Chapter 162

The morning sun sparkled on the lake as Beatrix prepared to leave. The overnight stay had been a brief but needed escape from the constant pressure of the past months. Octavia stood on the deck, waving as Beatrix loaded her bag into the car.

"Come back next weekend," she called. "Bring Gideon next time. I need civilized company out here."

Beatrix smiled, knowing Octavia was far from lo