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I wanted more, but I was flying on caffeine from breakfast and from the coffee shop. “Later, I think. All right, I’m heading out. I want to see how Bran and May are doing this morning.”
“Give them my love,” Bree said. “I’m going to take Atlas and Oscar to the dog park. This entire farce has soured me on dealing with clients. I’m not having fun right now, and while work isn’t always about having fun, it’s hard to create something you love and have someone try to destroy it because they’re an asshole.”
I stood and gave her a hug. “The lawyers will help you out. Grams hires the best, and it sounds like you have everything you need to sink them.”
She stopped to buy another drink, and I headed for home.
* * *
I passed my driveway and drove straight down May’s. As I approached the house and stepped out of my car, I could smell the heavy pall of smoke that still filled the air. I darted up to the door and knocked, and May answered, looking tired. She was wearing jeans and a flannel shirt, and I could smell the smoke on her.
“I thought I’d come check how you are.” I started to give her a hug, but she held out her hand.
“No, child. I’m grungy. I’ve been out to the barn, watching the investigators. They finished about half an hour ago and now Bran and I are going through the remains, seeing if there’s anything to salvage.” She sighed. “I came back to the house to get gloves and a couple of water bottles. I’m just grateful the rain is holding off. It’s such a mess out there and the rain’s going to make everything a soggy junk pile.”
“I can go home and change and come help,” I offered.
“Oh my dear, that’s so sweet of you, but Bran’s recruited a few of his farmer friends and they’re coming over in an hour to sort through things. You’re welcome to come, but I know you have the wake tomorrow and you may need time to get ready.”
I didn’t want to think about the wake, though I felt guilty for my feelings. Cousin Owen deserved more than my grudging participation. But I had the sneaking suspicion my aunt was going to ask me to make a speech, so I’d be smart to write one, just in case.
“All right,” I murmured. “But if you need me, just call.” I gave her a kiss on the cheek despite her protests. “I’ve smelled worse, trust me.”
As I returned to my car and eased out of the driveway, the clouds opened and it began to pour. I thought of May and Bran, wishing the weather gods would be kind, for once. But they weren’t listening to any of us.
* * *
Grams was waiting for me, a worried look on her face. “I’m glad you’re home.”
“I stopped to see May and Bran. They’re salvaging the barn. The fire marshal finished his inspection, though I’m not certain what his findings were. I imagine they’ll get the official word in the next day or so.” I kicked off my shoes and settled down on the sofa. “It’s raining cats and dogs out there—just in time to make it miserable for Bran and May. I offered to…What?” I could feel Grams’s agitation—it rolled off her like the smoke scent had rolled off May.
“Someone hammered on the door about forty minutes ago. I was busy and didn’t hear them at first. By the time Fancypants told me, they were gone when I answered. I found that,” she said, pointing to a box on the coffee table. It was about the size and shape of a candy box, wrapped in brown paper.
“What is it? Who is it from?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” Grams watched the package cautiously. “It makes me uneasy, though. I’m not entirely sure whether that’s because of all that’s been happening, or what.”
I sighed. “Yeah, it could freaking explode, for all that I know.” I didn’t want to touch it, but I didn’t want it in the house either. “Okay, everybody clear the living room. I’m taking this outside to open.”
Grams started to protest but I shook my head, so she gathered up Silver and Gem and headed into the kitchen.
“You too, dude.” I stared at Fancypants.
“I don’t think so. We’re bonded. If you blow up, I’ll pine away anyway. I’d rather go with you, if you’re going to go.”
Fancypants gave me such a gentle, honest look that I froze. The thought of being without him hurt. It pained me to imagine him being out of my life, and I was just realizing that he felt the same way. I reached out and he landed on my arm.
“Okay, little guy. Let’s go take a look at what’s in this.” I picked up the box and gently walked toward the door. Whatever it was, it was lightweight. When we got outside, I cautiously walked over to the shop and unlocked the door. “We might as well be out of the rain.”
I set the box down on the counter and asked Fancypants to sit near the door. “If something nasty appears, take a quick hike outside. Promise me.”
He stared at me for a moment, then quietly nodded. “All right, but please, be careful.”
“Trust me, I’ll do my best.”
As he neared the door, I cautiously sliced through the tape, and peeled away the grocery-store bags that had been used to wrap the box. A moment later, the box was sitting there, unwrapped. It was a cardboard box that looked like it had held a ream of paper. I cut the tape holding it shut and opened the flaps.
As I did so, I caught sight of something I hadn’t expected to see, and it stopped me short. I gently reached in and lifted the silver frame. The picture was an eight-by-ten, and it was one I had forgotten until now. It was of my cousin Owen and me, when we were teenagers. He looked so happy, so full of hope, and I had been smiling in a way I’d forgotten how to. Innocence—that’s what our faces reflected.
