Still volatile.
But for one brief, startling moment, my father wasn’t the problem.
And the fact that it infuriated Maddy Curtis?
That was just the cherry on top.
Edward didn’t retreat.
If anything, Maddy’s rising irritation seemed to cement his position.
“This is getting out of hand,” she said sharply, the sweetness finally cracking. “We agreed this would be temporary. Controlled. Bringing animals into the house without consulting me?—”
Edward turned to her fully then, and the room felt it.
Not loud. Not angry.
Immovable.
“Maddy,” he said, firm and calm in a way that brooked no argument, “this is not a negotiation.”
Her mouth opened again, sharper words clearly queued up, but Edward didn’t let them land. He glanced past her, his attention settling on Frankie with a surprising gentleness.
“Why don’t you go see the cats,” he said to her, voice softening. “They’ve had a long day too. If there’s anything they need, just let Jeremy know.”
Frankie blinked, caught off guard. She looked at him, then toward the hall, then back again. Her shoulders were still tight, but the fury in her eyes flickered into something else—relief, maybe, or longing.
Edward spared a glance toward Jeremy. “I’m assuming dinner will be ready soon, and you’ve gotten a room ready for Frankie?”
Jeremy inclined his head smoothly. “Of course, Mr. Edward. Miss Frankie has been installed in the butterfly room. I’ll take care of arranging her things once they arrive.”
“Thank you,” Edward said, genuine.
Frankie hesitated, then said softly, “Thank you, Mr. Standish.”
Edward’s expression shifted again—not pleased, exactly, but earnest. “Eddie or Edward,” he said. “Truly, Frankie. This is your home now too.”
The words landed heavy.
Frankie shifted uncomfortably, her weight moving from one foot to the other. She nodded once, small and careful. “I’ll… think about it.”
Maddy inhaled sharply, clearly ready to object, but Edward’s hand came down on her arm—light, decisive. It stopped her cold.
That movement drew my eye immediately.
Her left hand.
The ring.
A massive, ostentatious diamond catching the light like a dare.
Oh for fuck’s sake.
I shifted, irritation flaring hot and sudden. “C’mon, Frankie,” I said, deliberately breaking the moment. “Let’s go see them and get them settled. Then we’ll bribe Jeremy into whatever you want for dinner.”
Her head snapped up, startled—and then she smiled.
A real one.
