Page 99 of Unfiltered
“Oh, okay.” There was no mistaking that Ricki relaxed.
Abby’s head was spinning after the fifteen-minute drive to her house. Blythe had given her a rapid-fire summary about Cyn and Dapper before she launched into the fight she’d had with Ricki.
It was a lot to absorb in the short trip, so Abby’s nervousness had returned by the time she pulled into her driveway with Ricki right behind them. She’d start by showing them her garden before she subjected them to her literary home.
Maybe she should have told them about her unique decor beforehand. She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t, but it was too late now. Ricki would love it, but she wasn’t so sure about Blythe.
Abby seemed nervous during the tour of the garden, but then again, Blythe had unloaded a lot during the short drive. To Abby’s credit, she’d been natural with Ricki, so Blythe doubted Ricki suspected she’d told Abby about Missy.
“We’ll go in the front door,” Abby said. “Though, I usually enter from the back porch.”
Blythe gave her a puzzled look, but Abby either didn’t notice or ignored it. “Should we grab our bags out of the car?”
“Of course. Sorry I didn’t think of that.” Abby walked with them to the car.
“Your property is amazing.” Ricki tilted her head back and breathed in deeply. “I love the smell out here.”
“I do too until they fertilize the crops.” Abby smiled. “But that’s in the spring or fall, so you’re safe.”
Blythe considered asking what they used for fertilizer but decided she was better off not knowing.
With bags in hand, they approached the front door.
Abby paused with her hand on the doorknob. “Um, I hope you like it. I…um…never mind, I’ll just let you see for yourselves.”
Blythe shot Ricki a puzzled look, and Ricki returned the expression.
They stepped inside into a small entryway that opened into the living room. Blythe stared at the gaudy, over-the-top opulence of the decor. She’d not expected all the gold, mirrors, and velvet. She’d expected the house to be understated, like Abby.
Blythe shot a quick glance at Ricki, whose eyes twinkled as she took in the bizarre room. Did Ricki, whose house was done mostly in black and white, like this assault on the senses?
“This is the living room.” Abby offered no explanation for the garish decorations. She motioned for them to follow. “Ricki, you’ll have the spare room that doubles as my office. I hope it’ll be all right.”
When Abby pushed open the door, Blythe blinked at the contrast between the two rooms. Had the same person decorated it? As gaudy as the living room was, this room was understated and rustic. All the colors were earth tones without a hint of gold.
“This will be a perfect little hole for me,” Ricki said.
Blythe’s eyes widened. Had she just called Abby’s house a hole? Her gaze shifted to Abby, who’d put her hand on Ricki’s back.
“I’m glad you like it,” Abby said with a smile.
Ricki set her bag on the floor. “Love it.”
“My bedroom is down the hall.” Abby motioned for them to follow.
When they entered, Blythe’s senses were assaulted again. There were touches of gold, but not as obnoxious as in the living room since it had more colors: champagne, emerald, and ivory.
Blythe set her bag down without comment, while Ricki gazed at the room with narrowed eyes.Finally.Maybe she’d noticed how weird the house was.
Next, Abby showed them the cold, austere bathroom that was devoid of color, which was another juxtaposition to the rest of the rooms.
“I’m sure you’re starving,” Abby said. “I have a charcuterie board in the fridge, but let me show you the porch first.”
They walked through the kitchen, and Blythe gaped at the decor. With myriad glass jars full of god knew what, it looked like a kitchen a witch might use. She didn’t have time to reflect before Abby led them to the porch.
Blythe didn’t know where to look since her gaze bounced from one shade of purple to another. She finally settled on looking at the yellow sunflowers to stop her eyes from darting.Holy hell.What kind of house had she walked into?
Ricki picked up a pillow off one of the wicker rocking chairs and smiled.
