Chapter 58

Jessica quickly hung up. "What a crazy man," she thought to herself. Noticing her flushed cheeks, Robert tilted his head slightly toward her and asked, "What's going on with you? Feeling warm?" She touched her cheek and smiled. "Yeah, probably from the heater." When Jessica got to Robert's place, she sent Zachary her location and even took a photo, making a peace sign without showing her face. Robert's place was an antique-style villa. Right at the entrance, there was a fountain that had already dried up and frozen over. "Ms. Hawthorne!" Jessica spotted her teacher, Mabel Hawthorne, who was just about to come out and greet them. "You're here, Jess!" Mabel was a little plump, and her coat was tight enough to show the rolls underneath. They gave each other a big hug, while Robert stood to the side with his hands in his pockets, eyes on Jessica. After some small talk, Mabel said, "You mentioned over the phone that you wanted to pick some wintersweet flowers from my garden. You ca