Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
8
Salem
Rome had gotten up before the sun, kissed me, and told me to stay in bed until he got back.
Yesterday, we’d come home from our time out on his property, and he brought me straight to the room. He even had our dinner brought up to us. I’d loved being in here with him, but it was after nine now, and I was getting hungry. If he wanted to come lock us away for more when he got finished with what he was doing, then I would come right back to bed. But I couldn’t just lie in it all day, waiting on him.
I took my time showering and getting dressed in case he returned, but when he wasn’t there when I finished, I went on down to the kitchen. Goldie and Nina were whispering over by the stove, neither of them looking happy about whatever it was they were talking about. I glanced around to see who was in the room, but only Butch sat over on one of the sofas with a cup of coffee, looking at his phone. Nine was early for this bunch.
Not wanting to interrupt their conversation, but also in need of food, I walked quietly to the refrigerator to get a bottle of water.
“Oh, good morning, Salem,” Nina said when she spotted me, but there was something off in her tone of voice. Not her normal, teasing lilt that warned me she was going to pry into my sex life.
I smiled at her, but it faltered when her concerned gaze met mine. That was odd. What was going on?
“I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation,” I said apologetically.
Goldie waved a hand and shook her head. Her smile was a little too bright and forced. “You didn’t. Not one bit. We needed some good company. God knows we ain’t had any this morning.”
“I can hear you,” Butch called out from across the room.
“I wasn’t whispering,” Goldie called back, then turned to walk over to the oven. “Let me get you something to eat,” she said and began to make herself busy.
Nina was still studying me closely and realized it, then blinked, smiled, and went to grab a plate. “Yes, sit down, and we will get you all fixed up.”
“Y’all sure don’t go fussing over me like that,” Butch told them.
Nina rolled her eyes and put a hand on her hip. “And we ain’t gonna start,” she shot back at him.
Although they were trying to make things light, there was tension in the air. I’d walked in on something. They were trying to cover it up, but I caught the grim look on Nina’s face when she turned toward the stove.
What had happened? Was it why Rome had left so early? Was everyone okay?
Butch looked calm and relaxed though. If someone was hurt, he’d not be sitting here…would he?
Wanting to ask, but also not sure if that would sound nosy or not, I pulled out a stool and sat down. Normally, I would go behind the counter and make my own plate, but they seemed to want something to do. I watched them glance at each other several times with looks that didn’t sit well with me. Twice, Nina’s eyes flickered to me, and she’d paste on a fake smile that didn’t meet her eyes when she saw I was watching her.
Had I done something wrong? Or was I going to be sent home?
Goldie took my plate from Nina and made her way over to me. “I was gonna make apple dumplings this morning, but we are out of apples. I gotta make a run to the grocery. Anything you need? I can pick it up for you.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m good. Thanks.”
Another smile that didn’t meet her eyes.
It felt as if we’d gotten close enough that I could ask them what was wrong, but I hesitated when picking up my fork. The mood in here was so off that I didn’t know if I could even eat now. When silence continued, I glanced back at Butch and then at both of the women, who were trying to stay busy, but I’d helped them enough to know that they had it all done and were just creating things to do. They were avoiding me.
Putting my fork down, I decided to just ask. No reason to continue the awkwardness.
“Did I do something?” I figured I’d cover that first.
Both women turned around abruptly, wide-eyed and looking upset.
“Oh, no,” Goldie said, walking over toward me.
“Not you, honey. Sorry if we are acting strange. Just some things in the club that are…upsetting, is all.”
“But it’s not you. Definitely not you,” Goldie added emphatically.
“We’re just working through it,” Nina said, then smiled again.
This time, I noted sympathy in her eyes. What was that about?
“And you’re sure that this news has nothing to do with me?” I asked her point-blank.