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“No, your lot never do.”
He sighs again. “Ophelia is a little young for her age, and Ethan’s a little old for his.”
I follow his gaze to watch Ophelia disappear inside, seeing Ethan’s hand on her lower back.
“Look, I’d appreciate the help, Silas, and would be happy to compensate you.” He reaches into his pocket to take out his wallet.
“No need for that,” I say tightly. To people like the Foxes and the Harts, we can all be bought. “I’ll look out for her,” I say, not liking Ethan anywhere near her any more than Hart does. I never did mention the swimming lessons, and I’m pretty sure Ophelia didn’t either.
“Thank you. How’s Mom, by the way? I heard she was under the weather.”
“She’s getting better. Bad cold.”
“Glad to hear that but not so happy to see her working through it, to be honest.”
“You think I didn’t tell her as much?” My mother can be stubborn.
“I’m sure you did, knowing Esmerelda.” He chuckles. “Let her know I was checking on her, will you?”
“Will do.”
“Ready to charm them, Horatio?” Fox asks as he approaches. Mira follows as she slips her arms into her coat, which I have a feeling cost more than they pay Mom in a month.
“Ready,” Hart says, adjusting his expression at their approach.
The three of them disappear, Mrs. Fox giving me a sneer over her shoulder before she vanishes. I pick up the debris from the lights, which I admit look pretty good. I head to the cottage to shower. I wave to Mom, who is in the kitchen of the main house making popcorn for the kids.
Kids.
Ethan Fox hasn’t been a kid for a long time. I don’t like how he looks at Ophelia. She may be sixteen, but she’s too young and way too good for him.
By the time I’m finished with my shower, Mom is back at the cottage making a cup of tea.
“I’m tired today, Silas.”
“You do too much,” I tell her, kissing the top of her head. “They can afford to hire a housekeeper that’s notyou or a cook that’s not you or someone to do their dirty laundry that’s not you. You don’t have to do it all.”
“You just worry about school, sweetheart. Get your degree, and we’ll talk then. I can handle another six months.”
I shake my head. “I’m going to go check on Ophelia.”
She raises her eyebrows.
“Mr. Hart asked me to keep an eye on her. She’s with Ethan.”
The corners of her mouth turn down and she nods. “I think that’s a good idea. I’ll warm up your dinner.”
“I can do that when I’m back. Relax. Put your feet up.”
“Thank you, Silas,” she says, reaching up to kiss me on the top of my head. She’s always done that since I can remember but now, I have to bend down for her to reach.
I walk back across the yard to the main house. Mom and I use the glass doors that lead right into the living room since it’s closest. I pull them open and enter the dimly lit house, heading downstairs to the theater that seats twelve. Thick carpet masks the sound of my approach, although I tell myself I’m not sneaking. I just want to make sure Ethan knows where to keep his hands, which is off Ophelia.
They must be watching an action movie from the sounds of it. I get to the door, open it a crack and am greeted by the roar of a dinosaur. I roll my eyes andpush the door farther to peer into the darkened room. The door is at the back of the room, so I should see their heads, but I see nothing. So, I go inside and walk down toward the front. I can smell popcorn and I see an empty beer bottle, but Ethan and Ophelia are not here.
I walk back out of the room, my steps hurried, and head up the stairs to the first floor, then bypass that when I hear music. I glance up at the light beneath Ethan’s bedroom door, and take the steps two at a time.
I hear Ophelia mutter something but can’t make out what and when I try the door, I find it locked.
