Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
“Or else,” Baron added.
The three of them punched their fists into the palms of their hands.
Wow. That was a very coordinated move.
“I can see the three of you are going to give Ink gray hair,” Ethan said with a grin. “I’m here for that.”
“Whoa, the Stone is smiling,” Baron whispered. “That’s weird.”
“How is that weird?” Cate asked. “He smiles a lot.”
Both boys stared at her. Then Royal gave her a strange look. “Maybe he just smiles because he’s around you.”
That was a very nice thing to say.
“Come on in,” Royal said. “We’ll give you the grand tour.”
“Ink, the Stone is here,” Baron yelled out. “And he’s got a pretty girl. Oh, and he smiled.”
These twins were . . . charming.
“Manny Boulder!” someone yelled as they walked into a huge living room with a stone fireplace and large windows that showed the gorgeous view beyond. Trees as far as she could see.
A small woman with dark-blonde hair raced toward Ethan. She stopped in front of him, smiling. “Hey!”
Manny Boulder?
Ethan grinned at her, reaching down to hug her briefly. A dark-haired, attractive man stepped up behind her, tugging her back against him.
“Hey Greer,” Ethan said.
Greer and Hack. Hack was a doctor. Greer was Savage’s sister.
“I’m so glad you’re back. Hi, you must be Cate. Welcome.” Greer didn’t reach out to touch her, just waved instead. But her smile seemed genuine.
Maybe.
The next forty minutes involved whirlwind introductions. Even though she’d researched each person, she still found it overwhelming.
Everyone seemed lovely and no one touched her. But it was still a lot. And after a house tour from the boys, she needed a bit of a break.
“I’m just going to go to the bathroom,” she told Ethan.
“I’ll take you.”
She shook her head. “You stay and talk to your friends. I know where I’m going.”
He eyed her for a long moment. “You need to go home.”
“We haven’t even been here an hour.”
“Cate,” he said warningly. “Tell me the truth.”
“I’ll be all right. I just want a short breather.” And her head was thumping.
“I’ll take you outside.”
“Ethan. I’m all right. Just a few minutes.”
He didn’t look happy, but he nodded.
She headed into the powder room and put some cool water on the inside of her wrists. It still didn’t help. And she didn’t want to stay in here. Maybe some air would help.
Walking from the powder room, she headed toward the door off the kitchen. Stepping out onto the porch, she frowned as she saw someone disappear into the trees.
Someone small with dark hair. Carrying a Nerf gun.
What was Zippy up to?
Should a seven-year-old go off on her own . . . with a Nerf gun?
She decided to follow her. Rushing to the trees, she walked into the forest. But Cate wasn’t used to navigating a forest and soon she was lost.
Oh God.
She was going to be in trouble when Ethan went looking for her.
“Zippy? Zippy, are you here?”
“What you doing following me?”
With a gasp, she jumped and turned, her hand on her heart. There stood the little girl, her gun aimed at Cate.
“I was worried you might get lost.”
Zippy tipped her head to one side. “Yeah? Do you know where you’re going?”
With a sigh, Cate shook her head. “No, sadly, I have no idea. Ethan is not going to be happy when he discovers I’m gone. I was only going outside for a few minutes to get some air. Now, I’m lost. Do you know the way home?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t be out here if I didn’t. Royal and Baron took me exploring the first day I arrived.”
They had?
“Are you supposed to be out here alone, though?”
Zippy narrowed her gaze at her. “You gonna tell?”
“I don’t believe so. If you take me back to the house.”
Zippy eyed her, then grinned. “I like you.”
“You do?”
“Uh-huh.” Zippy nodded.
“Why?”
“Because you’re different. You don’t talk to me like I’m a kid. Same with the twins.”
“They seem like good boys.”
“They’re hell on wheels. That’s what Ink says.”
“Within your hearing?”
“Heck no,” she said. “But I’m good at sneaking around.”
“I can tell.”
“I don’t want to ruin this. I got a good thing going on here and Betsy will worry if she knows I was out here. The twins said we aren’t to let Betsy worry. We take care of her.”
“I thought she would take care of you three.”
“That’s what we let her think.”
“You do? I don’t really understand. Don’t adults protect children?”
“I’m not saying that Betsy doesn’t look after me. So far, she makes really good food. And she tucks me in at night. And reads stories. But some adults also need us kids to look out for them too.”
“Oh.”
“Did your mom tuck you in at night?”
“My mom died when I was young. But yes, she did.”
“What about after she died?”
“I had to go live with my aunt and uncle.”
“Were they nice?” Zippy asked.