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A few moments later, I get the feeling someone is staring at me. I look around and catch Travis’s eye. He smiles at me and walks over.
“Hey, girls. What’s going on?”
“Just doing this stupid crossword puzzle.”
“OK, well, come find me when you’re finished. I’ll probably be in my office. I need to talk to you both.”
“Sure thing, Dad.” Mia and I look at each other as he walks away. “I wonder what he wants to talk to us about. I hope we’re not in trouble!” Mia giggles.
Curiosity gets the best of Mia, and she speeds through the rest of her crossword puzzle. We’re heading toward the kitchen when I feel a hand on my wrist. I turn to see who it is. Barb.
“Hey, Barb. What’s going on?”
“I’m looking for Travis. I thought if anyone would know where he is, it’d be one of you two. I was hoping to get a chance to thank him at dinner, but he slipped away.
“Dad’s in the office getting some work done. He gets cranky when interrupted, but I’ll tell him you’re looking for him.”
“Thanks, dear. Tell him he can find me in my room if I'm not in the living room.”
“Okey doke. I’ll be sure to tell him,” Mia says sweetly. Once Barb is out of earshot, she says, “Not! There’s no way I’m sending Dad up to her room!”
“Yeah, she comes on a little strong, huh?”
“More than a little. Dad told me about your plan. I think it’s a good one.” Mia winks at me.
“Let’s go see what he wants.”
“Ladies, come on in. Close the door.” Travis ushers us in. “Pony Cottage is still out of commission. I didn’t have a chance to get in there today, and I doubt I will tomorrow.”
“What happened to Pony Cottage?” asks Mia.
“Oh right, you were at school this morning. The shower blew a gasket or something and flooded the place. I have to keep the water off until I can get in there.”
“Oh, no! So where is Ava going to stay? In one of the guest rooms with the ladies?”
“No, all the guest rooms are in use.”
“She can stay in my room! We can have a slumber party!” Mia says excitedly.
“That’s very sweet of you, Mia, but no. I’m going to give Ava my room, and I’ll sleep on our couch.”
“No, give me the couch. I couldn’t possibly take your bedroom,” I interject.
“I insist. You’re a guest here; I won’t let you sleep on a couch.”
“I really don’t mind.”
“I do,” Travis says sternly.
“Don’t argue with him; you won’t win,” Mia says.
“OK, well, just for tonight. I can always leave and come back after the ladies are gone.”
“NO!” Travis and Mia yell at the same time.
“Ok, ok, sorry.”
“OK, Mia, time for you to get ready for bed. I’m going to get some things out of my room, and then I’ll come say good night. Ava, Trina already changed the sheets and put your stuff in there.”
