The Curse of Redwood (Ivy Grove #2) - Jaclyn Osborn Page 0,123
laughed.
“We should sleep. It’s getting late.” He reached over to turn off the lamp before stopping. “You kept it.”
“Kept what?” I asked, then looked at the table where his book sat. My cheeks heated. “Yeah, I did. Is that pathetic?”
“No.” Zeke kissed my temple. “It’s sweet.”
“I know you’re tired, but…” My heart leapt up into my throat. “Will you read to me? Just for a little while?”
He regarded me with a tender look before grabbing the book and propping it up on his chest. I snuggled in beside him and smiled.
“Chapter One,” he began to read.
I closed my eyes as his voice drifted through the room. My heart was whole once more.
Chapter Twenty-Two
One Month Later
Redwood Manor stood tall against a gray sky. Snow covered the grass and weighed down the branches of the trees. The windows were frosted over, though an orange glow came from inside.
Zeke stared up at the mansion as we stood in the courtyard. His cheeks were pink from the cold and his breath fanned in front of his face as he slowly exhaled. He wore a black beanie to warm his ears, and his long blond hair ruffled at the cold, winter breeze.
“Are you ready to go inside?” I asked, grabbing his hand.
He squeezed my fingers and nodded.
We walked up the porch and opened the door. Zeke softly gasped as we stepped inside the mansion. A massive Christmas tree stood in the entrance hall directly across from us, fully decorated with red and gold and twinkling with lights.
“Welcome to Redwood Inn,” a friendly looking man greeted us in a southern accent. There was something familiar about him. “Help yourself to some cider, hot chocolate, or coffee and have a look around.”
“Thank you,” I said, before pulling Zeke with me toward the sitting room where people gathered.
“It’s different… yet stunning,” he said, stopping to survey the area. “I don’t remember when it last looked this inviting.”
The new owners had done a few renovations, though it hadn’t been anything too extreme. They’d chosen to keep the mansion as close to its original design as possible and had mainly just fixed safety concerns, like floorboards in the upper floors and any electrical issues. The bed and breakfast wouldn’t officially open until next week, but they were allowing people to visit the Inn and look around. A great advertisement to help build excitement.
Not that there was any lack of excitement from the people of Ivy Grove. Redwood had been a curiosity to so many for years, and people came in droves to see it now that the gates were open.
“Hey, I know you,” a blond man said, once we entered the parlor. Like the man we’d met when first walking inside, he seemed familiar. “You were at the open house.”
“That’s right,” I said, as the recollection hit me too. They were the gay couple I’d seen that day. “I’m glad it was you guys who bought this place and not the guy in the flashy suit.”
He chuckled before sticking out his hand. “Chris Parrish. My husband’s name is Dalton.”
“Parrish?” Zeke asked as he shook his hand, his interest piqued. The name struck a chord with me too, though I couldn’t place it. “Wasn’t that the maiden name of Arthur Warren’s second wife?”
“You know your stuff,” Chris said, nodding. “When I traced my family history, it led me here to Redwood. When Alice left Arthur, she was pregnant. It was quite the scandal, but she never remarried and started going by her maiden name. I guess this house was meant to be mine. Fate is funny like that.”
Zeke stared at him, shocked. Hell, I’d be shocked too. Chris was related to him. Zeke was like his great-great-great uncle or something.
“I don’t believe I caught your names,” Chris said.
“Zeke.” He rested a hand on my lower back. “And this is Carter.”
“Pleased to meet you both.” Chris studied Zeke, his brow drawn tight. “I’m sorry for staring, you just remind me of someone. My great grandfather had hair just like yours. It’s a rather unique shade of blond.”
My phone rang, and I stepped aside to answer it. “Hello?”
“What shirt should I wear under my gray suit?” Ben asked, as a ruffling sounded on his end of the phone. “I asked Theo, but all he said was ‘Darling, you look good in everything.’” He sighed. “I leave tomorrow afternoon and I have nothing packed. Help me.”
“You’re hopeless, Ben,” I said with a snicker. “If it’s the suit I’m thinking of, wear a dark blue