“I’m sorry,” I said. “I couldn’t sleep. I hoped I could find some tea? I didn’t want to trouble anyone.” I twisted my hands together in a show of contrition.
She sighed. Slowly, she set the pot on a countertop, then wiped her hands in her apron. “Left the goddamn door unlocked for one minute,” she muttered, turning her eyes to the heavens.
“I apologize,” I said. “I hadn’t realized the kitchen was off-limits.”
“And my dumbstruck son didn’t think to mention it?”
I hesitated. I thought of the times Patrick had steered me away. “Not expressly.”
“Hmm,” she sighed, rubbing her forehead. “Well. No one comes in here but the spare few. I’m sure you’ve figured out why.”
I looked again to all those mismatched bottles and canisters. Awed. A ready-made dispensary. “Is it idium?”
Tess Colson chuc
