~ Doris ~
We stepped through the front door of the huge house. Ryder’s hand was still wrapped around mine. Warm. Steady.
Every time he held on like that, little butterflies danced in my stomach. I tried not to smile too much, but it was hard.
“Are you okay?” he asked again. It felt like the tenth time since we left the car.
I nodded fast. My cheeks were already hot.
He gave my hand a small squeeze before we started up the wide staircase. Halfway up, a woman appeared at the top, walking down toward us. She looked about forty, with dark hair pulled back neatly and kind but sharp eyes.
She saw me.
Her whole body froze. She just stopped. Her mouth opened a tiny bit, her eyes went wide, like she had seen a ghost.
“Ms. Dorathy?” Ryder’s voice was gentle but worried. “You okay?”
The wo
