Thirty-Eight“Easy on him, Pania! He’s had a lot happening the last couple of weeks, wouldn’t you say?” Graysie looked at Pania over the top of the coffee pot she was holding. “Another one? Seems to me you could use it.”
Pania laughed and passed her cup to her friend. They were sitting in the garden at Stockton House, enjoying the shade of an apple tree that hung heavy with unripe fruit, watching Graysie’s ward Minette gambol with Peaches.
“I know this hasn’t been his greatest time, of course. But I feel as if the ground has been cut away from under me. How much of what I’ve believed existed between us actually did? Honestly, Graysie, I would have thought you of all people would understand.”
Graysie’s attention was momentarily captured by Minette, her cascading curls falling over her fac
