“She can learn.”
A muscle in his cheek jumped. “No.”
“I just think I’ve imposed on you long enough,” Nadine said.
Odessa rolled her eyes. “I feel like I’ve barely gotten to know you at all. Ever since you came here, you’ve beenhiding. You’ve spent more time with people in town than you have with us, Nadine, and we’re practically family. Sisters, even. At least, we could be.”
I have a sister, Nadine thought.Andyoulost her.
And as if Odessa sensed that thought, her smile suddenly became less sweet.
“You were at The Blue Bar last night, weren’t you? I haven’t been there in a while myself. Not since I saw Carol spit in my drink because she’s friends with that wretched Helena. But Cal was there, too, last night.” She shot Nadine a pointed glance. “Did you see him there?”
“I—”
“He did some pro bono work for a few people around town when he was just starting out, so now they hate him just a little bit less than they do us. I’m sure they think they’re being quite generous, not spitting in his drinks. And all he had to do was work for free.”
Nadine glanced at Cal in surprise. “I didn’t know you did, uh, pro bono.”
“Well, you wouldn’t, would you? It goes against their agenda that we’re all pure evil.” Odessa rested her elbows on the table. “And speaking of agendas, what were you talking about with our city manager? Rael said you were hanging out with Deena.”
“I met her at the civic center while getting some books. We were just having a drink.”
Because I broke down outside her office and she felt sorry for me.
“It’s just a little odd that you would call one of my brothers a murderer and then have a secret meeting with one of our so-called government officialsandthe son of the sheriff.”
“It wasn’t a secret meeting. We were literally in public—and isn’t Raelyourfriend?”
There was a light tug at her scalp that made her bolt upright. Cal had wandered over and picked up a lock of her hair and was now toying with it idly.
“You seemed pretty cozy with him the other night.”
Shooting him a nervous look, Nadine said, “Why does it matter, anyway? Are you having me watched?”
Are you searching my room?
Did you oil my fucking door hinges?
Odessa did not answer. She was looking at her brother’s hand, which he had let fall on Nadine’s shoulder. “Well, well,” she said, a strange smile on her face. She looked . . . almost excited. “What’s this? Are you planning on taking her with you, after all?”
“No.” He traced his thumb over her collarbone. “It’s just a little harmless fun.”
Nadine flinched.
“You’ve hurt her feelings,” Odessa said. “Shewantsto be your little dear.”
“She looks more like a sparrow than a dear,” Cal said, giving her shoulder a final hard squeeze before letting go. “I have to go meet another client. I’ll be back later for the candles. Stayoutof my office,” he added sternly. “I’ll know if you’ve been in there.”
“His office,” Odessa said. “You know JD stands for Jackass Duty?” she called after him abruptly, “because that’s what you apparently have your degree in! Anyway, since the weather’s terrible, I assume you won’t be trading secrets with any government officialstonight.”
“I wasn’t—”
“You should let me dress you. The things you’ve been borrowing are an improvement, but they don’t quite fit and Father has already made some remarks. And although Baby Cal is far too polite to say so, he’d like you better in a short skirt.”
“Uh, what?”
“It’s all right. I approve, Nadine. Iwantyou to be his little sparrow. He would never admit to being lonely, but you should have seen the look in his eyes when Ben brought Noelle home. He’s a romantic at heart, you see. All he wants most in this world is to find his kindred soul, so he can carry her off into the woods—and then never let her go.”
