The children stared at Ashley for a long moment before slowly nodding in understanding.
Satisfied, Ashley turned toward Ophelia.
The older woman was still staring at the children with a mixture of surprise and disbelief.
She had expected them to resist. Even forcing them to leave would have created another problem. Yet somehow, all it had taken was for Ashley to claim she was a superhero.
"Ophelia."
The soft call snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned and found Ashley standing only a step away.
"Start moving them as early as now," Ashley whispered, keeping her face turned away from the children. "I have a feeling I won't be able to wait until dinner."
Ophelia's eyes widened.
"But, Miss—"
"My men are usually early," Ashley explained. "Never late, and rarely exactly on time. I only just realized we might not have enough time."
She held Ophelia's gaze. "Can you do it?"
Ophelia pressed her lips together as she searched Ashley's eyes.
