Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“Let’s go check on Grams,” I call to Dudley. He jumps off the bed, following me out of my bedroom.
I don’t see any sign of her in her room or in the sitting room, so I text her.
Me: Where the heck are you?
This house is way too big.
Grams: Sunroom.
I make my way toward the back of the house. When I spot Grams, she has her legs kicked up on a table, leaning back in an oversized chair.
“Whatcha doin?”
“The TikTok.”
“Don’t fall into a thirst trap,” I tease her.
“Why not? You went and fell into one.”
“Grams!”
She only smirks. “He is really hot. Good with his hands too, I bet.”
“Grams!” I can feel the heat on my cheeks.
“What? I’m not your mother,” she says dryly. “How is she? Haven’t heard from her in awhile.” Grams shakes her head. “And people think I’m crazy.”
I snort a laugh.
“Have you heard from Dad?”
“No, sweetheart.” Her face softens. “At least your mom tries. I shouldn’t be so hard on her.”
“Don’t give her too much credit. We both know it’s you that’s provided for me.”
“I only want you to be happy.” She pats my leg.
“I’m happy when I’m here.”
“But you can’t stay here.”
My heart sinks.
“Not all the time at least. There is a whole world out there for you to see.”
“That does sound nice, but I don’t know what I want to see or do.” That makes me feel broken. Everyone else seems to have some sort of plan or direction. “I don’t fit anywhere.”
“The most interesting people I know don’t fit. You shouldn’t try so hard. Be you, and the rest will fall into place. And any pieces that don’t never belonged to begin with.”
I think there is something to what Grams is saying. With Rowan I have been myself. It’s only when I’m apart from him that I let my thoughts get away from me.
“Thanks, Grams.” I kiss her on the cheek. “I’m gonna go see what Rowan is up to.”
“Probably roaming around somewhere.” She shakes her head and starts swiping on TikTok again. “Men never see what they’ve been looking for even when you put it right in their face.”
I’m not sure what Grams means by that, but I know there has to be something to it. People might think she can be nutty at times, but she always knows what she’s doing.
13
ROWAN
My flashlight keeps trying to crap out on me as I climb into the top of the old stables. I’ve been meaning to take a look around up here for a while, but now seems to be the right time. Edith said the last handyman had stored the extra wall tiles up in this dusty attic.
It’s probably good for me to let Charlie have some alone time, too. I feel like I’ve been all over her from the moment she got here. It wasn’t my intention. But I can’t help the way I’m drawn to her. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Even now, I’m wondering if I’ll see her at dinner.
“Get it together, Rowan,” I grumble at myself and try to focus on the real reason I’m here: treasure.
I bang the flashlight against my thigh, and it brightens up. I train it on the wall and swing it around, getting a basic view of the space. It’s small, but it’s packed with random items. I don’t see anything even close to wall tiles as I walk toward the first pile of junk. Old clothes, a rocking horse that looks haunted at best, possessed at worst, and some old moth-eaten coats.
My flashlight flickers as I go deeper, my eyes no longer looking for tiles. Instead, I’m looking for treasure. This would be a decent hiding spot for the diadem. Maybe it’s tucked somewhere in the clutter.
I bang the flashlight again. It flickers brighter, and I pick through the old belongings, some of the clothes falling apart in my hands as I move in a semi-circle, peering at old photos and knick-knacks. I wonder if even Edith has seen any of this stuff. The age on it is mind-blowing.
By the time I’m done, I’ve found a stack of wooden tiles in boxes but no hidden treasure. Sighing, I grab the boxes and turn, which is when my light goes out.
“Fuck.”
I jump back when something moves at the top of the attic stairs.
“Hi.” Charlie’s sweet voice rolls over me.
“Hey, I didn’t see you there.”
“It’s dark.”
“My flashlight went out.” I walk over to the pull-down. “What are you up to?”
She sneezes and climbs the rest of the way up. “Just wanted to tell you it’s almost time for dinner.”
That warms me all over. “Yeah, I was grabbing more tiles. Let’s head back down.”
“Um.” She leans over and looks down the ladder. “Can you go first?”
“I guess. Why?”
“That way if I fall–”
“I’ll catch you.” I nod and heft the boxes up to my chest, then step carefully down the ladder to the ground. Once I put the boxes down, I smack the flashlight again, and it comes on. I train it up to the attic so she can see where she’s stepping and hold the ladder with my other hand. “Come on. I’ve got you.”