She’d let go of the staff a few days before. She hurried to answer it and saw a messenger boy holding out a slip of paper to her. “For Miss Ruby Talcott.” “I’m Ruby Talcott,” Ruby replied. Taking the paper, she looked at the markings and saw that the telegraph came from London. Who would be contacting her from England? The boy cleared his throat and when she looked at him, he had his hand out. “Oh, right.” She reached behind her to the foyer table and snatched up her purse. She pulled out a coin and handed it to him. The boy grabbed the coin, tipped his hat, and darted away. Ruby closed the door, her mind once again turning to the message. Making her way down the hallway to the veranda where Merridie and Eden sat eating breakfast, she opened the envelope and read. There were only a few sentences, but Ruby’s heart stopped for a brief second before racing off like a Thoroughbred. “Merridie! Eden!” she called out, racing to the veranda. Both her friends looked at her in surprise as she burst outside.
