Page 157 of Huckleberry Hill
I set my phone aside and brushed my teeth. I looked in the mirror, grimacing in horror. My hair was a rat’s nest. I looked like I hadn’t slept at all, and my skin was pale.
“Burning the candle at both ends,” I said to my reflection.
I got into the shower and ten minutes later, I was dressed. I went and checked on Tempest, who was happy in her stall with fresh hay and bedding. The ranch hands pitched in and helped take care of her, just like they did for all the other animals.
I went to the main house. My head was in the fridge when there was a knock on the front door. I went to answer it and saw the postman I’d known since I was a child. He was delivering my boxes from New York. I signed for them, thanked him, and then maneuvered them into the foyer. There were six in all, and they were too heavy for me to cart up the stairs. I’d wait for my father or Declan and use them for their muscle.
I was in the middle of eating my breakfast when Muddy came in. “There’s a maze of boxes in the foyer,” she said in greeting.
“I can’t get them up the stairs. I need Dad or Declan.”
“Your stuff from New York, I’m guessing?”
“Yep.”
“Knowing Salem, there might be a gag gift in there as well,” Muddy said. “I’d open the boxes in private.”
“Hmm, thanks for the reminder.”
I set off a text to the group chat that I got my boxes and thanked them for their timely delivery. Salem replied almost immediately.
Salem
tell dad I used his credit card for the astronomical shipping costs.
Me
tell him yourself
Salem
*tongue stuck out emoji*
Wyn
have you opened them yet?
Me
No. They legit just showed up. Should I be worried?
Salem
Depends.
Me
that terrifies me
Poet
We just threw in some stuff as a going away present. Since we didn’t really get to have a party and all.
Wyn
yeah, Salem and I kinda added some more stuff after you went to bed.
Poet
