Page 35 of My Inherited House Might be Haunted

“That sounds splendid. Pepper, come down. We must help him pack.”

I set her down, then led the way into my bedroom. Let me tell you, five Brownies can pack you in a minute flat. I barely got a word in edgewise. Then I gathered everyone up and loaded them into the car. I debated calling Rhett to give him a heads-up, but this was one of those moments where I really wanted to surprise him. His reaction was sure to be kodak gold.

I drove back to his house, slinging my duffle bag over my shoulder and carrying Pepper in because if she had a history of getting lost, I wasn’t leaving any opportunities open.

Myst opened the door for us—now when did he learn to open doors?—and we waltzed right in like we owned the place.

“Rhett!” I called. “I bring visitors!”

Rhett popped out of the study, his great-aunt’s instruction manual/journal in his hand. He must have been reading while I was out. His eyes flew wide at the sight of five Brownies, jaw dropping. Dammit, I should have had my phone in hand. It really was priceless seeing how stunned he was.

I gave myself a second to enjoy the sight before explaining.

“This is Pepper’s family. She was separated from them while they were looking for your house. They’d heard it was a safe house to be.”

“Oh! Oh, right, sure.” Rhett came in closer, going down on one knee and offering a hand. “Hi, I’m Rhett.”

Grey reached up to clasp a finger and shake. “Grey. This is my wife, River. My daughter Willow and my son-in-law, Woods. Calix said you knew our Pepper.”

“I sure do. Well, I know of her. She helped me with my familiars once. Hi, Pepper.”

Pepper gave him a shy wave and smile.

Grey straightened, turning very businesslike. “Sir Mage. We would like to offer our services.”

Oh wow. He wasn’t wasting any time.

I opened my mouth to coach Rhett on how to respond, but he wasn’t looking at me.

“I believe I understand what you’re offering. As long as I provide room and board, you’ll clean and maintain the house, is that right?”

“That is correct.”

“That’s an amazing offer. Honestly, this house is a bit big for me to manage on my own, especially when I have the shop, too.”

“You have a shop?” Willow stepped up next to her father, sounding intrigued.

“I sure do. Right next to Calix’s shop, actually.”

The Brownies all looked at each other, a silent conversation going on between them. Then Grey nodded, like he was in agreement, and turned back to Rhett.

“We will clean and maintain your shop as well. Calix’s apartment and shop are already under contract with us, so it won’t be hard.”

“That seems like…a lot. Even with five of you. It actually feels unfair, in a way.”

Rhett glanced up at me, and I encouraged him with a silent wave of the fingers. He was doing fine. I clearly did not need to give my input.

“How about this? You can choose which bedrooms you want as your own upstairs. Mine is the back bedroom, the one overlooking the garden, but the others are yours to do as you like.”

Grey did a double take. “You’ll give us a whole room?!”

“Rooms,” Rhett corrected, emphasizing thes. “Two married couples with a child? I’m sure you want space from each other at times. You can decorate them as you like, just move whatever furniture you don’t like to the basement or attic or something. Plus you have free range of the kitchen, and I’ll give you five hundred dollars worth of spending money every month. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll buy it for you. Deal?”

Grey latched on to Rhett’s hand before he could even finish that last syllable. “Done.”

Wow. He’d been generous by Brownie terms. No wonder Grey was latching on to him. Hell, I would have too, in his shoes.

Myst came over, nosing at the Brownies, tail wagging. Woods reached up to pat him, seemingly entranced by this giant beast.

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