"This room's not out of style yet, is it?"

Calliope glanced around her bedroom. It wasn't huge, but everything in it was top- notch. From the plush mattress to the softest throw blankets and the latest gadgets-laptop, TV, you name it-she always had the best.

Ever since she was little, Kermit had spoiled her rotten. He'd bought her every kind of stuffed animal imaginable, and whenever there was a new video game console or fancy headphones on the market, they'd magically appear in her room. When Calliope was a kid, Kermit used to take her everywhere with him. Whether he was heading into the city-Capitalton, of course to collect rent or handle some business, he'd bring her along. He never brought her older brothers, but with her, it was different. He'd say the boys needed to learn to be strong and look after her, but as for her?

"You don't need to worry about a thing, Callie. I've set aside more than enough for you-you can live your life however you want, sweetheart."

Still, Kermit had always warned her to be careful. "Don't let the folks from the Jewell family, or anyone else, know what you've got. Unless you're sure you can protect it, you keep it quiet."

The money was just part of what he left her-he'd also given her a web of connections that most people could only dream of.

about Kermit made Calliope's eyes sting. She missed him—missed him every day since he'd gone. When he was around,

tree. He'd picked the spot himself, saying it had the best view and the best luck for the family.

a bottle of

and a picnic basket-some

Kermit's headstone. She and Silas tidied up the grave,

Calliope said, smiling through tears. "Bet you didn't see this

teasing look. "You were right, Grandpa. Gideon was

well, really looks after me. So

and rich. I totally hit the jackpot!" She laughed and shook her head. "You old fox, are you

things had turned out so differently this time. Maybe, just maybe, it was Kermit's doing. Maybe he really was

perfect spot. Feels like you're still looking out for us," she murmured, chatting

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