"Hurry up with the dishwasher," Zee said impatiently.

"If you and Percy could make a run around the dining room, please," Lace requested, "We'll do the rinsing and load it."

Terry was standing next to the open appliance as she ran dishes under hot water to get rid of sticky leftovers.

"Come on, Percy, I know there are some glasses and snack dishes in my Dad's sitting room, and I've got a coffee mug in my room." She tugged his hand and headed up the back stairs.

"Should you be taking me up here?" Percy asked.

"I'm not an eighteenth century maiden. Dad won't kill you if he finds you here. Besides, you need to meet him anyway." Zee stopped at the first door in on the right. "This is my room. If you're worried, wait here. I'll get the mug."

Zee opened the door and darted inside. Scooping up her mug with one finger through the handle she came out and closed the door. "See, no problem. If you look down there." she pointed behind them and past the stairs they'd taken up, "that's the door to the attic. It was locked until a few days ago."

"So, that's where you found the open window?" Percy asked.

"Yeah, Dad did. I wasn't around. But I want to see the room at the back, and there are a couple more rooms on the other side where Lace and I saw the ghost this morning. She was creepy." Zee walked down the hall to an open archway. Turning left, she went into a comfortable sitting room with a small sound system and a smart TV.

"Dad, I'd like you to meet Percival Wilson. He's the one you've been teasing me about."

Her father put down the book he'd been reading. "Well now, I'm pleased to meet you. Percy or Percival."

Percy was blushing a bit, and Zee didn't mind at all. He was so cute.

"Um, Percy. My mom uses Percival when she's pissed off at me, and Miss Emma, our drama teacher, has always called me that. I can't get her to use Percy."

Zee watched them shake hands. Percy was the first guy she'd ever introduced either of her parents to, and her eyes misted a bit when she thought of her mother.

"What's the matter, Zee?" Percy dropped her father's hand and turned to study her face. He curled an arm around her waist in a half hug.

"I wish Mom were here. You're the first boy I've ever introduced to my family. I miss her."

"I miss her too, Zee." Her father studied them and continued, "It hits me harder at times like this."

"I'm sorry for your loss, Mr. Henderson. I can't imagine what life would be like without my mother." Percy said, and Zee felt his arm tighten in sympathy.

She brushed the single tear from her cheek as it escaped her control.

What gives? I can usually control every little nuance of the image I want to project. Why are my feelings out of whack? This is so awkward.

"Thank you, Percy. I'm glad Zee has a friend like you." He stressed friend and she smiled. She knew he wasn't happy to have her growing up on him.

"We came up here looking for dishes and glasses. We're loading the dishwasher, and then we're going up to the attic." Zee swung the mug up to show her father.

"There's a tray over there. I loaded it with my dirty stuff. I was going to bring it down earlier, but I got involved in a book. First time I've relaxed like this in a very long time. Be careful up there. There are loose boards, and there's not much light. I'm getting an electrician in to take care of that. The rooms need to be cleaned and redecorated."

Zee put her mug on the tray and picked it up. "I'll take this. I wouldn't want you to trip and drop it."

Percy smiled ruefully. "I'm pretty clumsy these days. Can't seem to figure out where my feet and hands should go."

"Not on my daughter," Matt teased them. "I trust you not to hurt her, at least not intentionally." Her father took his reading glasses off to get a better look at Percy.

"Do you want to know what we find up there?" Zee asked.

"Only if you find another ghost." Amusement sparkled in her father's eyes.

"Lace and I saw someone up there. At least we think we did. We want to see what's in those rooms."

"Well the first one was an intruder. It's been quiet up there since we boarded up the window."

"This was different. We'll let you know, Dad." Zee left the room with the tray, heading for the kitchen.

Percy turned back and she heard his deep voice as he spoke to her father.

"Sir, I would never hurt Zee if I can help it. She's pretty special."

"I'll hold you to that. She's my world now." Her father's words tightened around her heart.

"Yes, sir."

"Now go finish in the kitchen. I'm sure Zee is more than impatient to get into the attic."

Zee whirled, hurrying toward the stairs, holding the tray in both hands. She didn't want Percy to know she'd been eavesdropping. She took her time going down. The tray made it harder to keep her balance. Strange how not being able to see what was right under her feet made such a difference. Percy caught up with her at the landing before she turned down the second flight between floors.

"Well, that was awkward."

"I know, but it's over with." Relief colored Zee's words.

"For a professor, your dad has one hell of a grip," Percy complained.

"Yeah, he loves woodworking. He made my furniture in my bedroom. He's designing a new workshop. We brought the tools, but there's nowhere to put them, and they're stored in the stalls in the stable."

"So, that's what those crates are."

"Yeah, no horses until the workshop is built."

"Hurry up," Lace's call had her switching the tray to her hip so she could hold the bannister.

"Coming! There's more for the dishwasher." Her dad was right she couldn't wait to get up into the attic.