Page 31 of Halloween with a Daddy
My first order of business is to make an appointment with the cleaning service to let them know Grimwillow Manor will need more attention than normal. After that, I clean up some myself. To Mark’s credit, he didn’t leave a gigantic mess behind. Maybe he put the girls he was with to work after breakfast. The kegs are outside, probably waiting to be picked up, and the trash has been taken out. There are a few things that I’d rather clean now than wait for the cleaners. It also keeps my mind occupied since I’ll sit around thinking about Bethany if I don’t keep myself busy.
I stay distracted long enough to get a text from Bethany, letting me know she’s ready to be picked up. Before I can leave, I get another text. This one is from Mark.
Mark: Hey, I hope I cleaned up okay. My dates needed me to drive them home.
Edgar: That’s fine. I took care of everything else and the cleaners will come on Tuesday. Are you coming back?
Mark: Nah, I need to sleep. I have work tomorrow.
Edgar: It’s the middle of the day.
Mark: I didn’t have much time to sleep last night.
Edgar: Enjoy your nap.
Mark: Thanks and thank you again for letting me use Grimwillow Manor for the party! Everyone had a great time. Even you!
Edgar: No problem. We’ll talk again soon.
I walk outside to my car and drive to Amelia’s apartment building. Bethany is waiting outside, holding a rather large bag. She throws up a thumb like a hitchhiker, so I decide to play along. I pull to the curb and lower my window.
“Need a ride somewhere?” I look over and chuckle.
“I need someone to take me to Grimwillow Manor.” She leans forward and drags her shirt down enough to expose some of her cleavage. “My Daddy is waiting on me.”
“Is that so?” I narrow my eyes. “What do you think he’s going to do to you when you get there?”
“All sorts of bad things, I hope!” She laughs as I reach over to open the door.
“Everything okay with Amelia?” I ask as she sits climbs in with the bag resting on her lap.
“Her mom is here now, so everything is fine.” She nods. “I’m sure Amelia will be miraculously healed up in no time, just so she doesn’t have someone hovering around.”
“At least she called her.” I point to the bag. “What’s that?”
“Oh, it’s the costume I was supposed to wear last night.” She unzips it, and I immediately smell blackberry vodka. “I’m going to try to clean it before I ask my grandmother to do some repairs.”
“It looks beautiful.” I lean over and inspect it, ignoring the smell. “Your grandmother made this? She’s a fantastic seamstress.”
“Yeah, I wish I could have worn it.” A smile spreads across her face. “But my evening as a scandalous schoolgirl turned out better than I expected.”
“I have no complaints at all.” I chuckle.
“Me either.” She zips up her dress. “I might not be a scandalous schoolgirl today, but I’m sure I could come up with something that would give my Daddy a reason to spank me.”
“Are you mine for the rest of the day?” I reach over and take her hand.
“For a bit, yeah.” A mischievous grin teases the edge of her lips. “I have to go home tonight or my grandparents will come looking for me.”
“You mentioned your grandmother was as obsessed with Grimwillow Manor as you are, right?” I give her an inquisitive glance.
“Yep, I learned everything I know about the place from her.” She nods. “Well, everything I knew before last night.”
“Do you think she’d like a tour?” I ask.
“She’d love a tour.” Bethany’s face lights up. “Would you give her one?”
“I was thinking you could do it.” I chuckle. “You know all the best stories now.”
