Ultimate Nyssa Glass by H. Burke (best value ebook reader .txt) 📕

He should write the company again … or maybe go to their competitor.”

The tension between Nyssa’s shoulders eased. “I’ll definitely suggest it.”

They sat in silence for the rest of the ride, though Theo popped up repeatedly to look out the windows or goggle at the engineer. When they jolted to a stop in the downtown shopping area, Nyssa nodded to the mother and took Theo’s hand to help him from the car.

This section of San Azula could’ve easily been transported whole from New Taured. While large sections of the island still had their “local color,” this area catered to tourists from the Continent, as well as the occasional expat looking for a taste of home. The people wore buttoned up coats and top hats in spite of the San Azulan heat. Gas lamps lined the street, and a bank with a clock tower and blocky continental architecture overshadowed it all. None of the buildings had the high arches and white plaster more common in San Azulan shops and homes.

Hopefully the outside influence meant local gossip was slower to filter into this area. Nyssa was about out of patience with people’s assumptions.

If the shopkeeper had heard anything about Nyssa, she certainly didn’t show it. The young woman with dark, shiny San Azulan hair and olive complexion escorted them in, plopped them on a settee, and trotted out her best samples.

“We have the highest quality fabrics. Certain to last well beyond when the young man outgrows them.” She held up a pair of pants.

Theo’s nose wrinkled. “I’m too old for knee pants, Nyssa. I don’t want to dress like a kid.”

“Shush,” Nyssa said, but she nodded towards a pair of gray trousers. “Do you think those come in his size?”

The shopkeeper tapped her lips with a well-manicured finger. “Stand up for me.” She took out a tape and measured Theo’s legs. “The smallest we have will be a few inches long, but I can fix that with a quick hem. Also, that will allow them to be let out as he grows, so they’ll last longer. His girth, or lack thereof, might be a little problematic.”

“We can fatten him up.” Nyssa smirked.

“True. There’s always a belt. I’ll see what we have in stock and have the seamstress take up the legs. Do you have time to wait? It won’t likely take her more than ten minutes. If not I can have them sent to your address later.”

Theo’s shoulders slumped.

“We can wait.” Nyssa nodded to the boy. “I think Theo would like to wear them out.”

A half hour later, they started back towards the trolley stop, Theo strutting in his fine new clothes and Nyssa doing all she could not to burst out laughing. They passed a shop with tools and trinkets displayed in the window.

Theo stopped and stared. “Look,” he whispered, his breath fogging the glass. “Like yours.”

Nyssa followed his gaze to a pair of magnification goggles. They weren’t a professional set, too small and flimsy, designed for hobbyists who liked to put together models rather than people who worked with actual machinery.

“They’re all right. I doubt they have a night vision setting or an x-ray setting.” Nyssa reached into her satchel and pulled out her pair. Never leave home without them.

Theo reached out a hand, then drew back.

“I’ll get you a pair someday. Maybe not as elaborate as these, but better than those.” She nodded disdainfully towards the shop window. “You need tools, not toys, right?”

Though some toys might not hurt either. What do eight-year-old boys play with? Sticks and rocks?

Theo grinned, but then blanched and dodged behind Nyssa’s skirts. Nyssa whirled about. Uncle Al stalked towards her.

Squaring her shoulders, she put on her most stoic face. “Are you following me?”

“I may have seen you hop the trolley and made a guess where you’d end up.” Uncle Al grinned. “Got to keep an eye on my investment, as it were.”

“Well, you can stop. I’m going to see to it that you’re deported from the island, perhaps back to prison.” She reached back and took Theo’s hand. “Come. Let’s go home.”

She tried to push past her uncle, but he moved to block her.

“You see me as a villain.” He peered at her. “Why? Didn’t I protect you? No one put a hand on you without hearing from me.”

She glared at him. “I seem to remember you putting your hand on me more than once.”

“Spare the rod, spoil the child.” He shrugged. “Those clouts were just good parenting.”

She snorted. “Oh yes, you were a fine parent. Let’s go, Theo.” She tried to tug the boy around him, but Al grabbed her shoulder.

“You know what would’ve happened to you if I hadn’t stepped up when your parents died?” He leaned closer. “I didn’t have to take you in. I could’ve got a pretty penny for a waif like you, but I didn’t. Why? Because you’re family and family takes care of family.”

“You know so much about family.” Nyssa scowled. Her heart pounded against her rib cage, trying to escape this man and the memories his presence summoned. “Anything I might’ve owed you was canceled out by what you made me do.”

“And what exactly did I make you do? Learn a trade? Become a success? I made you who you are, Nyssy girl. You owe everything to me. If not for my care, your only way of earning your bread would be on your back.” He grinned at her.

Nyssa’s pulse spiked. “Don’t you ever speak to me like that.”

“Oh, are you too refined for such things now? Or does it hurt because it’s true? Is that how you got your start with your crippled friend? A man in a chair must be desperate for some —”

Nyssa’s palm slapped against his cheek before she’d even considered her actions. He snatched her by the wrist and wrenched her around. Hot pain shot through her arm.

“Stop it!” Theo pushed himself between Nyssa and Uncle Al. Al shoved Nyssa against the window of the shop but let her