“You poor, dear,” Martha said, returning with a cup for Liana and coffee for Bowen. She patted Liana softly on the shoulder, then glanced between Annie and me. “Breakfast is almost ready. You can have bread and honey with the heathens until then.”
She offered a cheeky smile, and then disappeared into the kitchen.
I flattened my lips, but Annie clapped her hands, thrilled by the attribute. The headache still pounded behind my temples, and I ripped off a hunk of bread, hoping food and some coffee might dull the pain.
The rest of breakfast followed, and easy conversation flowed around the table. I tuned it out, mentally making a list for the day. With the stretch of warm weather we were having, there was plenty to be done. This pirate wasn’t as lazy as he seemed, though I didn’t want to ruin anyone’s illusions.
Annie scooped the last of her eggs into her mouth, then dipped her hand into the pocket of her smock and pulled out a small, pale pink object. She rolled it between her fingers.
I looked away, flexing my jaw to relieve the suddentightness. Leave it to me to live by the sea, where you couldn’t walk the shoreline without stumbling over sea glass. I should've left everything behind and moved to the desert. In fact, I was adding it to my list.
“That pink is a nice color,” Liana said. “Did you find the glass on the beach this morning?”
Annie dropped her gaze and her voice into an almost dramatic whisper. “Not exactly. But I can’t tell you where I got it. I’m keeping a secret.”
My attention snapped back to their conversation.
Liana gave Annie a stern look. “We don’t keep secrets in this house. Not after what happened with your magic.”
Annie pressed her lips into a pout. “I was only kidnappedonetime!”
“Once was enough. Listen to your mother and tell us your secret,” Bowen said tightly, clenching a butter knife in his fist.
“Fine,” Annie grumbled. She leaned forward, pigtails swinging around her ears. “I forgot my book at Uncle Gavin’s house. So I went this morning to get it, and I—”
“Annie,” Liana interrupted, “you know you’re not supposed to go over there by yourself. It’s too far, and the house isn’t safe.”
“I didn’t go alone! I took the stable boy with me. We were only gone an hour.” She drummed her fingers against the table. “Butthat’s notmy secret.”
“I’m going to speak to the stable boy,” Bowen muttered.
“Yes, please do,” Liana agreed. “No more early morning rides.” She turned toward me and aimed her fork in my direction. “This is your fault, Gavin. You take her over to that crumbling manor so often she thinks she can come andgo as she pleases.”
I lifted my coffee like a shield. “In my defense, your daughter is a mischief-maker.”
Liana jabbed the fork closer. “And where do you think she gets that from?”
Annie groaned. “Doesn’t anyone want to hear about the pretty lady who broke into Uncle Gavin’s house and gave me the sea glass?”
I choked, inhaling coffee into my windpipe. Bowen slapped me on the back as I coughed, asking the question I couldn’t get past my spasming throat.
“What lady?”
Annie rolled her eyes. “Finally!As I was saying. I went back for my book and found her snooping around the hallway. I told her she wasn’t supposed to be there and that the house belonged to my uncle.”
“What did she look like?” I sputtered, finally able to speak.
“Oh, she was lovely. Blue eyes, like mine. Shorter than mama. Long dark hair… though part of it was strangely colored.” She blinked. “Can I color my hair?”
“Not until you’re older,” Liana said firmly. “Did she say anything?”
“Yes. When I told her who my uncle was, she got a strange look on her face, and then she cursed and called him a bloody thief!”
I went still. The air stalled in my lungs. It wasn’t possible. And yet, who else would do that? And the sea glass? A gut punch of hope mixed with dread wrenched my stomach.
What if it’s just a coincidence?
Life can’t be that cruel.
