Old Bess looked up from the glass she’d been drying, surprise etched onto her weathered face as the bar door swung open to admit its newest patron.

“Well, blow me down. Karl, look who’s here!”

Karl raised his head, smacking his lips together noisily. His eyes lit up when he saw Becca standing there. Her normally tousled curls were now sleek and she wore a form-fitting green dress that left little to the imagination.

“Well, boss, I’m ready for my first lesson. Do you think you can show me how magicians saw ladies in half? I’ve always wanted to do that.” She pouted magnificently, her lower lip jutting out provocatively.

Karl straightened his tie and ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll need to get my props from home. Just wait for me here, lassie, and I’ll be back in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.” He wagged a finger at Old Bess. “Don’t let this here fishie out of your net, Old Bess. I’ll be coming back for her.”

Old Bess ran a practiced eye over Becca’s figure. “Oh, she’s not going anywhere, are you darlin’?”