Chapter 44
The townhouse settled early that evening. Grandpa declared himself too tired to play another game of cards after dinner, though everyone suspected he simply disliked losing to Grandma twice in one night. Wren disappeared upstairs with her notebook tucked beneath one arm, and Grandma remained in the kitchen long enough to wrap the last of the biscuits before switching off the lights. The ordinary rhythm of the house, so familiar after the past few weeks, seemed to smooth away the excitement of the day. Brielle lingered in the kitchen after the others had gone, rolling up her sleeves and gathering the dinner plates before anyone could insist she leave them until morning. Warm water filled the sink, carrying away the last traces of gravy and flour while the steady scrape of a dishcloth acros
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