Chapter Sixty-One
Alicia's POV
When I woke in the morning, the house was still quiet. Most of the family wouldn't be up for another hour at least. But Pa Wood was always an early riser, and I'd gotten into the habit of making him his morning tea.
I went to the kitchen and prepared it the way he liked. Strong, with just a touch of honey as usual. Carried it upstairs on a small tray toward his study.
The door was slightly open. I could hear voices inside. Pa Wood and someone else.
Malachi.
I stopped just outside, debating whether to come back later. But Pa Wood must have heard my footsteps.
"Come in, Alicia," he called out.
I pushed the door open. Malachi was sitting in the chair across from Pa Wood's desk. They had papers spread out between them. Business matters, probably.
"I brought your tea," I said, walking over to set it on the desk.
"Thank you, my dear. You always remember."
I smiled and turned to leave, but Malachi's voice stopped me.
