Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 247

Xena's POV

Ryder parked the car a short distance away so I could see the entire House and take it all in. It looked like if had weathered years of storms and neglect.

My heart started pounding as we approached. A white screen door stood in front of the wooden front door. As I got out of the car and started walking toward it, I noticed brushes and various tools scattered on one side of the porch.

The bushes had been trimmed back, and fresh flowers were planted the flower beds. No doubt Penelope had been out here working in the midday sun. There was even a decent-sized tree with small baby swing hanging from one of its branches. The swing was stained from accumulated rainwater and years of neglect, but knowing my mother had hung it there for Logan and me to use someday felt heartwarming.

Trash bags were filled with scraped paint and cobweb- covered rags, and there was a distinct smell of bleach in the air. Next to the

made me feel both grateful and sad. She was trying to maintain my mother's taste, to keep the feeling of this place intact. This attention to detail showed she

any tears left to cry, I probably would have broken down right

I climbed the steps, Logan opened the front door for me. Penelope had already gone inside and was

each other, and two matching black recliners directly facing the television. A glass coffee table sat between the sofas. A gray and white rug was spread between the two sofas but didn't extend to the recliners.

first impression was warmth. This was the kind of house where you could walk in and put your feet up on the couch without worrying about anyone getting upset. Pictures hung on the walls. I recognized my mother's parents from other photos Dad had shown us. Since Mom was an only child, I assumed those older baby pictures were of her. Photos in gold frames sat on the mantelpiece, which I guessed were of Mom growing up. One was of

kept everything exactly as I found it. I wanted you to see it before we make any changes," Penelope said, pulling my attention away

picked up the photo I'd been looking at and held it in his hands. "I won't throw anything away, but I'll put it somewhere

The white ceiling fan had gold trim designs. The curtains were pure white sheer material covering