“You’d better be referring to Jack,” Charlie muttered, jerking open the back door. Six strides took her through the shrubbery. Six more took her through the Wood. The last six took her from between two Rocky Mountain junipers out onto the main drive leading up to Caesar’s Palace where she answered her phone and was almost hit by a cab.

And a limo.

And an SUV.

And another cab.

Although in fairness, it wasn’t entirely the second cabbie’s fault as she’d become even more distracted.

“How many baths?” Charlie stepped in under the portico and leaned against a pillar, appreciating the warmth after the damp cold of Calgary.

On the other end of the phone, Auntie Carmen sniffed. “Seventeen. Not that we’re complaining, the smell has faded significantly.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“He’s monopolizing the bathroom. We’ve had to charm it to try and keep him out.”

“So?”

“It’s not working. Whatever tune you have playing in his head is blocking the charm.”

“Really?” That was unexpected.

“Why on earth would I make that up, Charlotte? We need you to come and talk to him.”

“You need me? You and Auntie Bea can’t handle a man who’s been naked and wet for most of the time he’s been in your house?”

“Well, he’s slippery, dear, we can’t get him out of the bathroom.”

They could. They just didn’t want to. “I’m a little busy. Get hold of Jack and have him do it.”

“Isn’t Jack with you?”

“No, he’s with Joe in the Emporium.”

“But he’s always with you.”

“Auntie Carmen, I’m not in Calgary.” Charlie watched a very hungover bridal party tetris themselves and their luggage into a van and head for the airport. “If you can’t reach Jack . . .” Dragon fire had turned out to be the one thing Gale phones couldn’t survive. Charlie was fully aware that this made her inability to get rid of her phone total bullshit. “. . . have Roland talk to Dan.”

“I’d like to leave my grandson out of this. He’s your stray, Charlotte.”

“It’s your bathtub, Auntie Carmen.” Charlie hung up and caught a sympathetic look from one of the valet parking guys. “Family.”

He nodded. “Claro que si.”

Out of Town Girl led her to the 41st floor of the Augustus Tower where she found a member of the hotel staff backing out of Auntie Catherine’s room with a room service trolley, a disheveled uniform, and a sappy expression. He had gorgeous dark eyes, broad shoulders, and was in shouting distance of his early twenties which explained the Rihanna now playing in the background at least. When he caught sight of Charlie, he blushed up to the roots of his sweat-damp hair.

Charlie patted him on the shoulder as she went past him into the room.

“Charlotte.”