“Hey there!” she said cheerfully. “I’m going to take Ms. Netty back to our apartment. I think the party might be a bit too much for her.”
I stepped aside as she began to wheel Netty past, but the older woman grabbed my hand, her grip surprisingly strong.
“Don’t trust these people,” she rasped. “They’re lying to you, girl. Run now while you can!”
“Now, Ms. Netty,” Merilee chided with a condescending smile. “You’re going to frighten our Ms. Zellie. We want her to stay, don’t we?”
“No!” Ms. Netty shrieked, shaking her head vehemently, her voice stronger than it had been, the cloudiness in her eyes briefly clearing. “Run, girl!”
I watched them disappear down the hall until I sensed Whit at my elbow.
“Poor Ms. Netty,” he murmured. “She gets confused so easily these days.”
“Is she always like that?” I asked, dread twisting inside me, unnerved by her warning.
Whit sighed. “Most days.”
I turned to face him. “What did she mean ‘her turn?’”
He swirled the ice in his drink and downed the last of it before responding. “Like I said, she’s confused.” He abruptly held up his glass. “Going for another. Would you like one?”
I shook my head. “No. Thanks. I’m good.”
But before Whit could top off his drink, Junior poked his head in. “Come on, y’all!” he said, waving at us to follow. “We’re gonna take this party outside. June’s worrying herself to death that no one’s eating Mr. Dean’s cake.”
I raised a brow. “Outside? Isn’t it too hot? The frosting on the cake will melt.”
Whit chuckled. “Guess we’ll just have to eat quickly.”
He gestured for me to exit the room before him, then placed a hand on the small of my back, gently guiding me from the room. It was an innocent enough touch, but it still sent a rush of heat through my body. I tried to hide the shiver that followed. But the subtle increase in pressure from his fingertips told me he’d noticed…and maybe even felt it too.
“Mama!” Henry shouted, having already shed his tie. “We’re going outside! Papaw Earl put up a swing for me and Addie!”
Papaw Earl, was it now?
June smiled down at him and ruffled his hair. “He sure did! You’d best go try it out, little prince!”
Little Prince?
“That’s awesome, baby!” I gushed, forcing excitement into my voice. “I’ll be right out.”
Henry pivoted and ran outside, June behind him. I reached out to grab Whit’s arm before he followed.
He turned, frowning. “What’s wrong?”
I hesitated, considering my words. Finally, I managed, “I just…I appreciate all the kindness from June and Earl, but I’m worried they’re going to confuse Henry. He’s not their grandson. I mean, when we leave…”
I didn’t continue, remembering what he’d said the other day about hoping I’d stay. He knew exactly what sentence I’d left unfinished.
His expression shuttered, that familiar guardedness slipping back into place. “Even if you leave Dawes House, I hope you won’t disregard us. There are people here who care about you and Henry.”
I swallowed hard, working up the courage to ask, “People like you?”
His eyes searched my face briefly, and his voice was deeper, softer when he confirmed, “People like me.”
We stood there for a long, charged moment before the sound of singing drifted across the yard, drawing my attention away from the warmth of his gaze.
I frowned. The melody tugged at some distant corner of memory, familiar, but out of reach. “What is that song?”
