Epilogue II
Rider
“You know if you keep showing up like this they’ll put you on the pay roll,” Miss Delores teases.
“Miss Delores, I’d never want to be paid for the pleasure of spending time with you,” I say, hand on my chest. If I had pearls I’d clutch them and send Miss Delores into a fit of giggles. I just know it.
“You are dangerously charming, my young friend.”
“But alas, not charming enough I’m afraid.”
Miss Delores gives me a soft smile, all the creases in her face deepening. It’s nice, seeing the smile etched into her beautiful ebony skin. Her clever gaze searches my face and I know she sees too much.
“She sees you, Rider. She just has a lot on her mind, and in her heart at the moment.”
“More than the usual? I thought things were getting easier with her sister?”
Miss Delores lets out a sigh, “It’s worse, I’m afraid. She’ll never ask you for help, but I think she needs you.”
“Then I’ll be here.”
Miss Delores’ grin is back on her face, her crooked fingers patting my hand. “Good. You’re a good boy, Rider.” She tilts her head a little, her eyes alight, “Here she comes,” she whispers.
We both turn toward the door and then she’s standing there. Zadie. She captured my attention from the moment she stepped foot into Kaia’s party as part of a prank to take Pops away to Happy Glades Retirement Village.
She smiles softly and my head tilts. Her smile is tired, there's a tightness around her eyes and her shoulders seem tense. Something is wrong.
I stand suddenly, knocking my chair over. “Who do I have to kill?”
She makes an adorable squeaking sound, her eyes huge in her face, “huh?”