I’m a fool.
Deena’s voice cracked. “Then maybe our deal might not work.”
Austin exhaled. “You’re right. It might not.”
Dread washed over her, and she imagined her exiled life again. How would it be this time? What would happen to her and her friend? She never planned enough to discover if the blackmailer was caught. They stood in tense silence, the only sound heard was the hurried footsteps of Percy running towards them.
“Look!” He yelled excitedly.
Austin and Deena turned towards him, and Deena’s jaw dropped. “Percy, put that bird down this instant!”
Percy continued to run to them; a grin plastered on his face, and a little yellow duckling flapped wildly in his small hands. He cupped it gently but ran haphazardly across the field. Deena’s eyes darted towards the house.
If Selina sees this, she’ll murder Austin and me.
Blackmailer be damned.
She grew more furious when she found Austin laughing like a madman beside her.
“This isn’t funny, Austin!” she scolded him.
“You’re right, Dee.” He wiped his eyes. “This is hilarious.”
Percy finally reached them. “I caught one! Can we keep him? Please? I’ll call him Sir Quackers!” He held the duckling up with the widest grin.
Deena stared at the duck and at Austin, who was struggling not to laugh. Despite the tension, she couldn’t hold back the laugh that bubbled up and spilled out of her until she was teary- eyed as well.
Percy looked between the two adults, confused but delighted. “See? Sir Quackers made you laugh! Can we keep him? Please?”
Austin crouched to Percy’s level, eyeing the furious bird. “I think Sir Quackers has strong opinions about captivity, little man.”
“But Mama and Papa might say yes!” Percy insisted.
Deena wiped her eyes, still smiling. “We shall ask them, Percy. But you might have to keep him by the pond with his family.”
Percy pouted. “But he’s my friend!”
Just by his adorable look, Deena felt convinced already but unfortunately, it was not her place to allow pets. She exchanged a look with Austin.
He ruffled the boy’s hair. “Friends don’t usually try to bite their friends’ fingers.” He pointed.
Percy looked down at the duck, who was indeed attempting to nip him. “Oh.”
Deena crouched beside them. “We’ll ask your parents, but you will have to let him go back to his family. You would not like to be away from your Mama and Papa, too, right?”
Percy sighed dramatically. “Yes. But… I’ll miss him.”
“Let’s not jump to any conclusions yet, until we ask your parents,” Austin added, and that earned him a bright, toothless smile from Percy.
Austin stood, offering Deena his hand. She took it, letting him pull her up. For a moment, their fingers lingered. He was warm against the chill, and when he released her, she felt disappointed.
Why does his touch burn me so tenderly?
She fought her thoughts of him as they headed back towards the house. Percy imitated the ducks he was chasing by waddling up the slope. His duckling, Sir Quackers, was surprisingly calm in his small hands.
Deena glanced at Austin. “We’re still disagreeing.”
“We are,” he agreed.
