Page 109 of Kingdom of Betrayal and Unknown

“I could help in the afternoons after I finish all my chores for the day,” I offer. “I’ve finished most of the spices. I only have a few more before I am finished.”

I was going to offer to go back to Hellhollow to buy more spices, but there is still snow on the ground, and it’s a long walk. I don’t want to get caught again when it decides to snow again.

“I can create something so people can drop by and I can inspect what they need done and pencil them in and let them know how much it will be and how long it will take,” I explain. “Elizabeth has been doing this, but she is getting older, and I heard from someone in the town that she is thinking of stopping soon. We could tell her that we’ll pick up her clients. We have all the material.”

I desperately want her to reply to me, but she just sits in silence, working on the pants.

“I think it would be wise, especially when the baby comes. It’ll be easier work than making brand-new clothes, and we could slow down on that,” I continue. “We sell out at every market, but this would help a lot in the interim.”

I look down at my dress that I’ve repaired several times.

“Set it up and I’ll look over it before you talk to Elizabeth,” Mother finally replies.

“Great. I’ll get right on that this afternoon,” I tell her as I place the last dish on the towel.

I turn toward her and watch for a couple of seconds. She is in her own world as she sews the pieces of fabric together. I worry about her every single day, wondering if she is going to make it to the next day or die of a broken heart.

“I have to meet Skylar in town in a couple of minutes. I told her I would to discuss some things.” I push off the counter and walk toward my jacket and put it on. “While I’m out, I’ll take my walk and collect some ice.”

“Be safe,” is all she says as I take the bucket and head outside.

Tears threaten to spill as I take a second to compose myself. Things are so different now, and I know they will be for the rest of my life, but I wasn’t prepared for it. I wasn’t prepared to have to learn how to cope with not only my father’s death but a lot more.

Taking a deep breath, I start to walk into the town to find Skylar. I know she is free around this time, so she isn’t expecting me, but I needed to get out of the house.

I needed to get away from my mother for a little bit. It was like I was talking to a wall but I knew it was my mother and I couldn’t do it anymore.

“Adeline!” Skylar yells as she waves her hand in the air.

I force a smile and walk in her direction, changing my attitude the closer I get. I don’t need her asking questions right now because I don’t want to talk about it.

“Did you hear about Marvin?” Skylar asks when I step closer to her. “Apparently, he died and someone dug him a grave.”

Freezing, I stare at her. I didn’t think people would know yet. I thought it would take a week or more for anyone to find out that he died. If I were drinking or eating anything, I would have surely choked on it.

“I didn’t,” I tell her. “Do they know how?”

I hold my breath as I wait for her answer. Skylar eyes me suspiciously before brushing it off.

“Someone was walking to their mother’s grave when they saw a new one with a pretty headstone with Marvin’s name on it. Some people want to dig up the grave to see if it’s actually Marvin, but a lot don’t want to,” Skylar informs me.

“That’s so sad,” I whisper. “I didn’t know Marvin that well, really.”

“Are you okay?” Skylar blurts out.

I stare at her with wide eyes. “What do you mean?” I ask.

Skylar places her hand on my right shoulder. “I’m just asking how you are and not if you are hiding anything. But from the way you are reacting, I suspect you are hiding something. What is it?”

I suck in a breath as I stare at her, not knowing what to say. I can’t tell her about Kieran or his friends. I can’t tell her that I was there last night when Marvin died. Kieran and his friends would be in trouble… I would be in trouble.

“Come on, you aren’t going to keep a secret from your best friend, are you?” she asks.

“No,” I mumble.

If only she knew how many secrets I was keeping from her. I never thought I would keep anything from her, but meeting Kieran has changed everything. He has opened up my eyes, and I know Skylar won’t reciprocate if I told her anything.

“Well, what is it then?” Skylar tightens her hand on my shoulder. “I want to know. My break is almost up.”