Secret Whispers (Heavenstone 2)

“What did you do to your hair?”

“Just cut it,” I said, bringing my hands to it and fluffing it a bit.

“Yourself? You cut your own hair?”

“It wasn’t that hard.”

“It wasn’t hard, but it’s not a professional job by any means, Semantha. You’re going to have to go to a salon and have it fixed.”

“I don’t need to do that,” I said.

“Jesus.” He flopped onto the chair across from me. “And what are you wearing?” he asked with a grimace.

“Just an ordinary skirt and top. Nothing terribly special,” I said.

“Kind of blah for you,” he said. “It doesn’t look like it fits you, either.”

“I don’t think it’s so blah. It fits all right.”

“Whatever.” He leaned forward. “Have you been keeping track of things, the date? Anything to report?”

“No,” I said.

“You had a period, then?”

“Yes.”

“Damn. I don’t know. Maybe we should see one of those fertility doctors.”

I didn’t reply. I dropped my gaze back to the pages.

“Lucille and your father won’t be home for dinner tonight.”

“Oh?”

“It’s the chamber of commerce event. Remember? I wanted us to go, but you didn’t want to.”

“Well, why didn’t you go anyway?”

“I don’t think your father likes you being home alone so much, Semantha. I don’t think he likes me going about like a bachelor, either.”

“What about Lucille?”

“Lucille’s not happy, either. They’re both concerned about you, and of course, so am I.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “Everyone should just stop worrying.” I looked at the book again. “I’m not into all that. Cassie never liked socializing with businesspeople. She called it swimming with baby sharks. They all want something from us.”

“That’s not entirely true, and you’re not Cassie.”

I continued to read.

“You’re sure you had a period, right?” he asked.

I looked up and smiled. “It’s not something you need to guess about, Ethan.”

He nodded, slapped the arms of the chair, and stood.

“I’m going up to change. What’s Gerad making for dinner?”