Page 42 of Fairy Tale Husband

“We weren’t certain that’s what it was, but we didn’t want to take any chances.”

“Smart move, sweetheart.” He shot them a quick look, tension gripping him. “Everybody all right? Anyone bit?”

“We’re fine,” Wynne reassured.

“Chick needs to pee real bad,” Buster chimed in. “I thought about havin’ him wet down the snake, but figured it would only make the thing madder. Maybe mad enough to slither up here and get even.”

Jake fought to keep a straight face. “I appreciate your restraint.”

As though tired of being left out of the conversation, the snake swung its spade-shaped head in his direction, its tail quivering an ominous warning. Jake froze, knowing better than to make any sudden moves.

“Would you mind putting it outside?” Wynne requested nervously.

“Would I mind—” He eyed the distance between him and the snake. “No, sweetpea. Iwouldn’t mind. As a matter of fact, I’ll get right on it.” Deciding he was far enough away to avoid an unexpected strike, he backed slowly toward the mudroom. Scooping up his boots, he donned them with due speed.

He poked his head around the door. “Care to explain how you came to be entertaining a diamondback?”

“It wasn’t by choice, believe me. It must have been hibernating in the woodbox by the stove. We were going to try baking cookies on the fire-burner and I opened the box to get some wood and—”

“It’s a wood-burner and I get the picture.” His shut his eyes. In fact, it was all too vivid a picture, almost crippling in its impact. It was also an image he’d have to hold at bay if he were to be of any use. “Listen to me, Wynne. Ineed to get to the den and since I don’t think our friend here is going to let me by without payin’ a stiff penalty, I’ll have to circle around. I’ll be back as quick as I can. Stay put, okay?”

“No worries there,” Wynne replied, attempting a smile.

Not wasting another minute, he exited through the mudroom and ran like hell for the front of the house. In thirty seconds flat, he’d beat a path to the den, had the gun case unlocked, and his rifle loaded. Ramming home the shells, he headed for the kitchen. At the doorway, he paused, checking cautiously for the snake. It hadn’t moved, but lay coiled in the sunlight, warming itself.

“All of you, turn around and don’t look,” he ordered.

“What are you going to do with the gun?” Wynne asked apprehensively.

“What do you think? I’m going to blow that critter to kingdom come.”

“Here?” she questioned, appalled. “In the kitchen?”

“Right here and right now.” He shouldered the rifle. “Close your eyes. It’s gonna be messy.”

“Jake, no. You can’t.”

He sighted along the barrel. “What do you mean I can’t? I’ll have you know I’m a dead shot.”

She lowered her voice. “Not in front of the children, you aren’t.”

“Why not?” Buster demanded. “We want to see Uncle Jake blow the snake to kingdom come.”

Chick nodded, his powder-blue eyes gleaming with bloodthirsty enthusiasm. He popped his thumb from his mouth and took aim with his index finger. “Pkkkww.”

Wynne stared at him in delight. “Chick! You spoke.”

Buster made a sound of disgust. “Pkkkww isn’t a word. It’s a noise. You know, like a gun blast.”

“Oh.” She looked crestfallen for an instant, then brightened. “That’s okay, Chick,” she said with an encouraging smile. “You’ll talk when you’re good and ready.”

“Excuse me, but could we please focus on the problem at hand?” Jake interrupted, an exasperated edge to his voice.

She frowned. “Right. The snake. I’d really rather you not shoot it in the house. In fact, I’m not sure I want it shot, period.” She gazed hopefully at Jake. “Can’t we just move it someplace else?”

He lowered his rifle. “You don’t have a clue, do you?” He pointed. “For your information, that snake is a western diamondback. It’s the second most venomous reptile in the U.S. Know what that means?”

Eyes enormous, Wynne shook herhead.

---