Page 43 of The Seven Rings
On an exhale, Sonya pressed a hand to the heart she hadn’t realized hammered. “I’m going to need a big drink after this. Maybe now.”
“Why not both?”
With the fries soaking, she started on the sauce, measuring, whisking. Praying a little.
“You actually like all this?”
“I do. Just another creative outlet,” Cleo claimed. “And I’ve got this fryer figured out. Team effort on the fries. I’ve got the cake, you’ve got the pork.”
“I’m hoping I’ve got the pork.”
“Cake’s done.”
“That was quick.”
“Shortcake.” Cleo pulled it out. “My first.”
With the sauce simmering, potatoes soaking, Sonya picked up her wine. “I left a sketchbook and colored pencils out for Jack. He took them.”
Struck, Cleo laid a hand on her heart. “Oh, Sonya, that’s so sweet! Art runs through your family, and his potential got cut off so young. We’re doing good things here, Son. We’re bringing the light. Before it’s done, we’re going to damn well blind her with it.”
She opened the back door. “Start up that grill in about ten minutes,” she called out. “We’ll prep the corn, then dry off the fries, get them going.”
Sonya had to grin. “You’re definitely the captain of this ship.”
“Goddess.”
“All right, goddess, I’m going to pull the pork.”
It worked, and so did the fryer.
While the pets ate, the four of them sat down to what Trey called a summer feast.
“You know, you’re now the pulled pork queen.” Trey took another bite. “This is amazing.”
“I made barbecue sauce. It’s going on my résumé.”
“Damn good fries, too.”
Nodding at Owen, Cleo ate one. “Team effort there, including Molly, who sent up the fryer.”
Sonya sampled one herself. “You know, they wouldn’t have had something like that when she worked here. I mean when she was alive.”
“She watches,” Trey said. “She learns.”
“I’d say they all do.” Owen studied the house as he ate. “That includes Dobbs.”
“Maybe. But I think so much of her is stuck in the past. She doesn’t care about today,” Sonya added. “Not about things like kitchen tools, technology. It’s all about power, and how and when to use it.”
“She has to know how to use it again,” Trey pointed out. “So I’d say you’re both right.”
“I don’t think she understands why I’m here. She just wants me out. All of us out. But I don’t think she believes for a minute I can recover the rings, break the curse.”
“Let’s keep it that way.”
Surprised, she looked at Trey. “You think that, too.”
“She’s been here over two hundred years. Us? Everyone who’s been here before? Temporary inconveniences. Annoyances.”
