It was a Dark and Stormy Night--Chapter Nine by Winne Griggs

“The Wizard Of Oz was my favorite childhood movie,” he explained with an adorably self-conscious grin.

No place like home, The Wizard Of Oz.  Of course. 

Her only excuse for being so slow on the uptake was that she was finding it difficult to think clearly with his hand still caressing her ankle.

Ellie pulled her foot back and stood.  The shoes were a perfect fit and quite yummy-looking on her feet.  “These high-heeled ruby ‘slippers’ are gorgeous, but it was Dorothy who wore them, not the witch.”  Hadn’t he noticed her black and white striped tights and the sweeping sleeves on her black dress.  Okay, it was only a token nod to wearing a witch costume, but there should be enough of a reference for him to get it.

JT stood up as well, but he still wore that boyish grin she found so attractive.  “Ah, but the Wicked Witch of the East had the shoes first.  Remember, Dorothy only received them after the house fell on the unfortunate spell-caster.”

“So I’m the Wicked Witch, am I?  Should I be on the look out for flying houses?”  This was certainly the right weather for it.

“Not on my watch."  He made an exaggerated bow.  "I shall personally guarantee your safety so long as you remain under my protection.”

The look he gave her as he said this made her toes try to curl just like the witch’s had just before they disappeared under the house. 

Then he extended his arm.  “Shall we go and greet the rest of my guests?”

The courtliness of the gesture enchanted her, but there was no need to let him know that.  She tossed her head and gave him her sauciest smile as she placed her candy-tipped nails on his sleeve.  “Lead the way.”

For the first time since she’d encountered JT, she felt confident and unafraid. 

That feeling lasted until they were half way down the elegant staircase.  Then the lights suddenly went out again and someone shrieked.  The hairs on Ellie’s neck stood on end at the other-worldly sound.  She instinctively moved closer to JT and tightened her hold on his arm.

Which was the only reason why, when an object came hurtling down the stairs, it missed her, but only by the merest of inches.