Part 44 (1/2)
”Mr. Donovan.” Boone tried again, dodging the peppery blows. ”I don't want to hurt you.”
”Hurt me! Hurt me!” Padrick was dancing now, fueled by the insult. His Santa cap slipped over his eyes. ”Why, I could turn your insides out. I could give you the head of a badger. I could-”
”Papa!” With one sharp word, Ana stopped her father's babbling threats.
”You go on inside, princess. This is man's work.”
”I won't have you fighting on my doorstep on Christmas Eve. Now you stop it.”
”Just let me send him to the North Pole. Just for an hour or two. It's only fitting.”
”You'll do no such thing.” She stepped out and put a warning hand on his shoulder. ”Now go inside and behave, or I'll have Morgana deal with you.”
”Bah! I can handle a witch half my age.”
”She's sneaky.” Ana pressed a kiss to his cheek. ”Please, Papa. Do this for me.”
”Could never refuse you anything,” he muttered. Then he turned glittering eyes on Boone. ”But you watch your step, mister.” He jabbed out a plump finger. ”You mess with one Donovan, you mess with them all.” With a sniff, he went inside.
”I'm sorry,” Ana began, fixing a bright smile on her face. ”He's very protective.”
”So I gathered.” Since he wasn't going to have to defend himself after all, he could think of nothing to do with his hands but shove them in his pockets. ”I wanted to-we wanted to say merry Christmas.”
”Yes, Jessie just did.” They were silent for another awkward moment.
”You're welcome to come in, have some wa.s.sail.”
”I don't want to intrude. Your family-” He offered what almost pa.s.sed for a grin. ”I don't want to risk my life, either.”
Even the faint smile faded from her eyes. ”He wouldn't really have harmed you. It's not our way.”
”I didn't mean-” What the h.e.l.l was he supposed to say to her? ”I don't blame him for being upset, and I don't want to make you or your family uncomfortable. If you'd rather, I could just-” He turned slightly, and the sign on her lawn caught his eye. His temper rose accordingly. ”What the h.e.l.l is that?”
”Isn't it clear enough? I'm selling the house. I've decided to go back to Ireland.”
”Ireland? You think you can just pack up and move six thousand miles away?”
”Yes, I do. Boone, I'm sorry, but dinner's nearly ready, and I really have to go in. Of course, you're welcome to join us.”
”If you don't stop being so b.l.o.o.d.y polite, I'm going to-” He cut himself off again. ”'I don't want dinner,'' he said between his teeth. ”I want to talk to you.”
”This isn't the time.”
”We'll make it the time.”
He backed her through the doorway just as Sebastian came down the hall behind her. Placing a light hand on Ana's shoulder, he sent Boone a warning glance. ”Is there a problem here, Anastasia?”
”No. I invited Boone and Jessie for dinner, but he isn't able to join us.”
”Pity.” Sebastian's smile glittered with malice. ”Well, then, if you'll excuse us, Sawyer.”
Boone slammed the door behind him, causing all the ruckus inside to switch off like a light. Several pairs of eyes turned their way. He was too furious to note that Sebastian's were now bright with amus.e.m.e.nt.
”Stay out of my way,” Boone said quietly. ”Each and every one of you.