Page 101 of Edge

“Just one. She’s a lightweight.” Irene gently patted my thigh. “Evie, baby, stop talking.”

“Oh, sorry. The pain pills make me yappy. I don’t like it either.”

“Shhh,” Irene reminded me.

“Right. Zipping the lips. Carry on,” I said and used my fingers to zip my lips.

“If I decide I want to buy the property, how should I proceed?” Irene asked.

“Give me a call, and I’ll give Luca a heads-up. Then call the agent and let her know,” Phoenix said.

“Thanks. I need some time to think about it, but I’ll let you know as soon as I decide.”

“Oh, I almost forgot. We have a few vacant houses here on the farm. If there’s one you like, you’re welcome to it.”

“Thank you. I might take you up on that while I’m looking for a new place.”

“That’s fine, too. But I meant that you’re welcome to live here for as long as you like.”

“Like a rental?”

Phoenix chuckled. “No, not a rental. I have more houses than I know what to do with. They sit here unoccupied. Just like this one. So, if you find one you like, you’re welcome to occupy it, free of charge, no strings attached.”

“You’re serious?”

“I am.”

“Well, that’s definitely something to think about.”

“She’s wondering what she’ll do with the people she rescues,” I stage whispered.

Irene gave me the same look mothers give to their children when they want them to shut up, but Phoenix didn’t miss a beat. “The same thing she’s always done—give them a job and a place to stay. Like I said, we have plenty of room around here.”

“I think you should say yes,” I told Irene.

“I think you need to take a nap,” Irene retorted.

“Right. Re-zipping the lips,” I said, leaning back against the couch and closing my eyes. Irene knew what she was talking about because I was asleep in a matter of moments.

28

EVIE

Three Weeks Later

With the exception of Ranger, we were all still staying at the house on the farm. Byte was walking without crutches, Edge seemed almost back to normal, and Irene only had minimal limitations with her arm. Meanwhile, my incisions and broken ribs had healed, but I was still moving around slower than a sloth and getting exhausted with minimal activity. It was frustrating, but I was trying to take it in stride. Irene had plenty of administrative things I could do while sitting in front of a computer.

I looked up from the laptop when I heard her enter the kitchen. “Are you ready for today?” I asked.

She sighed as she poured herself a cup of coffee. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Are you having second thoughts?”

“No, not at all. I’m just dreading packing up all of my shit. And then unpacking it. There’s a reason I haven’t moved in years—because I hate it.”

I laughed. “I know what you mean. I’m not a fan of it either.”

“Neither of you will have to do anything other than supervise,” Edge said.