, you know.” She beamed with pride.

“Can’t you hack into his PC from here?”

“No. I’ve tried but I can’t find his computer name or IP address anywhere. I’ll need to get my hands on his machine.”

I can’t believe you’re tolerating all these questions.

“When did you plan to carry out this black op?”

“Tonight,” Willow said without hesitation. “During the village board meeting. He’s a member and always attends.”

“Tonight! Are you nuts? How can you come up with a crazy plan like this without thinking it through? Have you thought about what could go wrong? What happens if he comes home early? What if there’s an alarm? What if a neighbor sees us? Does he have a dog?” He paused to catch his breath. “Didn’t fairy school have a class on planning ahead?”

Willow’s face flushed. “No, because no self-respecting fairy would attend. I suppose photographer school didn’t have a class on take a chance and live life to its fullest?”

Noah couldn’t help laughing. Willow bristled.

Oops.

Noah raised his hands. “Don’t get your hackles up. I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing at us. I think we’re trying to fight again.”

Willow relaxed and smiled. “
I’m
not fighting. I’m having a difference of opinion with my fairy friend.”

Noah paced again before stopping in front of the sofa. “And I’m going along to protect you since I have inferior technical skills?” He grinned.

The “P” word should rile you if anything will.

She grinned back. “No, I don’t need anyone to protect me, but I do need a lookout while I work my computer magic.”

Noah sat beside her on the sofa. “So what’s your plan?” he asked.

“We’ll go over tonight about eight thirty and get in.”

“That’s it? ‘Get in.’ How?”

“I don’t know. We’ll work that out when we get to his house.”

Noah sighed and shook his head to clear it.

Willow grinned. “Noah, it’s called an adventure.”

“I don’t need any more adventures. I’ve had one every day since I met you.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Noah drummed his fingers on his knee. “Okay, I’m in.”

“Good! Relax, it’ll be fun!”

“I’m only going to keep you company in jail.”

“Oh, I’m not going to jail.” She conjured an impish grin. “I’ll just wink and be gone.”

I hadn’t thought of that.

He took a drink of his coffee. “Much better this time.” They sipped coffee and tea for a few moments.

“I don’t need your protection, you know,” Willow said.

“You’re picking a fight, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m not!” She pasted on an injured look but those dark eyes twinkled.

“Yes, you are. I think you like to fight.”

“Well … I like the making up part.” They sat in silence again, but Noah could almost hear the wheels spinning in Willow’s little head.

“I’ll prove it to you,” she said.

“Prove what?”

“I don’t need protection. Let’s arm wrestle.”

Noah laughed. “Are you kidding?”

“No, I’m not,” she gritted out, frowning. “Are you afraid I’ll beat you?”

“No, but … well, alright, let’s settle this once and for all.” Willow stood up with an eager expression that said nothing would please her more.

They moved to the kitchen table and sat on opposite sides.

You may think you’re strong, but I can bench press two-fifty.

“You’re arms are short,” Noah said. “This may be a mismatch.”

“I’ll risk it,” she said, and put her elbow on the table. “Open grip.” He nodded and placed his elbow against Willow’s, with her palm resting against the bottom of his hand. The tube top displayed her muscular arms and shoulders.

But you’re so little.

“You say go,” Noah said. Willow waited the proper amount of time to make the competition legal.

“Go!”

A half-second later, Noah’s knuckles smashed into the tabletop.

“Ow!” He massaged his hand. Willow smirked.

How in the…

“You cheated,” Noah said.

“I did not! Do you always say that when you lose?”

Noah frowned at her. “Two out of three. And I’ll say go.”

“Fine.”

Five seconds later Noah’s hand slammed down again.

“Damn it!” He rubbed his fingers again.

Willow wore a smartass grin. “Three out of five?” she asked.

“It’s the leverage. It’s because your arm is so short.”

“Excuse me, but I thought the longer the lever the greater the strength.”

Great. A smartass fairy that understands physics.

“Tell you what,” she said, “I’ll use my left arm backward if you like.”

“No, we do it straight.” Noah put his arm up for another bout. Willow suppressed a grin as she put her arm against his. “Go!”

He got a head start—by cheating—and met Willow’s force. Their arms remained straight up for a few seconds, and then slowly tilted as he gained against her. The veins popped out on his arm and his breath became short. Willow didn’t appear to be straining in the least. She seemed rather amused.

“Getting tired?” she asked. “Maybe we should finish before you use all your energy.” She was gentler this time, and merely forced his arm back until his hand rested on the table. “Four out of seven?” she asked with a bright smile.

“Oh, shut up,” Noah said. “And stop gloating.”

Willow pasted on a serious expression, but her eyes still gleamed. Noah pushed himself up from the table and walked into the front room, with Willow right behind.

You’re cute even when you’re irritating.

He faced her and they broke into laughter.

“Good grief, you whipped my butt,” Noah said. “How much can you bench press?”

Willow shrugged. “I don’t know, I don’t work out or anything.” She hesitated, her face sheepish. “I think I could lift you … with one arm. Does that bother you?”

“Well, I do feel a little inferior. You’re stronger than I am, you can see in the dark, you’re a whiz at computers, you can fly. Shoot, you even eat more than me.”

“Oh, Noah, no.” She rubbed her hands on his chest. “Don’t think that, please. Fairies have some powers, sure, but we’re just ordinary people. Most of us are introverted snobs who don’t know how to act around people. You’re kind and considerate and thoughtful. Don’t feel that way.”

Noah regarded her quietly.
I would have never dreamed the first time I saw this sweet little person she would turn out to be a knuckle-cracking, butt-kicking fairy.

“At least I’m taller.”

“And always will be.” Willow laid her head on his chest. “Still friends?”

I’m not sure anymore. That kiss changed things.

He tousled her hair with both hands. “Still friends. But this friend needs to get out of here and get some work done.”

“Okay. Pick me up at the missing sign at eight fifteen. Wear dark clothes and a stocking cap if you have one. No ski mask, of course.”

Noah nodded and drained his coffee. He put on his shoes and retrieved his hat and coat. Willow opened the door and gate and they went outside.

“Wait,” Noah said. “When are we going to explore the basement at the Big House? That was supposed to be our next project, to see if there’s an entrance to the cave.”

“I forgot. How long do you need to work today? Could we do it this evening before our secret mission?”

“I’m going down around Potomac. There are three ponds and my editor wants me to shoot the river while I’m there. I could be back by five or a little after.”

“Good! I’ll have something to eat ready and that will still give us a couple of hours.”

“Sounds good.”

“So long, Cowboy.”

Noah rolled his hips forward, hooked his thumbs in his jeans, and used his best John Wayne voice. “Adios, little lady.”

Willow giggled and waved him away.

Conscious of running late, Noah walked as fast as he could to the truck. He pulled his keys out as he arrived and started to unlock the door.

I should have kissed Willow goodbye.

Loud buzzing sounded behind him about the same time amusement grew in his heart. Willow zoomed toward him just above the path in Supergirl mode, flying lying down, so to speak. She flew straight to him, shifted to standing position and stopped, hovering at arm’s length with a happy smile. She put her hands on his shoulders.