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“Oh, I get what you’re saying.” She followed her words with a light, lilting laugh. “You probably think I’m so weird, just running up to you and giving you a great, big hug when you don’t even know who I am.”
“Are you Pearl?” I asked.
As soon as the question left my mouth, I knew that it was wrong. The young woman in front of me, as friendly as she was, just seemed a bitoff—not a trait I’d expect in someone who was in charge of running an entire estate. Not to mention the matter of her striking resemblance to Logan.
“Pearl? You thinkI’mPearl?” Another laugh followed, her hand going to her mouth. “IwishI was as smart as Pearl. She’ssogood at her job. She hassomuch stuff in her head all at once…” she shook her head in disbelief. “I have no idea how she does it all.” She smiled again. “I’m Marianne, Logan’s little sister. And you’re Emily, right?”
“That’s me.” I allowed myself an easy smile, a bit of relief taking hold now that I knew who I was talking to. “So nice to meet you, Marianne.”
Marianne was so excited that all she could do was squeeze her hands into fists and let out a happy squeal. Her eyes lit up, as if she’d realized something.
“Do you want to see what I’m drawing?”
“I’d love to.”
“Come on!” She took my hand and guided me over to the bench where she’d left her sketchbook. Once there, she picked it up and held it in front of me with two hands.
The drawing was amazing. It was of one of the trees ahead, the palm rendered in perfect, photorealistic detail, all the waydown to the texture of the leaves and the palm fronds. I couldn’t believe what I was looking at.
“Marianne, this isincredible. How long did it take you to do this?”
She pursed her lips and looked away, giving the matter a bit of thought.
“Hm. Well, I just woke up from a nap an hour or so ago. Then I had my lunch. Then I came out here. So… twenty minutes?”
“You madethisin only twenty minutes? That’s so good!”
Marianne’s eyes lit up even more. “You really like it?” Without a moment’s hesitation, she ripped the page out of the book, folded it in half, and handed it over. “Then you can have it! I mean, if you want it, that is.”
I took the drawing, giving myself another second or two to admire how incredible it was before folding it back in half and tucking it into my pocket.
“Thank you so much. I haven’t seen my room yet, but I have a feeling I’m going to need to decorate it. This’ll be perfect for that.”
“I’m glad you like it. If you want me to draw anything else, just let me know, OK?”
“I will.”
Before either of us could say another word, a voice spoke from behind me.
“Now, Marianne, are you being nice to our new guest?”
Marianne’s eyes lit up once more. “Of course, I am!”
I turned around to see a stout, serious-faced woman with swept-back graying hair. She stood with her hands on her hips, the universal pose for “no nonsense.” She projected an air of authority, intelligence, and competence. There was no doubt in my mind that I was looking at Pearl.
“You’re Emily, I assume,” Pearl said coming over to me and offering her hand.
“That’s right. And while we’re assuming, are you Pearl?”
A small smile broke the seriousness on her face that let me know she wasn’t all business.
“You got it,” she said. “Pearl Shepard—the caretaker for this oversized estate where you’ve found yourself. Pleasure to meet you. So, I’m going to guess that our humble host didn’t bother to show you around the place?”
I chuckled. “Sorry to laugh. Just that there are a lot of words I’d use to describe Logan, buthumbleisn’t one of them.”
Pearl laughed along with me. “Nothing like a little comedic irony to start the tour. So, the crew has your bags in your room. I’ll finish up the tour there since I’m sure you’re ready for a little rest.”
“You’re right about that. But I’m really eager to see this place.”
