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“We’ll talk about this tomorrow” My tone is firm “After you take Lillie to preschool”

Eleanor starts to speak, but I shoot her a look that says don’t you dare

Her chin lifts, and she wraps her robe tighter around her body before stalking from the room as if she has a reason to be offended

“Eleanor” I call after her, and she pauses in the hallway outside the door “I’ll secure you a place in Eagleton Manor tomorroant you out of my house by the end of the day”

Her lips part as if she’s about to say so I only shut Lillie’s door in her face

27

Ruby

I don’t expect to getLillie into bed with h her bath, and noith her little head resting on

“Stop crying now, Lil” My voice is soothing and I pick at her daertips “You just scared us That’s all It looked like you were bleeding”

“I just wanted to squeeze theainst irl”

I don’t say what I’irl

Instead I give her a little hug “She does not She’s your grandmother She thinks you poop roses”

That turns the tears into giggles, at least for a et me a puppy now I’m not re-sponsible”

She says the word slowly, as if she’s sounding it out, and ht have forgotten about the puppy I’ll remind him to think about it tomorrow”

“No! Don’t remind him tomorrow Wait til Saturday”