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“Believe me, I know. I’ve been inside his house,” Jessa answered.
Mama took her by the shoulders and faced me. “I told you never to bring a girl to that barn.”
“Never had any complaints,” I snarked.
“Well, Jessa, it’s nothing a hot bath won’t fix.”
Jessa’s eyes practically rolled back in her head. “Could I?”
“Yes, of course, but... well, I have bad news, honey. See, we only have the bed-and-breakfast here in town and a few vacation rentals, and the closest hotel is thirty miles from here. You can stay here tonight, but with half the family coming in for the strawberry festival tomorrow, well, I’m afraid there’s nowhere left but Remy’s.”
Jessa’s head swiveled back and forth like a perpetual motion machine. “What about the man who was set to stay with Remy?”
“He’s at a house with ten other boys, all of them sleeping on couches and air mattresses. You don’t want to stay there, sweetie. At Remy’s, you’ll have your own room, and that house is so peaceful and quiet, not like in town.”
I salivated at the thought of getting to hang onto her. And even if I couldn’t bring her around, messing with her was too much fun to pass up. But my amusement slithered away when I realized Jessa was about to cry.
Cass and Mama swarmed, flanking her.
“Oh, now don’t cry, honey,” Mama said, stroking her hair. “I promise we’ll clean it up real nice. Put on fresh sheets. We’ll even clean the bathroom, won’t we, Cassidy?”
Cass’s nose twitched. “Of course we will.”
“It’ll be just fine—you wait and see. And Remy will be on his very best behavior. Won’t you, son?”
It wasn’t a question. It was a warning.
“When am I not on my best behavior?”
Mama’s eyes swept the ceiling. “Here’s what we’ll do, Jessa. You go take yourself a nice long bath, and we’re gonna go start on that mess. You can take a nap if you want, and when you’re all fresh, you text Cass.”
Jessa managed to look both devastated and grateful. “I’m terribly sorry to be such trouble.”
“None of that,” Mama chided. “I’m sorry to ask you to stay with Remy, but if he doesn’t behave, you tell me, and I’ll handle him.”
“I’m standin’ right here, you know.”
“Take her suitcase upstairs, Remy. Do you want tea, Jessa?”
“Perhaps after my bath? Beau and I have been acquainted, and I’d like to wash off my welcome.”
Cass eyed Beau, who was stretched out on Mama’s couch, and gave me a look. “Really?”
I shrugged and picked up her suitcase, heading for the stairs.
“Well, I’ll leave the tea bags out. Kettle’s on the stove, sugar’s on the counter, cream is in the fridge. If you need anything, just text Cass.”
“Thank you again,” Jessa said before following me up the stairs. I turned for Mama’s room and set her things down.
She reached for her overnight bag and unzipped it as I stood there, watching. Her eyes flicked to mine.
“Did you need something?” she asked.
I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling sheepish. Maybe I’d pushed her too far.
The thought made me feel like scum.
“Sorry you’ve gotta stay with me.”
