Page 12 of Good Directions

“Yes?”

“No.”

If I thought her voice was sharp before, I was wrong. That simple two-letter word is like a razor, cutting through everything around us, leaving no room for argument.

“Unacceptable,” she continues, taking the phone back from me. “Ken, Sawyer is going to stay with me. Call Jace. He will come get her things and bring them to Magnolia Manor. End of.”

End of. I wasn’t aware there was a start of, to be honest. But apparently now I’m staying at someplace called Magnolia Manor. Which sounds very fancy. Much fancier than a place that would have a powder room in the color Hot Gossip.

“I don’t want to intrude,” I start, my manners taking over.

“Nonsense,” Miss Belle says, holding a hand up. “I have a whole house with four and a half empty bedrooms. It’s a bit of a mess at the moment thanks to the whole painting situation, but that will be rectified by the end of the week. It’ll be nice having another girl in the house again. Most importantly, we absolutely cannot have you staying at the Ramblers’ Rest.”

She shudders as she says that last bit, leaving me feeling like maybe I just escaped a stay at the Bates motel.

“Thank you.”

“Of course.” Reaching over, she places her hand on mine, squeezing. “And I cannot wait to introduce you to the rest of the family. You’re gonna fit right in. I can tell.”

Here’s hoping…