Parker stretched and stifled a yawn, which caused me to yawn as well. I hadn’t realized until then just how wiped out I was.
“Mom, Dad. I’m off to bed,” Parker said, standing and placing his napkin on his plate. “Mia, very nice to hear you will be visiting us for a while. I look forward to learning more about you.”
“Good night, Parker,” I said, standing as well. “I’m off to bed, too, if that’s okay with you, Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne?”
“You go on ahead and get some more rest,” Victoria said “We all usually help ourselves to breakfast, so feel free to have anything you want. Diana will be around if you need help finding things.”
Chapter 8
MIA
I woke slowly, stretched, and pulled the soft fur comforter up to my nose. The room was still dark, but hints of an early morning sky peeked through the cracks of the heavy curtains. I reached for my cell phone lying on the end table. Six a.m. Sophie almost always came bouncing into my bedroom at six a.m. wanting cereal. Chloe would tell her to watch television until the sun was fully up just to get a little extra sleep, but Sophie knew she had me twisted tightly around her little pinky.
I wonder what they’re doing this morning and who is getting her cereal? Maybe she can’t even have cereal yet. Does the hospital have cereal?
One tear then another rolled down my cheeks before I realized I was crying. I wanted to be there with her during this traumatic time in her life.
I hope one day she’ll understand why I’m not there.
I flicked through the photos of them on my cell, landing on a picture of them laughing into the camera.
No since crying about it. Mia, get up, get some tea, and start your adventure.You did the right thing for Sophie.
I found a fuzzy pink robe with matching slippers in the Bermuda Triangle—my name for the closet of all closets that had more clothes in it every time I walked in—and a note from Victoria saying to have a relaxing morning because we would have a full afternoon.
A few button pushes on the elaborate remote and the heavy curtains slid open, exposing grand bay windows, a balcony overlooking fountains, and what would most likely be a magnificent flower garden come spring. French doors opened onto the balcony, so I stepped outside.
The wind whispering through the wicker furniture on the balcony seemed to call to me. The railings were lined with narrow flower beds depleted of flowers during the winter, but I could close my eyes and just imagine how they would look overflowing with vibrant reds, yellows, and orange flowers. The birds were awake, chirping and singing in conversation to one another. The chirping back and forth seemed to fill a small part of the void of not having Sophie around talking all the time. Dogs barking in the distance and the wind rustling the fall leaves across the water in the Koi pond was all so intoxicating. Until the growling and grumbling coming from my own body reminded me quite loudly that it was time for breakfast.
Okay, pretty sure the kitchen was down the grand staircase, through the foyer, and to the left. Oh, I really hope no one is in there, or just Diana perhaps. It will be so nice to sit by the fireplace on the plump, oversized couch sipping tea and watching the sunrise. I wonder if I am allowed to start a fire. Oh shoot, maybe I should have put real clothes on. Oh well, if anyone else is up they are probably in pajamas too. I hope.
At first I tiptoed down the hall, then slowly took one step at a time so as to not wake the whole house just because I was an early bird. By the time I stepped onto the marble floor of the foyer, it became apparent the house was already abuzz with activity.
“Good morning, Miss Mia,” Anthony, the butler, offered briskly as he walked by.
“Mia, come, dear,” Diana said, palming my elbow to direct me to the right to the kitchen.
I guess the kitchen isn’t to the left after all.
“Diana,” I said “Thanks for rescuing me. I tried to remember the layout of the house last night, but I clearly had it wrong. What’s to the left? Because that’s where I was heading.”
“The east wing is to the left. That’s where Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne’s offices are, as well as the lab,” Diana said whilst scurrying around the kitchen. “Can I get you something to eat, Mia?”
“Oh no, thank you. Although I could go for some of that coffee I smell,” I said. “I don’t usually eat first thing in the morning.”
“Coffee is ready. Everything you could need is out on the counter,” Diana said. “I’ll be back in give or take twenty minutes, then maybe you’ll be ready for breakfast.”
“Thanks, I think I’m just going to sit by the fireplace if it’s okay to make a fire, that is?” I asked shyly.
“Go right ahead, but the fireplace is gas. Just get the remote off the mantel,” Diana said, walking out while carrying a tray of coffee.
Alone at last. Fireplace on first, then coffee.
“Good morning, Sequin Girl,” Parker said from the dark corner of the cozy nook. “The fire is already going, so feel free to join us.”
“Us?” I asked, stepping farther into the lounge area.
“Well, me and this little ball of fur,” Parker said, pointing to a puppy lying on a pillow in front of the fire. ”She has claimed the best spot for herself though.”
I pulled my robe closer together and tied the belt a little tighter, feeling very under dressed, even though he was only in a sweat suit and sneakers.
I hope my hair isn’t a mess. Looking in the mirror might have been a good idea.
I lowered down to my knees and got face-to-face with the little puppy. “Oh my goodness, how sweet you are. How old is she?” I asked, rubbing behind the puppy’s ears.
Parker said with a slight chuckle, “No idea how old because I found her, or she found me, outside of the train station in Greenwich yesterday.”
“Aw, you really are a hero, aren’t you,” I said. “She looks very young to have been away from her mother, much less out in this weather. I wonder how that could have happened.”
“Yeah, I thought the same thing,” Parker said. “She was nearly frozen. I couldn’t just leave her out there, but I don’t know what to do with her now. The animal hospital I brought her to yesterday checked her over and gave me a bottle and mother’s milk. I was going to try some local veterinarians to see if someone recently had a litter of pups.”
“That’s a great idea,” I said, smiling up at him from the floor. “I would be happy to help. I do owe you, after all. I could put up some fliers in the area and near the train station too.”
His smile was infectious. Mia couldn’t even recall the last occasion when a smile made her feel this way.
“Can I get you some coffee? Or is it tea?” he asked as he got to his feet.
All I could do was nod. There was an expectant look in his bright green eyes. I wondered if the expression was because he felt it too.
I curled up on the white couch in front of the fire overlooking the gardens. I could feel myself smile as I looked out warmly at the view. It was fantastic.
Parker returned minutes later with an antique, rose petal saucer and a cup of coffee. I jumped from the heat of our fingers touching and quickly wiped my fingers on my robe to cool the burn.