Page 46 of Manors & Mischief

Before answering, I peer over at Devon who is answering questions thrown at him by a younger couple. He seems to be in his element, like he was all night.

“You’re not giving up the goods, are you?”

I chuckle. “There’s really nothing to say. It went really well. Devon stole the show. People seemed to love us.”

“Us,” she echoes. “It certainly has a nice ring to it.”

It isn’t the first time Bea has expressed an interest in Devon and I getting together. Maybe it’s even the reason why I first entertained the idea, but his sour puss mood put an end to that. Lately, though, things have been different. He’s been eager to help, stepping up even when he wasn’t asked. He seems genuinely concerned about the manor…and me.

“We make a good team,” I admit.

Her eyes flash, and I know what she’s thinking. My gaze drifts back toward Devon who’s now having a conversation with Travis while he refills our salsa.

“That’s a little progress,” Bea says slowly. “It’s better than the outright no you used to give me.”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I don’t think he’s all that interested, really. I might have thought about certain things,” I say, playing coy. “But I did up and take his dream from him.”

“Certain things, huh?”

She raises her eyebrows in quick succession like some sort of cartoon character.

“I mean…” I gesture toward him, but I stop immediately when he catches me doing it.

“What?” he asks.

“Nothing,” Bea and I say at the same time which makes us dissolve into alcohol-fueled giggles.

He rolls his eyes.

“You know, Devon used to be quite the theater actor.”

I slap the table. “I knew it! He’s out there making me think he’s just a natural at everything, but he’s been trained.”

“I didn’t say I was a natural,” he protests.

I wave my hand at him as if to shoo him away. “You could’ve said you were in theater. Here I am with a complex all night because I suck at acting. I’m just mimicking the motions, and very badly, I might add.” I make the gesture like I’m throwing a penny into the well, and Bea bursts out laughing. “All this time I was working with a ringer. I don’t think I can trust you again, Devon Lachey.”

Before he can answer, his mother comes up behind him and hugs his neck. “You are the talk of the town. Everyone loves Sleepy Hollow Manor. They can’t stop talking about it. About both of you!”

She glides over to me, hugging my own neck as I move my drink away so it doesn’t spill. “This is the best marketing you could do for the manor, Ember. I’m so happy for you. I’ve had more people ask about your two events than anything else that will happen during the Fall Spectacular. Which is sort of annoying, but at the same time, couldn’t be happier for you, Dear. By the way, you look absolutely stunning. Horrendously stunning.”

Somehow, even though her comment is a little sugar and spice, it’s completely true to her personality. “Thanks, Mrs. Lachey.”

“We know how it is in Harvest Falls,” Devon offers, trailing away at the end and peering at everyone expectantly.

“If one of us does well, we all do well,” Bea, Devon, and Trav, who’s come back with a new beer for me, say in unison like they’ve rehearsed it a dozen times.

“I’ll have to remember that one.”

“Well, you’re a part of the Harvest Falls family now,” Mrs. Lachey says. “You’ll get the hang of it. Ooh, also, Rose told me you’re going to have a proposal for me soon. I can’t wait to read it! She seems very excited.”

I’m bursting at the seams to tell her about the Children’s Haunted House idea when she spots someone else she wants to talk to and hurries off.

“She does that a lot,” Devon says when he sees my face after I almost start talking to empty air.

“She’s quick,” I comment.

“So, Ember, when are you going to invite me over for a Halloween movie marathon at the manor? I want to scare myself stupid and stay up all night watching the shadows.”