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Post by e on Jul 16, 2021 7:59:43 GMT -6
“It’s fine. I’m up to it.” Ben spoke in as much of a reassuring tone as he could come up with as his hand found the door handle. “The sooner the get back the sooner we can lay down.”
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Post by The Traveler on Jul 16, 2021 8:24:26 GMT -6
"Fair enough." Miranda was more than happy to acquiesce. She finished getting into the passenger seat, shutting the door behind her.
The drive back was quiet, at least on Miranda's end. Part of it was because she was lost in her head, replaying and reflecting on the events that had just occurred, but mostly it was because she was exhausted. She probably could talk - probably should talk - but had zero inkling to do so.
She finally spoke when they arrived back at their log cabin bed and breakfast, giving voice to the first thought that entered her head that had nothing to do with the events of earlier.
"You know, we could probably go back to our first choice," Miranda said, peering through the windshield at the wooden exterior. "First choice BnB, I should say. Not today though."
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Post by e on Jul 16, 2021 10:04:56 GMT -6
“How much longer do you plan on staying?”
There was quite a bit to unpack in that response. There was distance, of course, but also the implication that Miranda’s plans were entirely separate from whatever his own plans were.
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Post by The Traveler on Jul 16, 2021 10:33:42 GMT -6
His words caught her off guard. It took a moment for Miranda's brain to catch up and formulate a response. "Well, uh- as long as it takes to get my inheritance back," she answered, shifting her weight in the passenger seat. "I mean, two major obstacles were removed today, sure, but I need to get it still, handle all of the details. After, though... a day at most?"
Miranda was guessing - she had no idea if Trisha would be willing to speak with her about her inheritance given the fact that her mother had just been killed, but she had observed that her aunt had jumped into go-mode to stave off grief much like Miranda had done with her family. On one hand, it felt like she would be taking advantage of her aunt, but on the other, the sooner they both resolved this inheritance issue, the sooner Miranda could get out of Trisha's hair.
But still - how much longer do you plan on staying.
"Why?" Miranda asked in return. "When do you want to leave?"
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Post by e on Jul 16, 2021 12:42:37 GMT -6
“Soon.” Ben replied. Miranda probably should have expected a cryptic and unhelpful response. “I just didn’t really know what your plans were.”
He stepped out of the car without looking at her. The blankness had remained in his eyes ever since his wings had disappeared back at the manor.
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Post by The Traveler on Jul 16, 2021 13:01:07 GMT -6
Miranda sat in the car for a moment, before getting out herself. She debated the merits of pushing Ben for answers now, or waiting until later.
She sped up her gait to catch up with Ben, and took his hand in her own to get his attention. "Hey," she said. "I can tell you're not okay. What's going through your head right now?"
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Post by e on Jul 16, 2021 13:31:51 GMT -6
She was less than an inch away from his hand when Ben ripped his own away, as if her fingers were a cast iron that had just come out of the oven.
He swallowed heavily, looked over at his hand, then back to Miranda.
"Sorry. Habit." He muttered. "I am okay. We got the result we wanted."
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