“What about that time I switched all the heads of your dolls with meatballs?”
“That wasn’t a grudge. It was property protection—and I’ll never forgive you for it. What did you bake today?”
“What?”
“It’s your day off. You said you were helping Hogan bake. I know he gets up at dawn. What have you baked so far?”
“Puff things and…um…coffee cake…and a strudel?”
“You haven’t done any of that.”
“No, but I’m in charge of quality control.”
“You’re just eating batter and getting in flour fights with Hogan, aren’t you?”
She smiled. “It’s been a good day.”
“Good. Because I need you to take on a small job.”
She dragged one hand over her two high pony tails, making sure they were where she wanted them. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”
“It’s not volunteering for Bertie.”
Her entire face lit up. She was the youngest of us three Reed sisters, and when she smiled like that it reminded me so much of my mother, I couldn’t help but smile back.
“I’m leaving Xtelle with you.”
She glanced over at the Jeep. “What? Here?”
“I’m on duty, Myra’s at the derby meeting. I don’t trust anyone else to keep her in her place.”
“What form did she pick?”
“Pony.”
Her mouth quirked up. “So, pony-only rules, right? No talking in front of the unaware, no demon tricks, just hanging out and eating grass?”
“Yep. Stina wants her over for the petting zoo on Saturday, but otherwise her calendar is open.”
“When did Stina get involved?”
“When Xtelle stole her ‘mediocre’ chocolate and ate it.”
“Ooooh. Old pals?”
“So close.”
“I don’t have a yard to keep her in.”
“I was thinking maybe Hogan’s place? The fenced-in side yard?”
“I’ll ask. Myra won’t take her?”
“After last time, I’m surprised Myra didn’t shoot her on sight.”
“And she’s not staying with you, because you and Ryder are fighting.”
Were we? She said it so casually, I almost glossed it over without a thought. Didn’t someone have to be present in some way to actually be fighting?
