“The main problem,” Honey said, smoothing her skirt, “is that your father doesn’t want me here. The regulations are clear. Despite the presence of magic on this property, unless I have a warrant, I need his consent to be on site for an audit. Of course, this would all be easier if Brim's Hollow had a Director of Arcane Relations to bring this to, but never the matter now, we’ll get it sorted.”
Honey needed to get some space alone to think it all over, consult her regulations, and make a neat and tidy list of what she needed to do for the audit and what she could help with without overstepping her bounds as compliance officer. The more she turned it over in her mind, the more sure she was that saving the farm and the family from certain collapse would be the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how order and structure could bring true joy to people. The idea sang to something in her.
Really, the possibility of the satisfaction of a goodsystem was worth it alone. That and the ability to complete her audit and get her promotion.
If only she could get Mr. Hale to be reasonable.
“He’s a nice guy,” Emma offered quietly, as if reading her mind.
Honey raised her eyebrows as if to say,I’ll take your word for it.
“I’m saying if you were hurt or in danger”—Emma’s gaze kept darting over Honey’s shoulder and her voice rose in volume—“he would let you stay.”
Honey blinked. “I’m not in the business of tricking people, Emma.”
“Well, sorry in advance,” Emma said.
“What—”
“Don’t tell my dad!” Brooke’s voice rang out behind them, full of gleeful mischief.
Honey turned just in time to see Brooke hurl something long and writhing straight at her feet.
The snake hit against her shins with a sickeningthwap.
Honey screamed.
It wasn’t dignified. It wasn’t professional. It was sharp, high, and straight from the diaphragm. She flailed backwards, her heel catching on a rock, and then?—
Splat.
She landed butt-first in a mud puddle, her legs splaying and the contents of her file arcing through the air.
There was a pause.
Then Brooke threw herself to the ground, rolled onto her back, and began groaning theatrically. “Ahh! My ankle! Snake! It was huge! She saved me!”
“I what?” Honey shouted.
Emma covered her mouth with both hands. “Do you have to be so dramatic?”
“Dramatic?” Brooke gasped, clutching her leg. “She threw herself between me and the rattler. Like a shield! I’ve never seen anything like it. I think she’s a hero!”
“What is the matter with you?” Honey yelled.
Brooke winked up at her from the grass.
Honey groaned and looked toward the farmhouse. Sure enough, Ethan Hale had appeared on the porch, toting the youngest Hale kid in his arms.
Great.
Chapter 7
Ethan
Ethan had seen a lot of mess in his time—calving season, a plumbing disaster in January, whatever the hell Melly did with glitter last week—but nothing quite compared to the disaster currently unfolding in his front yard.
Miss Honey Baxter, bureau-certified pain in his ass, was flailing around in a mud puddle like some kind of synchronized swimmer on acid. She was filthy, furious, and still somehow clinging to the idea of dignity.
