Read Ace-High Flush for Free Online Page B

again. "That was nice of you. You know, my mother is—"
    He nodded as he spoke. "I know. I brought chocolate, too."
    Gabby giggled. "I don't know if you'll succeed in buttering her up, but chocolate will help." She gestured up the stairs. "Come on up. I was right in the middle of something that can't wait."
    Opening the apartment door, she called out to her mother. "Mama, Ace is here. He brought dinner. Isn't that a nice surprise?"
    The apartment smelled better this time, clean and fresh. The late summer sun beamed orange, at an angle though one barred window.
    The older woman roused herself, though she didn't move from her recliner. "What?"
    Ace smiled as her eyes lit on him. "Good ev'nin', ma'am."
    Ignoring his friendly greeting, she frowned at Gabby. "I thought you told him to get lost."
    Gabby took the box from Ace and headed toward the kitchen. Either she hadn't heard her mother's complaint, or she was ignoring it. Ace couldn't tell which.
    Anita's eyes narrowed on him. "How dare you show up like this? Is something wrong with your hearing? My daughter turned you down."
    Ace took his hat off and ruffled his hair. The loveseat across from Gabby's mother was a little worn and small, but it was the only place to sit. "She said she couldn’t go out tonight, not that she didn't want to have dinner."
    "Ha! What a conniving bastard!" She pointed a thick finger at him. "Don't think you can outsmart me, Mr. Texan. My daughter might be an easy target, but I'm not."
    Ace didn't like the way she denigrated Gabby, as though the girl was a slut. "Your daughter isn’t easy, and she isn't a target at all. I respect your daughter, Mrs…uh… Anita . I am beginnin' to wonder if you respect her, though."
    Her jaw tightened and she sniffed.
    There was a clanking from the kitchen. "Ow!"
    Anita called out. "Gabby? Are you alright?"
    Ace stood and moved into the kitchen. It was a tidy, bright yellow space, small but scrupulously clean. Gabby had her upper body under the sink and a small toolbox rested on the floor at her feet. "Goddamn you, turn!"
    Ace bent to look at what had her so riled up. She was armed with a monkey wrench, and was trying to turn the fitting above the p-trap. "You okay?"
    "My earring fell into the sink a few hours ago as I was scrubbing. I'm sure it's in the trap, but I can't get the damned thing to unscrew."
    "Come out of there."
    "It's a gold earring, Ace. I can't let it wash away."
    He doffed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. "I'll do it. Come out."
    "I can do it!"
    "Yeah, I can see how successful you are."
    "Don't be sarcastic." She huffed as she tried again to turn the fitting.
    Ace grabbed her by the hips and slid her out of the cabinet, taking the wrench from her. "Out, li'l girl."
    "Look, just because you have those Neanderthal muscles doesn't mean you can waltz in here and show off. I can do this."
    He quirked an eyebrow at her as he helped her to her feet. She confronted him with hands on her hips, reminding him of one of his sister's Jack Russell terriers. "Watch your tongue, Gabriella. Rudeness gets the same treatment as lyin’.”
    She snorted and reached for the wrench. Ace easily held it out of her reach. "You jerk! Gimme the fuckin' wrench!"
    He nudged her aside and got under the cabinet. "We'll deal with your temper tantrum–and language–later."
    "Ace!"
    The p-trap fitting came right off, and he scooted back out of the cupboard and handed the curved pipe to Gabby. "Pour this into a bucket and get your earring."
    She huffed but did as she was told. When she found her jewelry, her eyes lit up. "Thank you."
    He nodded and took the pipe back from her. "You're welcome." It took him less than a minute to reattach the trap.
    "I'm sorry I was so sharp with you."
    "You'll be sorrier later." He rolled down his sleeves, feeling great satisfaction at seeing the realization on her face.
    Her voice was a whisper. "You can't spank me here, Ace."
    "Nope."
    Her posture loosened. "As long as we have that