Page 36 of Wizard's Spitfire

“Are you planning on war?”

I shake my head. “No, just letting you know we’re prepared.”

I feel her relax. “That makes me feel better. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now, let’s go turn in those papers and get our girls.”

She laughs and leads us into the office. A silver-haired woman in a dress complete with pearls and heels greets us. She looks me over a few times. I can’t quite discern what her eyes hold. It isn’t fear or contempt.

“Mrs. Caruso, how nice to see you.”

“Grace. How was your summer?”

“My summer was amazing. Who’s your friend?”

“Grace, this is Damien Morelli. I’d like to add him to the list of approved adults and as emergency contact. Damien, this Mrs. Grace Appleton.”

I extend my hand to the older woman. “Mrs. Appleton, it's a pleasure to meet you.”

She extends her hand with a smile.

“Call me Grace, and it’s a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Morelli.”

“Please call me Damien. May I say that dress brings out the color of your eyes.”

Grace blushes. “Oh, you’re a rascal.”

I smile and wink.

“If you have a few minutes, we brought some paperwork regarding the girls,” I say.

“We can meet in Mr. Stanley’s office. He’s out on the soccer field with the sophomores.”

“Valentina will love that,” Charlie says with a laugh.

Grace laughs and points to a CTV monitor. “She doesn’t look so happy trotting across the field in her heels.”

I stifle a laugh at the look on half the girls' faces as they traipse across the field in heels. A man dressed in athletic gear striding across the field is oblivious to the angst behind him.

We follow Grace into the principal’s office. It takes all of ten minutes for her to document the changes and file the paperwork. After that, we’re free to take the girls with us.

Chapter 22

Charlie

We meet the girls at the soccer field. They are not only surprised I picked them up early, but they are doubly surprised to see Wizard with me.

It’s barely ten A.M. by the time we load into the SUV.

“Who wants breakfast?” Wizard asks.

A chorus of “I do’s” goes up. The girls chat about who wore what as Wizard navigates the busy streets of New Orleans. We park near the Ruby Slipper. Yum, one of my favorite places. Then I remember I mentioned it to him once when we met for work.

“Pig candy,” Valentina exclaims.

“And loaded tots,” Francesca adds.

“It’s creamsicle beignet season,” Lucia exclaims.