Kelpie (Come Love a Fey) by Kaye Draper Page A

living room.  Leith had taken a seat on the
couch near Mair and they were engaged in some intense conversation, his dark
head bent to her light one.  I rolled my eyes and turned away again.  Maybe she
would take him home with her.  That would solve the problem of how to get him
out.  The thought didn’t make me feel as relived as it should.
    I
rolled my shoulders and took a few calming breaths. 
    Fishing
my phone out of my pocket, I dialed my parents.  I needed to tell my mom that I
wouldn’t be able to make our weekly dinner.  I was sure I would be spending the
day traipsing about the woods.  Maybe I could talk Leith into going down to the
police station with me.
    Mom
answered on the third ring.  Her voice was bright and cheery.
    “Hey,”
  I said in greeting.  “How are you guys doing?”
    Hearing
that they were both doing fine, I relaxed a little.  It sounded like there
wasn’t anything big they needed help with before next week.  “I’m sorry Mom,” I
said hesitantly.  “I know I’m supposed to come out tomorrow, but something’s
come up.”
    She
laughed.  “Don’t worry sweetie, if this is about your guest, I don’t mind.”
    I
stared blankly at the patio railing.  “What?”
    “Oh,
I called earlier, but you weren’t home yet.  I spoke with your young man.  He
seems very nice.”
    I
swallowed.  I hadn’t wanted her to know I had homeless man living with me.  It’s
not exactly the thing every parent wants to hear.  I wondered just what he had
told her.  My young man?
    “Don’t
worry,” Mom said happily, “I’ll make enough food for you both, and I’m sure
your dad would love some help in the garden.”
    I
finally found my voice.  “What?  Mom, I am not bringing a strange guy over to
your house.  We can just get together next week.”
    She
wasn’t having any of it.  “Leith said that you would feel that way.  He said
you would probably cancel, and he didn’t want you to do that because of him.”
    I
pulled up my knees and rested my forehead on them.  Leith and my mom were on a
first name basis now?  He brought strange people into my house, and he answered
my phone and chatted with my parents.  Just who the hell did he think he was?
    Mom
was chattering on while I was stewing, but I started paying attention again
when her tone of voice changed.  “So…is he cute?  He has a really sexy voice.”
    I
sat up straight.  “Mom!”
    She
laughed merrily and I gritted my teeth.  “Oh, sorry.  I have another call,” I
lied, “I’ll have to let you go.”
    I
said goodbye and ended the call.  I was furious with Leith.  No way was I
taking him to my parents’ house.  And he was going to get an earful about
answering the phone, and inviting himself to my family gathering, not to
mention telling my mom who-knows-what.  I stood and turned toward the door.
    Leith
was still seated on the couch.  Mair knelt in front of him.  She clasped his
hand and he stroked her honey-colored hair, a tender look on his face.  She
lifted his big hand, planting a kiss on the back, and he leaned down to embrace
her.  I crossed my arms and tapped my toe impatiently.  What the hell was going
on here?  If he was dating someone he could damned well freeload off her .
 I opened the door and marched across the room, refusing to look at them.
    I
opened the fridge and started banging about, making dinner.  Leith stood and
came to the door, Mair gliding along in his wake.  “You’re sure you won’t stay
for dinner?”  Leave it to Leith to be obliviously polite.
    Mair
smirked.  “No, I think I’d better be going.  I’m not welcome here.”
    I
went to the sink to wash my hands, then took a deep breath and turned to face
the gorgeous woman.  “I’m sorry,”   I said tightly.  “I’ve just had a long
day.  I don’t mean to be rude, but coming home to a stranger in my house is a
bit… much… today.  It’s nothing personal.”
    She
nodded, her perfect lips curling