Red Roses Mean Love by D'Alessandro Jacquie

Author:D'Alessandro, Jacquie [D'Alessandro, Jacquie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 0440235537
Google: C77thOzdwUQC
Amazon: 0440235537
Goodreads: 247937
Publisher: Dell
Published: 1999-01-02T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

« ^ »

"Am I interrupting something?" Justin asked the next afternoon. He stepped onto the patio at Albright Cottage, an amused, incredulous look on his face.

Stephen tried to glower at his friend, but it was damned hard to look threatening while pinching a tiny teacup between his fingers. It was even more difficult considering he sat at a tiny child-size table, his frame nearly bent double, his knees bumping his chin and his ass wedged into a teensy chair. He shot Justin the harshest glare he could manage under the circumstances.

"Why, no, Justin. You're not interrupting at all. In fact, you are just in time to join us." He indicated a tiny empty chair with a nod. "Please sit down."

Stephen almost laughed out loud at the expression of horror that crossed Justin's face.

"Oh, no," Justin said, "that is not necess—"

"Nonsense," Stephen broke in. "We insist. Justin, may I present Miss Callie Albright, the finest hostess in all of Halstead. Callie, this is Mr. Justin Mallory, a dear friend of mine."

Callie peeked up at Justin from beneath the brim of a huge hat adorned with colorful feathers. "How do you do, Mr. Mallory?" she said with a sweet smile. "Please sit down. We're just about to begin our tea party." She moved around the table and held the tiny chair out for Justin. "You may sit right here, next to Miss Josephine Chilton-Jones."

Stephen watched Justin's gaze move from the minuscule chair to the none too clean doll, then to Callie's hopeful expression. Clearly knowing when he was defeated, Justin set his package down, moved to the tiny chair and gingerly sat down. He could barely squeeze his hips between the chair's wooden arms, and like Stephen's, his knees bumped his chin.

"Wonderful!" Callie exclaimed, clapping her hands with glee. "I'll pour the tea while we wait for Grimsley to bring our cookies." With great ceremony, Callie poured four cups of tea and served her guests. Justin stared down at the thimble-size cup with a dazed expression, then choked back a laugh.

Grimsley arrived with a plate of cookies, setting it in the center of the table. "Good afternoon, Mr. Mallory."

Justin looked up from his cramped position. "Good afternoon, Grimsley."

"How fortunate you arrived in time for the party," the footman said with a perfectly straight face. He bowed and left the patio.

Callie passed the plate of cookies around, keeping up a constant string of chatter. She refilled the tiny cups as soon as they were emptied—one sip rendered them dry—and acted the perfect hostess. When the teapot was empty, she excused herself to refill it.

Alone on the patio, Justin shot Stephen a sidelong glance.

"Don't say it, Justin."

"Don't say what?"

"What you're thinking."

Justin squinted at him. "Actually, I was wondering what happened to your face."

Stephen sizzled him with a withering look. "I shaved, if you must know."

Justin's jaw fell. "You shaved? What on earth did you use? A rusty ax?"

Stephen's lips thinned. "I used a razor. And I'll have you know, I think I did a damn fine job.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.