Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
“I’m so sorry,” Blythe said immediately. “You can relate to these children, then.” She gestured around the room at the silent watchers.
“I had no idea they weren’t Viktor’s biological children,” Mila admitted. “It never occurred to me that he had taken in victims of human trafficking.” She frowned as she replaced the delicate cup in the saucer. “The tea is excellent, Blythe.”
“Thank you. Tea is so calming. My mother was . . . difficult. She murdered my unborn daughter in a drunken fit of rage, and I’ve had to come to terms with the way I handle my temper. I never want to be like her. Never. I meditate. Run.” She gestured toward the glass wall where the porch housed her spinning wheel. “I spin my own yarn. And I love to experiment with various teas to get them just right.”
Mila lifted her chin and looked straight at Darby. “How is she at handling her temper? What kinds of work are you all expected to do? Are you given to the club members to entertain them?”
Darby and her sisters looked not only shocked but angry. “No way. They rescued us from that kind of thing. They protect us,” Darby snapped. “We’re loved here and treated as members of a loving family. We have our own rooms that we clean, like pick up our clothes. I can do my own laundry, but Blythe helps the girls with theirs. Kenny can do his, but Blythe does Jimmy’s. She cleans the house. We help if we’re not in school. We love our classes, if you’re going to ask about that. No one hits us. Since I’ve been in this home, I’ve never been struck. No one raises their voice to us. The entire club protects us, but Blythe and Czar love us and treat us as their own children.”
Kenny nodded. “They rescued me from a situation I never would have lived through. I was practically forced on Blythe, but she didn’t even flinch. She took me on when I had a chip on my shoulder. I hadn’t gone to school in years, and she tutored me herself to help me catch up.” He smiled at Darby. “Darby helped me too.”
“I did too,” Zoe said.
“Yeah, you did.” There was affection in Kenny’s voice as he ruffled Zoe’s hair.
Ambrielle loved the fact that the children were interacting so naturally in front of Mila. She’d asked for it too. It was clear from her expression she hadn’t expected the answer she got from Darby or the additional information from Kenny. The idea of the children all being human trafficking victims had thrown her.
Mila sipped at her tea until it was gone. She placed her cup in the saucer again and looked at Blythe. “I would very much like another cup of that delicious tea. Perhaps a scone to go with it. Did you make them yourself, or are these from the Floating Hat everyone seems to talk about so much? I have yet to go there, but I plan on it very soon.”
Blythe rose immediately. “Let me make a fresh pot. I like my tea very hot.” As she walked away, she continued the conversation. “Hannah and Sabelia at the Floating Hat make excellent scones. You’ll have to try their apricot scones if you like apricot. They’re so good. I do like to bake, especially treats that go with tea, so I made these scones. I’m pleased that you’re enjoying them.”
“The fresh berries are particularly wonderful,” Mila said, “but I can’t place them. What are they?”
“Olallieberry. The berries grow here, and if the bears don’t get them first, we pick them fast so we can make pies, scones and cobblers.”
“Bears?”
“The forest is right behind us. We have brown bears. They aren’t as scary as the mountain lions,” Blythe revealed. “The bears tend to stay on the same routes and don’t come near our homes. Mountain lions, on the other hand, are unpredictable. We have to watch for signs of them getting close.”
The teakettle whistled. “It’s amazing that you’re so unafraid that you’d go running.” There was a note that said Mila didn’t quite believe Blythe.
“Nearly every night for the last five years,” Blythe confirmed.
“This is insane,” Titus snapped. “Get it over with, Mila. I don’t understand what you’re waiting for. The longer we’re here, the more we have to worry that someone else will show up.”
Mila spun around, scowling at Titus. “Don’t embarrass me,” she hissed, sounding like the viper she had on her finger. “I’m doing this my way. I’ve waited years and I’m not just going to be fast about it. I’m waiting for Viktor.”
“Since we’re waiting for Viktor, Titus, can I offer you tea or coffee? I can make both the Russian way.”
For the first time, Titus looked interested. “You can?”
Blythe nodded. “Yes, both. Viktor prefers them made that way, so I learned. Which would you prefer?”