(Avery)
I was still holding the case to my chest when there was a knock on my door. My heart jumped a little, and I set the case on the bed.
“Come in,” I called.
The door opened, and Caleb was standing there. He smiled at me. “Dinner is ready. It’s just you and Mom. Dad isn’t home yet.”
“Okay,” I said, pushing myself off the bed. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
He paused at the door. “After dinner, do you want to go see the gardens? We could walk around a little.”
I blinked. “Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. I’d love to go.”
He nodded and left, and I took a moment to smooth my clothes and hair before heading to the dining room.
Mom was already at the table. “Avery, come sit,” she said, smiling at me.
The food smelled good. It was pasta with garlic and vegetables, and I let the warmth o
