The House on Prytania by Karen White

Author:Karen White [White, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2023-05-09T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

Despite Jack and Melanie’s insistence on a nap after the massive quantities of food we’d just consumed at Jolene’s New Orleans–themed feast, I helpfully pointed to the itinerary. Everyone had forgotten to bring the ones I’d handed out the previous night, but I’d fortunately printed extras.

“As you can see,” I said, indicating the third item on the list, “we have to be at the swamp tour dock by twelve thirty. Which means we have exactly forty-five minutes to tour my house before jumping into our cars.”

“But the hotel is so close,” Jack insisted. “Mellie and I could use a little time in bed.”

“Ew,” JJ and Sarah said in unison.

“I’m sure he meant sleeping,” I said. “It’s an hour’s drive, so you can nap in the car on the way.”

“Unless you’re driving,” JJ said. “Then all the screams will keep them awake.”

“Very funny. And no. I’m not driving. Beau and Sam said they’d meet us here with Beau’s truck and he’s volunteered to drive.” I didn’t mention how they were supposed to have joined us at breakfast; I preferred not to think about what they might have been doing instead. Beau had at least had the courtesy to text me to let me know they’d meet us at my cottage.

When we arrived—ten minutes later than I’d allotted per our itinerary—Beau and Sam had already arrived. I also spotted Jorge’s and Thibaut’s trucks at the curb, indicating that they were inside. They usually didn’t work on Saturdays but instead used the time to film content for the YouTube channel. I found it incredible that Thibaut, a man who didn’t even own a cell phone, had become a social media star. He never watched his performances, and he said he didn’t even know what social media was, but he enjoyed doing it. That was apparently his rule for everything he did in life. If he didn’t enjoy it, then he didn’t do it.

As if conjured, Thibaut and Jorge appeared on the porch with handfuls of tennis balls, making me glad we hadn’t brought Mardi, who would be going wild. They began one of their juggling routines, facing each other while juggling the balls, then turning around and walking in opposite directions without dropping a single ball. I’d seen the routine with small tools before, and I was glad they had stuck with soft, round objects for this particular show. JJ was watching them with a contemplative look, as if he were imagining rolling pins and whisks in place of tennis balls.

We applauded, and they bowed before opening the front door and motioning for us to follow them inside. “Please know this is a work in progress,” I announced as I stepped up onto the porch. “There was a lot more work involved than I had originally anticipated when I bought the house. I have a full-time job to pay for the renovations, but that keeps me from spending all day here.”

My parents hugged me from each side, planting kisses on my cheeks. “Nola,” Jack said, “we couldn’t be more proud of you.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.