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“The inspector is supposed to come back,” I said.
He grabbed the cereal box off the counter. “I doubt he will, now that I’m working for my father.”
“So that was connected?” I pushed the milk toward him as he sat.
“I don’t have proof, but my guess is yes.” The cereal tinkled in the ceramic bowl as he poured. “Cassano’s widow, Ellen. If I could get her to come by, would you mind if she spent some time with the dogs? I think it would be a good distraction. Might make her feel better.”
“Absolutely,” I said, well aware of the power of healing these dogs had. They couldn’t take away the loss, but they could definitely lift her spirits.
“Bet you anything, she’ll fall in love with one of these mutts.” Miss Adeline petted Lucky affectionately. His leg was healing nicely, even though it seemed like we’d rescued the dogs from the track in New Jersey a lifetime ago.
“Who wouldn’t?”
Ash had her head resting on Teague’s lap. The sweet girl wasn’t even looking for crumbs. She was so attached to him.
“She can’t have that one.” Miss Adeline motioned toward Ash.
Teague nodded in agreement then flicked his chin at my full cereal bowl. “You’d rather have Lucky Charms?”
I held up the envelope. “Lost my appetite.”
“What’s in there?”
“She wouldn’t know. She won’t open it and won’t let me, but she won’t throw it away either.” Miss Adeline had a way of putting things in perspective.
I closed my eyes and yanked on the pull tab. The ripping sound of the cardboard did nothing to ease my nerves.
Miss Adeline put her hand on mine. “Remember. This changes nothing.”
“I know.” But I wasn’t so sure.
I pulled out a thick piece of paper. Only one page was inside on an attorney’s letterhead.
I hesitated before I let my eyes drift down the page any farther.Nothing changes.
I skimmed past the salutation and only made it to the first sentence.
The paper crinkled as I clutched it with both hands.
“My aunt and my parents died.” The words were yanked from my throat. “In a fire.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Teague
Pepper shookas she held the letter.
“I thought your parents were already dead,” Miss Adeline said sharply.
“So did I,” Pepper whispered.
I dropped my spoon and reached across the table for her hand. “I—” Sorry wasn’t adequate. I didn’t want to be that person who said the word to her.
The letter floated to the table. She placed her hand in mine. It trembled as I squeezed.
Miss Adeline snatched the paper, and Pepper reached for her with her free hand. I liked that she wasn’t afraid to show us what she needed.
With every second that passed, Miss Adeline’s face shifted from hard to angry to outrage.
