Ultimate Nyssa Glass, H. Burke [cat reading book .TXT] 📗

down from her cheeks into her neck and chest. “Oh. That’s … that’s good. I mean …” She bit down on her tongue. That’s good? What sort of idiotic response is that? The man just … oh shock me. What do I say?

“I know we aren’t near that point in our relationship yet,” he continued, his voice steadier. “However, I thought before things progressed, I should clear the air on that. I know what people think, the assumptions they make, but I need you to know that you won’t have to sacrifice that to be with me. If you do choose to be with me, that is.”

The warmth of her blush cooled into a gentle glow in her breast. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “No matter what the circumstances, being with you wouldn’t be a sacrifice. And I do want that—someday.”

He brushed his lips across her cheek before settling on her mouth. Her hand strayed to his chest, gripping his shirt. His mouth pressed against hers, firm but still somehow yielding. She closed her eyes and concentrated fully on his kiss.

He withdrew with a laugh. “That was the most awkward conversation I’ve had in my life.”

She laughed, a little louder than she intended. Theo moaned and stirred in his sleep.

Nyssa pulled the blankets back up to his chin. “We should let him sleep.”

“You’re right. After all, tonight we’ve discussed money, sex, and religion. If we stay up any longer we’ll get into politics, and the level of uncomfortable could possibly kill everyone within a mile radius.” He chuckled.

Nyssa watched Ellis descend the stairs. She checked one last time to be sure Theo was covered then stood back for a moment. His eyelashes fluttered, perhaps dreaming. He looked so much younger when he was sleeping, a baby. His dusty-brown hair fell over his cheeks.

He needs a haircut or he’s going to start looking like a girl. Blast, I really am thinking like a parent now. Ellis, myself, and Theo … A smile overtook her face.

“I have a family,” she whispered to the ticking clock. “A real family.”

Chapter Seven

The next morning, Ellis sent the promised telegram to Amara at the Azores’s mansion. They then all filed into the shop to start the day.

“Do you think there’s any point to opening the shop?” Nyssa asked. “Or should we just wait to hear back from Amara?”

Ellis shrugged. “We still have our tools and enough spare parts to do most basic repairs. If we stay closed, it will feed the gossip.”

Nyssa nodded. Theo ran across the room and flipped the sign to “open.” He settled behind the counter, chest out, chin in the air, like a little shopkeeper. Nyssa stifled a laugh.

The boy’s great, patched coat swung about his body, making his twiggy frame look like the clapper inside a church bell. A pair of over-sized trousers dripped from his body. Though Mrs. H had washed them, they still were threadbare and stained.

Nyssa chewed her bottom lip. “I think I’m going to take Theo out for a bit. He could use a new wardrobe, especially if he’s going to be waiting on customers. Looking proper and professional is a big part of owning a business.”

The boy’s eyes widened, then a grin spread over his face. “Really? New clothes?” His smile died. “Can we afford it?”

Nyssa frowned. “We aren’t broke yet. Besides, we won’t make money unless we spend a little, be it for parts or in order to maintain a respectable appearance. We’ll call it a business expense. Do you want to come, Ellis?”

Ellis shook his head and ran a cloth over his tools. “I think I’ll stay and work on some small repairs. If by chance a customer does wander by, someone needs to be minding the store.”

“All right.”

They might be more likely to come if it’s just Ellis. After all, he doesn’t represent the criminal element. Not even seventeen and my reputation is more tattered than Theo’s coat.

After everything that had happened, Nyssa decided it was best to do their shopping away from their immediate neighborhood. Her satchel at her side, she led Theo to the corner and waited there for the trolley. A woman with a clockwork pram shied away from them, closing the pram’s canopy as if to shield the baby from their presence.

Yep, my reputation has definitely preceded me. Shock my uncle.

Theo hopped from foot to foot. “I’ve never ridden a trolley before.”

“Just remember to hold on tight if you can’t find a place to sit. They jerk a bit.”

With a hiss of steam and rattle of metal wheels over tracks, the trolley careened up the street then stopped before them. The woman with the pram tried to tilt it up the steps but couldn’t quite get it over. She cleared her throat, gazing hopelessly into the mostly empty car. There were a few people in the back, but none rose to help her.

Swallowing her pride, Nyssa stepped forward. “Here. They really should build these things with ramps.” She took the back of the pram and motioned for the mother to enter. The woman did so but with a pinched mouth and worried eyes.

Does she think I’m going to steal her baby? What would I want one for?

To break the awkward silence, Nyssa continued speaking as she hoisted her end up, pushing as the mother pulled. “My friend once submitted a design for retractable ramps to a major trolley manufacturer. His was specifically for wheelchairs, but it would work with prams too. He said they never got back to him.”

The pram now rested safely inside the trolley. Nyssa and Theo scrambled aboard as the engineer pushed the lever and the car moved forward with a jump. Theo yelped and grabbed Nyssa around the waist. She in turn clutched a leather strap hanging from the ceiling. As soon as she’d steadied herself, she worked her way onto a bench across from the mother with the pram.

The woman cleared her throat. “It’s a good idea, your friend’s.