Nothing but the Ghosts

Chapter 3-1

Chapter 3

In the kitchen, Sadie leans against the sink, hand pressed to her chest, eyes fluttering closed for a moment.

“Oh, my,” she says. “He’s a cool customer, isn’t he?”

“He’s an ass,” Belinda says.

Sadie directs a pointed look at Belinda, but there’s humor beneath the reprimand—and a sigh.

“At least this explains much about the boys,” she adds. “Nigel’s told me some, of course, but it’s a sensitive subject.” Sadie pauses, her mouth twisting on the words sensitive. “At this point, he sees Reginald as more of a father figure than his actual father. I’m beginning to see why.”

“He doesn’t like me.”

I blurt the words without thinking, but I know the truth of them. Darien Armand does not like me.

Sadie crosses to me. “Katy, no. It isn’t personal. I doubt there are many people Darien Armand does like.” She pauses and considers the ceiling. “I think it’s clear that he has a great deal of hurt he hasn’t ... processed yet. It has nothing to do with you.”

Except, I’m pretty sure it does, but I can’t pull the threads together to explain why. According to him, I’m a hurricane and a Lindstrom. The latter might be the worst of the two offenses. I can’t say why he doesn’t like me, only that he doesn’t.

“More coffee?” Belinda says. “Seriously, the man simply hasn’t had enough of your coffee.”

I get to work brewing a fresh pot by pulling out the one hundred percent Kona. Even the rattle of the beans sounds expensive. It’s the coffee equivalent to Dom Pérignon.

Forget Darien Armand. We have a newlywed couple to toast.