timeframe. So we figured it would be best to put her in your spare room, versus right across the hall from us. You're hardly here, and I'm sure she could use the extra space."
Finn scowled. The extra space she was referring to was the man cave that he had created by turning their attached garage into his own living room, adding to the two bedrooms and bathroom that were on his side of the house. His own little apartment, furnished to suit his tastes with a large flat-screen TV, and a pool table for the rare occasions when he had company.
"I'm sure she would have been fine in the guest bedroom, if you ask me," he replied.
"Well. I didn't ask you. And no, Harry and I are newly married and need our privacy. Why should the three of us stay cramped up on that side of the house while you're over here in your mansion?"
"Because, she's not my daughter," he replied testily. While his mother may have had a point, he paid for every bit of the renovations out of his own pocket, and had been paying a large majority of the bills until Harry came around. It wasn't like Finn was living off of her hospitality. He felt like he was entitled to his space, or at least a heads-up discussion about sharing it.
"Finn, you’re being unreasonable and that ain't like you, sugar. She may not be your daughter, to use your words, but she's your stepsister now. So treat her like family."
With that closing statement, his mother was out the door, making sure to slam it behind her. Finn let out a frustrated growl and kicked one of his cowboy boots at the back of the door. It wasn't often that he butted heads with his mother, but when they disagreed, he was usually the one left licking his wounds.
Stepsister ?
How could she forget to tell him this?
The spare bedroom was separated from his room by the bathroom suite. It was clean, except for his art supplies and utensils. His easel was set up next to the bay window that gave him a grand view of the ranch, starting with the barn. Painting landscapes was what he did to relax, and for a bit of side income. In a huff, he marched into the room to gather up his things and head for the barn.
He wasn't in the mood to be cordial.
Raven was relieved that her father didn't make a big fuss over her arrival. Dorothy couldn't hide her surprise at the unexpected visit, but did a fantastic job of playing it off. Her father toted her luggage as her newly acquired stepmom showed her around the house.
It was as she imagined a ranch would be. The one level cedar wood house with decorative white pillars on the outside was modestly decorated and cozy on the inside. Modest until they entered the other side of the split-level home.
Dorothy explained that this was the area that her son, Finn, had remodeled into his bachelor pad. Raven wanted to ask if Mark Twain was her favorite author, but didn't think it would go over too well. The furniture was more modern than the rest of the house, including a huge flat-screen TV, tan leather couches and a pool table. The words Man Cave flashed in her mind. The fully stocked wet bar in the corner lead her to wonder what kind of person her stepbrother was. First impressions said he was the bona fide bachelor or playboy sort.
She heaved another sigh of relief when it became clear that the man in question wasn't home. Dorothy was miffed, mumbling that he was just there. But he wasn't at the moment and Raven was glad for it. Anything to get out of another awkward introduction. His room was down the hall from the guest room that she was taken to, so her plan was to make herself scarce. She would only be there for the summer. Less than that if she could help it.
Dorothy gave her a long hug and promised they would talk later.
Finally, she was alone.
Raven plopped down on the bed. The room was nice enough. The light blue paint used to decorate the walls added a calming touch. Besides the dresser and night table, the only other adornment to the room was a floor to ceiling mirror that
Finn scowled. The extra space she was referring to was the man cave that he had created by turning their attached garage into his own living room, adding to the two bedrooms and bathroom that were on his side of the house. His own little apartment, furnished to suit his tastes with a large flat-screen TV, and a pool table for the rare occasions when he had company.
"I'm sure she would have been fine in the guest bedroom, if you ask me," he replied.
"Well. I didn't ask you. And no, Harry and I are newly married and need our privacy. Why should the three of us stay cramped up on that side of the house while you're over here in your mansion?"
"Because, she's not my daughter," he replied testily. While his mother may have had a point, he paid for every bit of the renovations out of his own pocket, and had been paying a large majority of the bills until Harry came around. It wasn't like Finn was living off of her hospitality. He felt like he was entitled to his space, or at least a heads-up discussion about sharing it.
"Finn, you’re being unreasonable and that ain't like you, sugar. She may not be your daughter, to use your words, but she's your stepsister now. So treat her like family."
With that closing statement, his mother was out the door, making sure to slam it behind her. Finn let out a frustrated growl and kicked one of his cowboy boots at the back of the door. It wasn't often that he butted heads with his mother, but when they disagreed, he was usually the one left licking his wounds.
Stepsister ?
How could she forget to tell him this?
The spare bedroom was separated from his room by the bathroom suite. It was clean, except for his art supplies and utensils. His easel was set up next to the bay window that gave him a grand view of the ranch, starting with the barn. Painting landscapes was what he did to relax, and for a bit of side income. In a huff, he marched into the room to gather up his things and head for the barn.
He wasn't in the mood to be cordial.
Raven was relieved that her father didn't make a big fuss over her arrival. Dorothy couldn't hide her surprise at the unexpected visit, but did a fantastic job of playing it off. Her father toted her luggage as her newly acquired stepmom showed her around the house.
It was as she imagined a ranch would be. The one level cedar wood house with decorative white pillars on the outside was modestly decorated and cozy on the inside. Modest until they entered the other side of the split-level home.
Dorothy explained that this was the area that her son, Finn, had remodeled into his bachelor pad. Raven wanted to ask if Mark Twain was her favorite author, but didn't think it would go over too well. The furniture was more modern than the rest of the house, including a huge flat-screen TV, tan leather couches and a pool table. The words Man Cave flashed in her mind. The fully stocked wet bar in the corner lead her to wonder what kind of person her stepbrother was. First impressions said he was the bona fide bachelor or playboy sort.
She heaved another sigh of relief when it became clear that the man in question wasn't home. Dorothy was miffed, mumbling that he was just there. But he wasn't at the moment and Raven was glad for it. Anything to get out of another awkward introduction. His room was down the hall from the guest room that she was taken to, so her plan was to make herself scarce. She would only be there for the summer. Less than that if she could help it.
Dorothy gave her a long hug and promised they would talk later.
Finally, she was alone.
Raven plopped down on the bed. The room was nice enough. The light blue paint used to decorate the walls added a calming touch. Besides the dresser and night table, the only other adornment to the room was a floor to ceiling mirror that
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