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“I’d turn around, but I’ve got the dog with me. Why don’t you come up? I’ll buy you the decaffeinated beverage of your choice.”
“Love it, thanks. I’ll see you in a few.”
While Sonya chose happy daffodils for Cleo’s room, Cleo pulled up in front of the manor.
As she didn’t see Sonya’s car, she considered the wisdom of her one-day-early surprise. With a shrug, she decided she’d just haul some of her things to the front door, then send Sonya a text.
She muscled out a suitcase, pleased that spring teased the air instead of winter biting it. If Sonya planned to come back soon, she’d wait. If she planned not, well, she’d just drive down to the village and do some exploring until.
After dragging the suitcase to the door, it opened.
“Hey. I didn’t think you were home, I…”
Sonya didn’t stand there. No one did.
She hesitated, then squared her shoulders. She’d live here, so she’d better get used to it. When she walked in, the music pumped. Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s “Welcome Back.”
“I’ll take that as a good sign.”
As a precaution, she propped her suitcase against the door. It weighed a ton because she had a ton of clothes. And wasn’t sorry.
She hauled her second one, then her weekender, then the last of her boxes before shutting the door.
She looked at the staircase, looked at her suitcases. Sighed.
She still wasn’t sorry.
She’d pulled, yanked, carried the first to the landing when the banging started.
And the servant’s door creaked open.
She heard the bell, dim but insistent. She stepped toward it.
Chapter Twenty-three
Sonya spotted Cleo’s car when she made the turn, and everything in her lit up bright.
She pulled up, jumped out. She expected to see suitcases, boxes when she peered in.
“Either you bought a second car or you already have company.”
Anna walked over to Sonya.
“It’s Cleo’s. I didn’t expect her until tomorrow.”
“The friend who’s moving in. What a nice surprise. Listen, I’ll take off, leave you two alone to get her settled in. We can do this later.”
“No, come in.” From her car, Sonya grabbed the flowers and grocery bags. “You should meet her. Wherever she is. She must be inside. I don’t know how because I always lock up when I leave.”
They walked to the house together.
“See?” At the locked door, Sonya took out her key. Yoda raced in first and sniffed at the suitcases.
“Her things. Cleo!” Her voice just echoed back. “Hell with that.” Taking out her phone, she texted.
Where are you?
The response took a minute.
