After taking her shower and changing, Amber left her room to explore the rest of the house. She bypassed the staircase leading to the kitchen and stepped to the bedroom door across the hall.Quietly so as not to disturb the dust bunnies dancing in the hall, Amber peeked around the door. The darkness inside required a moment for her eyes to adjust. Heavy antiques lined the walls while ornately framed portraits of long-forgotten relatives traced her movements and followed each step she took. Goose bumps formed on her arms.Thick velvet curtains hid the windows and a thin layer of dust marred the beauty of the wood furniture. The room held a treasure trove of unique items but the crowded and cramped style didn’t resemble her room at all. The difference fed her curiosity about the rest of the house.Amber peeked into each room to gain a better feel for the place. Each one proved to be the same. Stuffed with furniture, no light slipped through the heavy velvet curtains draped over the windows.Thoughts of how to improve each room filled her head with alluring ideas. If she inherited the house, she’d redecorate the entire place.When she reached Mattie’s door, she stopped. She wouldn’t enter Mattie’s room and invade her hostess’ personal space unless invited.She turned and strolled to the back staircase. The sound of someone talking drew her attention and she followed the stairs down to the lower lever.

Mattie sat at a small kitchen table, mumbling to herself. Near the bottom of the spiral staircase, a heat hit Amber.
She stared at red embers. “Wow, what a great place to have a fireplace! It must make coming downstairs for breakfast on a cold winter morning, a special treat.”

“Yes, it does.” Mattie gestured to an empty cup sitting on the table beside a tall decanter. “Would you like a cup of coffee? I believe there’s still some left.”

“Thanks. That’d be great. I hope I didn’t disturb you.” Amber shifted her chair to enjoy the view of burning logs.

“You didn’t bother me. I’ve been sitting here trying to decide how to explain the job of keeper to you.”

Amber added sugar and stirred her coffee. “So what did you come up with?”