Page 64 of Protecting Little Phoebe

“Hmm. Something,” she replied.

“Sorry?” Freida asked.

“Don’t be,” Phoebe told her.

Freida looked confused but rallied. “I thought I could come in for a cup of coffee.”

“I’m afraid I don’t drink coffee. I don’t want to stunt my growth.”

“Stunt your growth? Oh, are you still in high school, dear? Shouldn’t you be there now?” Freida gave her a condescending look.

Well, two could play at this game.

“Oh no. I graduated school a while ago. I don’t think they’d let me go back now. Should you not be at work?”

Freida laughed. “I don’t work, dear. I married well several years ago, then I divorced him. Now, I get to spend my days riding my horses, shopping, and visiting with friends. I guess you’re planning on doing the same, hmm? Barren is deliciously wealthy, after all. Although, you might find it hard to get him to propose to you. He’s still in love with his wife, after all.”

“You know Krystal?” Phoebe asked curiously.

“Yes. What a tragic love story. They were married for so long and Barren will always be in love with her. Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t hurt you, did I? It’s just the truth. But I’m sure he will take good care of you. Just don’t expect love and marriage. I’m only telling you this to be kind.”

Uh-huh. Sure, she was.

“Oh, you’re not hurting me. After all, if I’m only with him for his money then why would I care that he could never love me? Now, sorry, but I’m busy. Bye.”

She shut the door on the other woman’s protests. Then she stared down at her shaking hands, taking a deep breath in and letting it out slowly.

Okay. That wasn’t fun. What a… a… bitch! Yep, she’d thought it. And she wasn’t taking it back. She’d need to tell Barren about this at lunch.

Oh! Lunch! She glanced at her heart-shaped watch just as the doorbell rang again. This time, she checked who it was first. A man stood on the doorstep, wearing dark clothing.

“Hello,” she said cheerfully as she grabbed her handbag again.

“Miss Jones, I’m here to take you into the city.”

“Yes, please.” She shut the door behind her. It would lock automatically. She skipped down the stairs, something that Barren would scold her for if he’d seen her and climbed into the back of the car.

“Everything all right, miss?” the driver asked after climbing into the driver’s seat.

“Great, thanks. And call me Phoebe.”

“I’m James.”

“Sweet. Let’s go, James.”

She needed a hug from Barren.

“Hello. Can I help you?” A woman around Phoebe’s age gave her a small smile as she ran her gaze over her. She was sitting at the main reception desk and made it clear with the look on her face that she didn’t approve of Phoebe’s outfit at all.

Hmm. She thought she was looking extra cute today. She had on a red pinafore dress with a long-sleeved white shirt underneath that had ruffles at her wrists. She also wore white tights and cherry-red boots with a flat heel since Barren didn’t seem to like when she wore higher heels. Her dark hair was up in high pony tail with a red scrunchie around it.

Cute, but not too openly Little. Even though Barren said that he wanted her to be herself, she still didn’t want to embarrass him. Oh, and she’d also remembered a jacket. Mainly because Barren had reminded her three times this morning to bring one. He worried far too much.

“I’m here to see Barren,” she said cheerfully. “Can you let him know I’m here, please.”

“You’re here to see Mr. Rose?” she asked skeptically.

“Yep. We’re having lunch.”

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