Page 90 of The Light to My Darkness (The Light to My Darkness 1)

"It was my pleasure. Do you want to do lunch tomorrow?"

"Yeah, that would be great. See you tomorrow."

"Bye, Penny."

I hung up the phone and looked down at the omelet Ellen had made me. My stomach seemed to churn.

"Hon, is everything alright?" Ellen asked. "You haven't touched your breakfast. I made your favorite."

"I know, I'm sorry. I'm just not hungry this morning."

"Penny, you're supposed to be eating for two. You're not even feeding one."

I laughed. "Trust me, if he wanted food, he'd be kicking me mercilessly." I pushed the plate away.

She sighed and picked it up from the counter. "Do you want anything else? I'll make you whatever you want. You're not really supposed to take those on an empty stomach." She nodded at the pill bottle next to my glass.

I wanted ice cream. But I wasn't going to ask her to make a special trip for me. I had put it on the grocery list and she usually went in the afternoons. I'd have it soon enough. "I'm fine. Everyone is making such a fuss this morning."

"Of course I'm making a fuss. Exterminators are here, tromping mud all through the house. Throwing off my whole cleaning schedule." She seemed truly flustered.

"I'm sorry, Ellen."

"Oh, no, it's fine, dear. I'm just on edge this morning. Do you really think there are snakes in the house?"

"Honestly? No. I have no idea how Scar could sneak a snake into the house. I'm just being paranoid."

She smiled. "No, you're just being a mother." She turned off the faucet. "Are you sure you don't want anything else to eat?"

"I'm sure."

"Well, I'm going to go follow those men around with a broom."

I shook my head as she exited the kitchen. I shouldn't have gone through with the exterminators coming. It was completely ridiculous. Ow. I put my hand on the center of my chest. Maybe I should get that second opinion that Mr. Caldwell had advised. I stood up and walked over to my purse on the counter. My hand rummaged through my purse until my fingers found the card. I pulled it out and looked down at the information. A second opinion never hurt.

"Mrs. Hunter, we have the all clear."

I looked up at Porter and dropped the card back in my purse. "They checked everywhere?"

"It's their job to."

"So...nothing?"

Porter nodded. "Nothing. I had them check for everything while they were out here. No rats or anything either."

"Well, that's good."

He smiled. "Scarlett is cleared to come back in the house now. Did you want me to go pick her up from Rob and Daphne's?"

"No. She insisted on going to work with Rob. He's bringing her by at lunch."

"Thanks for keeping her at bay."

"I didn't." I walked back over to my glass of orange juice. "She didn't want to come home." I took a sip of the sweet juice. "Are you sure there was nothing?"

"I'm positive."

"Then what is she so scared of? Why can't I comfort her?"

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