Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 94585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“Just today,” Sterling answered in the same tone. “Anything you want to add?”
Parker contemplated the flames. “Is that the skirt of your debutante gown I see?”
“It is,” Sterling said, her lips curving into a wide smile. I couldn't remember if I'd ever seen her smile like that before, as if a weight had lifted from her heart. “I hated wearing that dress. Hated the creepy guy Dad set me up with, and all the manners, and rules, and people giving me the side-eye because they said my mom was trash and so was I. I like the dress much better now that it's on fire.”
“You looked beautiful for your debut, but I agree. It looks better on fire.” Another moment of silence before Parker said, “Excuse me,” and headed back inside.
I figured that would be the last we'd see of her until Sterling murmured, “I wonder what she wants to burn?”
I was distracted from Sterling's question by the sight of Hawk Bristol—our head of security and head groundskeeper—storming around the corner of the house. “Griffen, what the fuck? We don't have enough security problems without you setting a huge fire in the middle of the lawn?”
Griffen shrugged a shoulder. “We've had plenty of rain and the fire isn't close to the woods or the house. You can grab a hose if it makes you feel better, but I think the rest of us just want to watch this fucker burn.”
Hawk scanned the group of us, and I wished for one crazy moment that Tenn, Avery, Quinn, and Brax were here, too. I had no doubt they had their own memories they'd like to burn to ash.
Parker came striding out of the house, her sleek blond hair streaming behind her, her arms overflowing with white satin and tulle. She tossed the mound of fabric into the fire where the flames licked and consumed, flaring higher as they devoured her contribution to rebellion.
Parker took a spot next to Sterling, wrapping an arm around her younger sister's shoulders. “I always hated my deb dress, too.”
Sterling looked up at Parker, her eyes wide. “Really? You looked like the perfect princess. I was overblown. Too obvious.”
She gestured to her figure, as lush and abundant as her mother's had been, even when she'd been a young teenager. “I looked like a porn star wrapped up in satin, but you were like a porcelain doll.”
Parker snorted. I didn't think I'd ever heard her make such an inelegant sound. She tightened her arm around Sterling and shook her head.
“I felt like a porcelain doll. I smiled and behaved myself and did what I was supposed to because that was the best way to keep Prentice's attention off me, but I didn't feel like the perfect princess. I felt like a tool. I think that's why I got married before I graduated from college. I didn't want to come back here.” She looked back up at the house where her husband had disappeared. “I thought it would be an escape.”
“But it wasn't?” Sterling asked quietly, her eyes on Parker's face and the shadows that hid there.
Parker only sighed and watched the fire burn.
The air smelled of burnt hair and chemicals. Not quite as comforting as a campfire. Now that the stench really hit me, I rethought my plan to find marshmallows.
A throat cleared and I turned to see Daisy standing there, a covered dish in her hands and a confused look on her face. In the late afternoon sun, her cherry-cola hair was a burst of color, streaks of hot pink and auburn twined together, her curls pulled back with a wide band to bare her face.
Hope was behind her, wide eyes taking in the scene. Hope looked far better than she had the last time I'd seen her, her face rosy with health instead of green. She must have had a good nap.
“What's going on? Is that a bear on fire? And curtains?” Daisy looked up at me. “What are you guys doing?”
“Just a little spring cleaning,” I said.
“Are you sure that isn't going to reach the woods?” She eyed the flames nervously.
“Hawk went to get a hose, but I think we’re clear. There isn't any wind.”
I'd thought Hope would head straight for Griffen, but she stood behind Daisy, typing on her phone. Maybe sensing my attention, she looked up. “You should take Daisy for a walk in the gardens.”
The three of us looked behind me into the mostly dead, very overgrown remains of Heartstone Manor's formal gardens. Hope gave me a pointed look. She was up to something. I didn't know what, but I couldn't wait to find out.
“That's a great idea, Hope.” I hooked my arm through Daisy's elbow, steering her in the direction of the gravel path to the gardens. “Did you stop by to see me?” I asked, hoping the answer was yes.