Page 35 of Guarded by My Gargoyle

“Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were about to.”

“I was thinking.”

“Do it somewhere else.”

Flora’s eyes positively gleamed. “You’re fond of him.” He refused to respond. “Aren’t you?”

“He’s five.”

“Most five-year-olds are.”

“He’s a good kid. He asks good questions.”

“Mm-hm.”

“He notices things.”

“I know.”

“He doesn’t need half this town discussing him because you’ve all decided his mother and I⁠—”

He stopped abruptly, and Flora raised an eyebrow. Aidan took a sudden, intense interest in the label on his beer, and Sam disappeared beneath the water.

Coward.

“His mother and you what?” Flora asked innocently.

“Nothing.”

“Of course.”

“Stop doing that.”

“Doing what?”

“Whatever this is.”

Flora beamed up at him. “I haven’t the faintest idea what you mean.”

He had known this female most of his life, and he knew better than to continue the argument. Unfortunately, she wasn’t done with him yet.

“You know,” she said conversationally, “your mother used to make that exact face.”

His hand closed on the rail. Flora’s expression didn’t soften, and if anything the mischief sharpened.

“Usually when your father was being an ass.”

Aidan choked on his beer, and Garrick stared at her.

“You’re welcome,” Flora said.

“For what?”

“Changing the subject.”