"Help me pack some more clothes. Andmaybesome sexy outfits, because if Idowant to entice Hunter the gardener, then I'm going to have to step it up a little bit."
"Yeah, girl, now you're talking."
“Have I lost my mind?"
"Yes, but that happened years ago," she says. "So nothing to worry about now."
"Thank you, Emma. That really makes me feel good."
"You're welcome." She smiles and then lets out a small sigh. "I have to figure out something myself."
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"The fate of the newspaper is not in your hands alone, Gina. I am a Bond. This is my family's paper, and yet, I know nothing about what is going on. I should have a say in the company." She grits her teeth. “And maybe I’d like to find summer love, as well.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Gina
It’s dark when I get back to the Waverly Estate, but I feel empowered and strong upon my second approach to the house. I feel ready to take on whatever I must to help save theWhisper Cove Guardian. I park, grab my bags, and head towards the entrance. The door opens, and I step inside, unsure of what to do next. I have no idea where my bedroom is. I’m about to call out when I hear footsteps.
“You must be Gina. The Waverlys have gone out to dinner but told me to expect you.” An older lady heads toward me with a friendly expression. She’s wearing a white apron and long black slacks. She has a warm smile on her face, and I nod as I stand there in the empty hallway.
“I’m Cook Melissa,” she says, as if I couldn’t guess. “But I go by cook, or chef, whatever you fancy.”
“Very nice to meet you. I’m sorry to just be standing here. I’m not exactly sure where to go. I arrived earlier, but then I realized I had left some stuff at home, and I had to leave, and now… well,I’m just not sure where I’m meant to be.” I sound like a little kid. “I don’t know where my room is.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll show you to your room. You have a very nice suite that you’ve been appointed to. I hear that you’re a writer.”
“I guess so.”
“Not like the bunch of wannabes that come here every day.” She laughs and starts walking back down the hallway. “Follow me, and I’ll take you to your room.”
“The writers group meets every day?” My eyes widen in surprise. Would I have to deal with Amethyst and her poetry daily?
“Oh, you didn’t know? The writers group meets every day.” She shrugs. “Everysingleday. They don’t all come every day, but most of them are here.”
“All of them? Aren’t two of them in college? What about the guy who’s the captain? Do none of them have a job?”
“The two college students are getting a Waverly scholarship to attend. They don’t all come every day. Mrs. Waverly likes having people around the house now that the kids have grown up. I mean, their grandson is around now, but?—”
“Is he?” My heart stops. “I don’t think I’ve met him.” I want to ask her more, but she doesn’t seem interested in having a good gossip session with me.
“Let me show you to your room.” Cook changes the subject, and I don’t know if she does it on purpose because she doesn’t want to talk about the grandson, or if she’s just oblivious, but I’m not going to push it. Asking too many questions at this point would be far too suspicious. “We’re going to go up the stairs. You are on the third floor.”
“Oh, wow, okay.”
“Are those the only bags you have, dear?” She looks at my backpack and suitcase. “Or do you need help with the other bags?”
“This is it. I actually have a place in town, so I didn’t bring everything that I own. I figure I can go back and forth whenever I need to.”
“I suppose.” She looks at me and just nods. “Won’t you be busy writing the book about their love story?”
“I will be writing their love story.. What is it like working for the Waverlys?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, do you just feel blessed to be in a house full of so much love?”
