Page 47 of Bound in Ashes

“What?” he asked, his face turning red under his golden brown skin.

“I’m sure there’s plenty of stuff for you to do,” I said.

“Yeah. Jack said we should⁠—”

“I know, and we will, but let’s focus on trying to make this place work in the long run,” I said.

“You need to eat your eggs, too, honey,” Bridget said.

I sighed. “I almost forgot.”

Bridget leaned over, her eyes twinkling conspiratorially. “Men will do that to you,” she whispered.

Uncle Levi didn’t react, and everyone else was nice enough to pretend they hadn’t heard. I ate my eggs, vaguely enjoying the flavor but my mind was racing.

“We should look at the supplies, figure out what we’re going to do with space. How many hands are left after we lost that one yesterday, Uncle Levi?”

“Had fourteen total before this mess. There’s the crops, and you know Kathleen and all her horses. Plus the other animals. Most of them ran off, but there’s still a few.”

“Maybe we should bring them to the main house,” I said.

“Don’t you think I have a say in that, Asia?” Uncle Levi said.

“Of course. I’m just thinking…”

I trailed off, then looked around, realizing that everyone had stopped.

And were looking at me.

Looking to me.

Caitlin had an almost smirk on her face, and I focused on that.

“Got something to say, Caitlin?”

“Am I allowed to speak?” she asked.

“Caitlin, I don’t think there’s a thing in the world that could ever stop you,” I said.

I took a sip of coffee, making a show of how steady my hands were. It was the perfect kind of bitter after the creamy, indulgent scrambled eggs. Uncle Levi always made strong coffee, and it cut through everything, which was exactly what I needed.

“It’s just funny, somehow you’re back in charge,” she said.

“Caitlin, I’m not trying to be pushy, I just want to make sure that everything’s okay,” I said.

“Yeah, something about the road to hell and good intentions, right?” she said with a shrug.

The room was silent, the others not even pretending not to pay attention.

They were waiting to see how I’d respond.

Caitlin was, too.

I met her eyes. “If you have a problem, say it directly. I’m right here.”

Caitlin gave me one of her dazzling smiles. “No problem at all. Just an observation.”

I matched the wattage with my own smile. “Observation noted. Since you excel at observation, I’m sure you won’t mind starting the inventory for today?”