Page 105 of Joey

He clenches his jaw and turns his back to me. Walks over to the window. “I think you and I should see her alone.”

I look at Wald. He shrugs. Huck says nothing. Brooke says, “Can we go outside for a walk? I’d like to see your gardens.” And I’m instantly reminded that she can read a room and work it better than anyone I’ve ever met.

Michael turns to look at her. Then Huck. Then Wald. And finally lands on me.

We’re intimidating. And I’m not saying that Michael Conner is someone who cowers by any means. I’m just saying that Wald Wynn, Huck Newtown, Joey Boston, and Brooke Alder have a presence. We take up space in a room. We’re like a wall. As solid as the stone this mansion is made of.

And I don’t think he was expecting that.

“Of course,” Michael says in a low voice. “Make yourself at home. They’re really quite beautiful in the summer.”

Brooke looks at me, then takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. “You’ll be OK,” she says, nodding. “We’ll be right outside if you need us.”

Huck grabs my shoulder and squeezes it. Wald sizes up Michael and then turns to follow Huck and Brooke out the way we came.

And then it’s just us.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX - BROOKE

The Thomas guy is waiting in the hallway when we leave Joey with his new nemesis. “We’re going outside to the gardens,” Wald tells him. “Can you show us the way?”

“Follow me, please,” Thomas says with a smile.

It’s kind of a ridiculous ask. Can you show us the way? But necessary. Because this place is the size of a small town. I didn’t even know there were gardens, I just assumed. Because I didn’t see any driving up and there were none in view out that huge window back there.

“That Conner guy is a prick,” Huck mumbles.

“Quiet,” Wald cautions in a low voice. “This isn’t about us. Don’t antagonize people, Huck. It won’t help matters.”

“There’s gonna be a fight, isn’t there?” I ask.

“Did you really imagine it any other way?” Wald asks. “People get attached to their children.”

“Not all people,” I say.

Huck takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. And I’m suddenly so relieved that they are here with us. Because the original plan was for Joey and I to come alone. Where would I be right now if that was the case?

I shudder.

We stop at a wall of French doors. That’s the only way to describe it. Six sets of them lined up on the far side of a large room. All leading out to the same large expanse of terrace. And beyond that, yes. Gardens. The kind of gardens you see on the grounds of British palaces. Or museums. Or… castles. Like this one.

“There are several of them. If you follow the path to the right it will lead you to the garden loop and you’ll get a good view of all the gardens from that vantage point. Just watch out for horses. The Kane girls are riding today.”

“Of course,” Wald says. “And thank you.”

Thomas looks at Huck and I. Specifically at our hands, which are still clasped together. Then he nods and backs away.

“Shall we?” Wald sighs.

So we shall.

We go outside and walk down about two dozen stone steps. They are long steps. More of a staircase, if you will. And they lead to a path covered in smooth, round pea pebbles that crunch under my feet as we head to the right. The garden loop it is.

“So…” Wald says, breaking our silence.

“Yeah,” Huck says. “I mean, I knew they had money, but for fuck’s sake. Hide a little bit of it, at least.”

“Right?” Wald laughs.