Page 61 of Possession

Miranda’s young eyes flare when she gapes at June.

I open the industrial size refrigerator. Wow. It’s like a small grocery store. Rocco, on the other hand, opens the freezer and isn’t nearly as impressed as I am, and mutters, “No pizza. Or corn dogs.”

“Grilled cheese,” I announce. I reach in and grab butter and a package of sharp cheddar before turning to Rocco. “You can have as many as you want. Cut up some fruit and see if there are chips in the pantry.”

June hops off the barstool she was perched on and tries to steal my cheese. “I’ll make it for you.”

I yank it back. “I don’t cook, but I can make a mean grilled cheese. Don’t steal my thunder, June. In fact, I’ll make you and Miranda one too. We’ll all eat lunch together, right here in the kitchen like normal people. How does that sound?”

“I don’t think—” June starts while Miranda shakes her head in silence. Neither one likes the sound of anything I just said.

I ignore them both, find a skillet, and crank on the burner. “Find the bread, Rocco.”

“Got it.” Rocco dumps an armful of food he collected from the pantry. Bread, two bags of chips, some crackers, and three candy bars. He tears the wrapper of one of the chocolate-covered candies and bites off a hunk.

Whatever. I’m only supposed to help him study, not make sure he eats a balanced diet.

“I don’t think Mr. Torres will be happy about this.” June is standing at my side with her hands on her hips. Miranda is chewing on the tip of her thumb with anxiety.

“Boz told us to eat lunch. Why would he be unhappy?” I ask as I butter the bread.

“This is our job, Mrs. Torres. We’re here to serve the family. It’s not customary for you to even be in the kitchen.”

I stick the knife in the butter and turn to her. “Seriously?”

“Yes,” she snaps and throws a glance at Miranda to yank her hand away from her mouth, and whispers, “Wash your hands.”

Miranda rushes to the sink, and I look back at June. This time I really look at her. I don’t think she’s old and stuffy and set in her ways any longer.

No.

She might be snappy with me, but I think it’s because she’s nervous. Or, more like stressed.

Miranda finishes at the sink and scurries back to June’s side.

Since I’ve been here, all Boz has to do is pick up a phone and food magically appears. Or the car is waiting outside the front door. Or an entire wardrobe appears. It happened for Rocco, and I bet the same thing happened for me before I got here.

I cross my arms and speak to both of them at the same time. “Help me understand this. Do you two get in trouble if someone in this house isn’t served by you?”

Miranda stares at the floor in front of her, but June just stares back at me, steadfast in her silence.

“Answer me. Please,” I prod.

I swear a touch of pink touches Miranda’s face.

I hike a brow at June.

Nothing.

I lift a finger and point back and forth between the two of them. “Don’t move, and whatever you do, do not make a grilled cheese sandwich. I’ll be right back.”

June finally breaks her silence, and calls after me, “Ma’am!”

I ignore her. My feet carry me up the stairs and down the hall before I know it. I don’t knock, barging right into the office off our bedroom.

“No, that won’t do,” Boz speaks into the phone, but his gaze comes straight to me. “Make it happen this week. I need the inspector to sign off or the entire project will be late. I’ve got cash to move and can’t afford to sit on it much longer.”

I make my way in long strides to the front of his desk and cross my arms.

---