Page 8 of The Seven Rings
Because she knew her old college roommate well, she expected Cleo could likely sleep until nearly noon.
She wished she had the same talent.
Instead, she walked to the far turret and the library where she kept her office.
She glanced at her mood board, then continued to the desk that faced the wide doorway.
So quiet now, she thought as Yoda wiggled under the desk to keep her company. She could hear the sea roll outside, had come to love the sound of it slapping against the rocks. The morning sun streamed through the windows. On the sill, Xena, the African violet Cleo had given her on the first day of college, thrived, its pink blooms drinking up that sunlight.
Here, in the two-level library, books and beauty and history surrounded her.
She’d been productive here, and would continue to be. She’d done good work, and couldn’t ask for more.
She had this room, this house, and all in it—and a ridiculous amount of money to live the life and do the work she wanted—because Collin Poole had chosen to give it all to his twin’s daughter.
Death had given her this life, and she couldn’t forget it.
She booted up her computer.
Emails first, read and answer. Do any updates or changes to previous work before moving into current jobs.
Then she pressed her fingers to her eyes.
“Oh God, Clover. I need to say all this, and I hope you’ll listen. I’m so sorry for what she put you through. I’m sorry for everyone, but especially you. She took your life, and Charlie took his. She stole not just your ring but all your dreams. The home you and Charlie wantedto make here. The art he wanted to make, the gardens you wanted to plant. All the children you might have made.”
Taking a breath, Sonya steadied herself. “And last night, hearing it and seeing it and feeling it all happening at once, it twisted up in me. If none of that had happened to you, to any of you all the way back to Astrid, and forward to Johanna, I wouldn’t be here.
“I wouldn’t have this. I can’t make it all not happen, but I swear I’ll find a way to make it right. Whatever it takes, I’ll make it right for you, for all of you. You’re the reason. You’re my father’s mother. You’re my family. I’m going to make it right for my family.”
The tablet played Taylor Swift’s “Invisible String.”
Sonya dashed a tear away, vowing it would be the last shed for the day.
“Yeah, yeah, that’s right. It ties us together. All of us. And I promise you, I won’t break it. Keep playing, will you? Whatever you want. I think the music’s good for both of us.”
And settled, finally really settled, Sonya opened the first email, and got to work.
Chapter Two
Sonya took her first break when the cat wandered in, sat, stared at her.
“Time to go out? Well, when you’ve somehow housebroken a cat, you have to respect that. And I could use a caffeine boost. Let’s go, kids.”
She walked downstairs, let Yoda and Pye out the front door. Stood a moment in the gorgeous sunshine looking out to sea and the boats plying it.
She went back to the kitchen for a Coke, then stood at the back door to look across the lawn and gardens and toward the thick green woods.
And turned when she heard footsteps.
“You beat my noon estimate by just over twenty minutes. And you’re dressed and loaded up. Before coffee.”
Cleo set down her Guerrilla Box, folding easel, and stool.
“I’ve still got coffee in the system from our insanely early breakfast.”
Ready for the day in a wide-brimmed hat, cropped pants, and loose tee, Cleo filled a water bottle. “Yoda and Pye can keep me company. If they want to come back in, I’ll take care of it.”
“All right. It’s gorgeous out, so they might as well enjoy it. So, drama or dreamy?”
