Page 47 of A Place Like You

Wren: Seriously, he’s spending crazy amounts of money so he can cook?

Drake: Yep, he’s weird that way.

Wren: So Callahan needs to be in the security company. Gael in the kitchen. I need to start watching the rest to figure out what they used to do before they came here. River is always delivering things. Did he own a shipping company in his past life?

Drake: lol

Wren: It’s a valid conclusion.

Drake: He was just a pretty boy :wink: emoji.

Wren: So you’re not going to tell me what he used to do?

Drake: No, I think you’ve got too much information from me. If CQS finds out, they’re going to kick us out. Bye-bye, Kershaw brothers (forever).

Wren: Keep the dramatics for someone who’ll believe you.

Wren: Milo is up. Time to start my morning routine.

Drake: Say hi to your boy. See you soon.

Wren sent an image

Drake: I like that picture of him and his new stuffy.

Wren: Thank you for Paco the pterodactyl.

Drake: Don’t thank me. Finn got it for him.

Wren: Because you asked him. Don’t you think I know?

Drake: It was nothing. Talk soon.

* * *

Drake

As I step out of the cabin, River’s intense glare locks onto me instantly. “You still have to help at the ranch,” he says sharply.

I raise an eyebrow. “Are you the new hallway monitor?” I joke.

He doesn’t crack a smile. “No, but you can’t just bail on your duties because you got a job,” he insists, his jaw tensing. “You’re no different from Callahan. For the past month, neither one of you has done shit at the ranch. We’re supposed to be working there, remember?”

“We work during the weekends,” I point out, irritation flickering across my face.

“It’s not enough,” he grumbles.

“How’s that arm healing up? The one you badly burnt three weeks ago,” I ask, unable to resist a smug tone. “Oh wait, it’s nearly healed because I treated it at the clinic.”

River’s scowl deepens. “That’s not the point.”

“It is, actually,” I state, my patience wearing thin. “If I wasn’t at the clinic, no one would have been able to treat your injury as quickly. And Cal is working with CQS to resolve our case faster so we can get out of here.” I meet his glare steadily. “Sorry if you can’t see the bigger picture. But there are more pressing concerns than cows and chickens right now.”

“You forgot the horses,” he adds, his tone a mix of sarcasm and seriousness.

I roll my eyes. “Sorry, tell Sir Prancelot next time I go to the stables, I’ll bring carrots for him and apologize for not visiting him often. Happy?”

He squints, clearly unamused. “You’re not as funny as you think.”

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