Queen of Diamonds

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

"Finally," Sarah exhaled exasperated as Andrew stood me up on the ground. "Come on, the SparkleUp Rover awaits," she said and led the charge around the house through the woods.

"Hey, how'd you know about that magical trellis escape route anyway?" I asked Andrew as Sarah stomped on tree branches a few yards ahead of us.

"Just because Archbolt Manor is on Pauge territory doesn't mean I've never been here before," he smirked.

"Right," I said slowly shaking my head in acknowledgment to the deep richie roots in my own backyard.

"And if you two would have taken the back way up like I suggested we wouldn't be trudging through the woods right now to the cars," he added with a wink. Regaining traction with his smartass self.

I relished in the moment of crunching dry leaves beneath my feet, Andrew by my side, and Sarah forging her own trail, like she does best. Despite their current qualms, I wouldn't want to be in this situation with anyone else.

We rounded the side of the mansion to find the cars still hidden under the canopy of trees. Thank God. Sarah would probably decapitate Andrew and hang his head over here fireplace mantel if anything happened to her precious Rover.

"Get in Avs, I'm famished," Sarah order has she jingled into the car with the chains from the hidden jewelry cave still dangling from her pockets.

"Like I've been saying all day," I muttered at the memory of plans to actually get breakfast this morning. There was something about this place that increased my appetite.

"Hang on a second," Andrew said grabbing my arm before I could turn away. "I know a lot went down today but I still really want you to come to my Christmas in July Murder Mystery party."

"I-," I began starring down at the invitation as he pulled it out of his pocket, personal calligraphy with my name on the envelope.

"You don't have to answer me now, just take it," he said slipping the white and gold envelope into my hand with his rough fingertips lingering on mine.

"Thanks," I replied looking up to meet his eyes intently looking into him. "I'll think about it," I concluded with a small smile and began walking over to the passenger side of the Rover while Andrew went to the driver side.

"I'm looking forward to it Mrs. Snowbanks," he called as I opened the car door to get in with Sarah. "As for you," Andrew began now at the driver side window. "I expect to see you there as well," he said handing Sarah a personalized invitation of her own. "Please accept my olive branch."

Sarah took the envelope without displaying any emotion on her face one way or the other and placed it on her lap. When she looked back up at Andrew her face transformed into her fakest Regina George smile. "Sure thing, King. Wouldn't be a party without me there," she sweetly sneered. "So, better hope I'm there."

And in one swift motion she clicked the window up and reverse spun out of the clearing leaving Andrew standing there in the dust shaking his head but with a little smile on his face. Despite their petty fight today Andrew knew Sarah wasn't really mad at him anymore and could see through her stoic façade. Like brother and sister bickering they would always make nice in the end.

"What was that," I asked as I held onto the ceiling handle above the window for dear life as Sarah gave me her best audition for The Fast and the Furious.