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“You have work to do,” Barrett replied. “You know what she means. You’re all in Madison. Not an invite to come to my house.”
“Barrett”—Annette’s voice sounded angry—“our son is always welcome at his home.”
“He eats our food and puts his feet on the goddamn furniture like he owns the place.”
“Barrett!” Maeme scolded. “The Lord’s name is never to be used in vain at my house. You know that.”
My gaze swung back to the door that King had walked through with Lela. I wondered who Birdie was and how long he would be gone. Then, I realized I was obsessing over it and tried to shut it out. This wasn’t my business. I had to remember not to dwell on King and what he did.
Conversation picked up again, and I took another bite of my food. The waffles were as delicious as King had promised, but I found myself missing my cottage, the more I sat there. I felt out of place. I kept my head down and finished my food, surprising myself with how much I had eaten. When King came back in the room, I heard him talking, but I didn’t look at him—or anyone for that matter.
“Ready to go check out the library?” King asked close to my ear.
I jerked my head, snapping up from being startled. I hadn’t known he had stood up, much less was behind me.
“Don’t scare her to death,” Maeme snapped at him. “Sneaking up on folks.”
I took the napkin from my lap and placed it on the empty plate, then stood up.
When I reached to pick up my plate, Maeme placed her hand over it. “No. Leave it. You go on with King and pick out as many books as you’d like. That library needs to be put to use.”
Ready to escape the room, I thanked her for the meal, then followed King from the room. This time, he didn’t touch my back, and I found that I missed that. When he had done it earlier, I’d felt secure. I couldn’t blame him for being careful not to touch me this time. I’d all but mauled him when Storm arrived. He was probably afraid I’d do it again.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked as we crossed the foyer and made our way over to the other side of the house.
I hadn’t enjoyed it, but I’d survived, unscathed.
“It was a lovely meal,” I replied.
“Sitting beside Annette was purposely organized by Maeme. She’s good with reading people and knowing what makes them comfortable.”
I thought back to the meal, and I could see that. She hadn’t pushed too much and had been careful to give me space, but not make me feel unwelcome.
“Whereas Luella—she was the blonde across from me, Wells’s mom—she’s got no fucking filter. Clueless to anyone else or anything unless it affects her.”
I hadn’t studied the table closely, but I had listened to conversations. I knew who he was talking about simply because her voice stood out. She’d been louder and very focused on herself.
“Annette was very nice,” I agreed.
King shot me a crooked grin, then opened the door we had stopped at. When he stepped back and waved his hand for me to enter, my eyes locked on the inside. Books covered the walls from floor to ceiling. There was even one of those rolling ladders attached so that you could reach the top shelf.
“This is amazing,” I breathed as I went past him and into the library.
Inhaling deeply, I felt a smile spread across my face so big that it hurt my still-sore lip. I didn’t care. I was happy. I was ecstatic. There were thousands of books in here. It would take me a decade to get through all of them. Not that I would be here that long, but the thought of a never-ending supply was the most wonderful thing I could think of.
“Fuck,” King muttered, and I spun around to see what was wrong.
He was studying me with a stunned look on his face. I wondered if my lip had started to bleed and reached up to check, but it felt fine.
“This makes you happy,” he said, and then a soft expression touched his face.
I nodded. “Yes, it does.” I let my eyes wander over the titles and colorful bindings. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Yeah,” he whispered, then cleared his throat. “Go on and take as much time as you’d like. Stay all day if you want to. If I’m gone when you’re done, Maeme will drive you back.”
Before I could respond, he was almost out the door. I opened my mouth to thank him and say goodbye, but he was already closing it behind him.
Had I done something wrong? Or was he just in a hurry?
