Chapter 22

Emmeline settled back on the wide couch next to Minnie, picking up the remaining plate with her hands and cradling it in her lap.

The cool ceramic was soothing against her sweaty palms. “I met them after I left your house, but they’re not as bad as you described, honestly. Well, at least not entirely.”

Minnie gasped in surprise and almost choked on her lemonade. She waved one hand dismissively when she finally recovered from coughing violently. “When did I say they were bad? I just described them as...cold. Unwelcoming and standoffish, sure, but not bad people. There’s a difference, you know.”

Emmeline looked at her pointedly as she split off a piece of cupcake with her fork, letting the tangy lemon flavor exploded on her tongue. “You’re right, Mrs. Blackthorn was so cold and unwelcoming when I met her. I had a lot of trouble just standing still in front of her icy demeanor - not nearly as friendly and warm as you are. It was like talking to a statue.”

Minnie