Page 49 of Tiffanie

“I can’t consume this much, Phineas.”

“I’ll help you. The store had rainbow sherbet.”

“Yum. I love that.”

“I remember. Now to find something high in iron that you like. Spinach? Liver?”

“No way.” She shook her head. No amount of coercion would convince her to choke down either one.

“Pickled beets?” he asked, smiling as if he had a million suggestions for her.

“I’ll enjoy those. They’re yummy.”

“Then it’s good I ordered those and neither of the first two.”

“You’re pretty smart, Daddy,” she said as he helped her out of the car.

“Thanks. To bed with you. I’ll put away all the delicious food I selected for us while you take a nap.”

“I just woke up from being unconscious. Do you really want me to go back to sleep?” she asked, appalled.

“How about resting while I tend to things out here, and then I’ll come curl up with you.”

“Promise?” she asked.

“You have my word.”

Chapter Nineteen

“Tiffanie! I’m so glad to see you,” Essie said, greeting her warmly as Phineas walked her up the stairs.

“I’m so sorry for everything, Essie,” Tiffanie said, returning Essie’s hug when her boss wrapped her in a fond embrace. “Someone made me stay home yesterday.” She pointedly glanced at Phineas, who stood behind her.

“Be good, or I’ll take you there today too,” Phineas said, without a hint of remorse in his voice.

“Of course he did!” Essie said as she stepped away. “I think collapsing and spending hours in the hospital unconscious requires at least one full day at home. Are you sure you’re okay to be here?”

“I am perfectly fine. Please let me work. Phineas is hovering like a mother hen.”

“I heard that, Princess,” Phineas said with a stern look.

“Maybe a Daddy hen,” Essie whispered under her breath. Immediately the two Little girls giggled. Tiffanie loved having someone to share the fun parts of her new lifestyle.

“Phineas, clue me in if I need to adjust anyone’s attitude,” Zander said from the doorway into the mansion.

Tiffanie and Essie whirled to see Essie’s handsome Daddy watching them with knowing eyes. “Oh, no, Daddy. I’m being a complete angel.”

“Right,” Zander said, drawing out that word to signal his doubt.

“Come on, Tiffanie. We should review those arrangements for the Blue Ribbon Knowledge Fair.” Essie grabbed her hand and led Tiffanie inside.

“Whew! I thought I was going to get a second spanking this morning,” Essie said before her cheeks turned pink as she realized what she was admitting.

The two women stopped before reaching Essie’s office. From the portrait, Edmund and Esther Ferguson seemed to watch them with a knowing gaze. A cold draft floated over her. Tiffanie straightened, staring up at them as she realized she experienced that chilled breeze often here.

“Edmund alerted me to help you right before you collapsed. He knew something was wrong,” Essie said to her friend.

“Really?” She expected to be spooked by that idea but didn’t. Instead, she felt warm for the first time in that spot. Like the two founders of Ferguson’s Folly had just embraced her.