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Fredo strolled through the doors carrying a tray of food and my hot chocolate, plus something more. There was a velvet box beside the plate. As he laid everything out, I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. Finally, Fredo passed it to me. “Mr. Draco asked me to surprise you with this atbreakfast.”
I licked my lips nervously as I prepared to push back the spring-loaded top. There, on the velvet, was a beautiful silver necklace with teardrop-shaped gray and black stone pendant. “What an unusual rock,” I commented while examiningit.
“It’s septarian, miss.” Fredo eyed me like I should know what that meant. “Some people call it dragonstone.”
I inhaled sharply and ran my finger over it. “This looks like it could be custom.” I flipped it over and found an inscription. “For Maggie with undying love and devotion, Blaise.” My brow furrowed in confusion. “How is thatpossible?”
“He ordered it from a private jeweler on Saturday. Mr. Draco planned to give it to you himself, but it arrived too late. He asked that you wear it.” Fredo motioned for the necklace. I passed it to him, then lifted my hair so he could help me fasten it. I laid my hand on it, felt the weight of it around my neck, the way my skin felt warmer, and I swear Blaise seemed closer. "Enjoy, miss." He nodded and disappeared back inside thehouse.
I felt absolutely speechless. Closing my eyes, I reveled in themoment.
My father cleared his throat. "This need you have to stay athome..."
My eyes flew open and fixed on him. "Whoa. My need?" I scowled. "I've been waiting on you hand and foot for years. I've been maintaining the house so you can work on your program, a program that apparently never should've beenbuilt."
"I haven't given up. I'm designing some fail-safes. I think I can make it innocuous enough for public distribution." There was a determined gleam in his eye that I'd seen many times over theyears.
"Okay. See what you can do. I'm here if you need me." Then I lifted my mug and sipped the most decadent hot chocolate of my life. "I'm never going to recover from my taste of this life," Iwhimpered.
From behind his paperwork, my father grumbled, "If you gave Mr. Draco a chance, you wouldn't haveto."
We ate in silence and when we were done, I picked up our plates despite Fredo’s protest. As I loaded them in the dishwasher, a bell rang. “What’s that?” Istiffened.
He stared out the kitchen window with a disapproving glare. “The gate. Avisitor.”
I peeked over his shoulder. “So why theface?”
Whipping around, he explained. “We don’t havevisitors.”
“Well, who is it?” I tried to see past him through the window and then squealed. “It’s akid!”
“Yes, I can see that, miss.” Fredofrowned.
“Let her in!” I danced aboutexcitedly.
“No. Mr. Draco wouldn’t approve.” He crossed his arms over hischest.
“Fine,” I grumbled. “I’ll go see what she wants.Better?”
He shook his head. “I wish youwouldn’t.”
I stood up on tiptoes and gave him a quick hug. “Look at that sweet, innocent face. See how she has a brochure in her hand? School fundraiser. I just know it.” I dried my hands on the dish towel. “Oh, I hope it’s the cookie doughone.”
“I’ll bake you cookies, miss. Please stay,” Fredopleaded.
I ignored him and continued thinking aloud. “Or maybe the candles. You can never have too many candles.” Then I darted out the front door into the courtyard feeling light and happy. I made sure to smile the whole way to the gate so she wouldn’t be afraid. “Hello, what brings you here?” I reached through the gate so she could pass me the papers in herhand.
“I have samples too.” She smiled proudly. Then her face fell. “They won’t fit through the gatethough.”
“It’s okay. Give me a second. There must be a button here somewhere.” I began looking around the column near the gate and finally found a hidden panel. When I popped it open, I discovered what I sought and pressed. “Jackpot! Just asecond.”
“Thank you.” She quicklydisappeared.
When I studied the papers, they were blank. Confused, I stepped through the opening in the gate to see where she’d gone. Behind me, there was ashout.
“Miss Maggie! No!” Fredo was racing across the courtyard towardme.
“What?” I frowned and turned to facehim.
