Raine got her luggage and sent her Lyft driver on his way, and had barely made her way back to Gale when they both turned toward the sound of another set of tires crunching on the gravel driveway. Her jaw dropped when she Ember got out. "Hey, did you two plan to be here?" she asked in the middle of hugs, and was surprised when they both said no. So, this was some weird coincidence?<br/><br/>They were all chattering over each other, typing to figure out what was going on, when the tall guy who'd been standing in front of the house spoke and explained what was happening without really explaining anything at all. He gave them each a key and told them that the house was theirs if they stuck around for two weeks - not a problem for her because that's how long Raine had planned her trip for - and then explained that he'd be checking on their progress.<em>What progress? Are we supposed to clean up the place?</em>She opened her mouth to ask and then shut it again when the man gave her a stern look that let her know he'd not welcome interruption in the middle of his speech and continued on.<br/><br/>When he finished, holding out his pen...his quill?... in anticipation, none of them took it. Instead, they all looked at one another. What was going on? Who<em>was</em>this guy? Was this some sort of joke?<br/><br/>"I don't know," Raine answered when Gale asked her and Ember what they thought. "I don't even understand what's going on. I didn't tell you guys I was coming up here and it seems like you two didn't plan this either, and yet we're all here and this guys is acting like we had an appointment. I was going to call Grandma's neighbor to let me into the house. I figured old Mrs. Stonewall would have a key and would drive over."<br/><br/>She turned to the old man who was looking at them expectantly. "Um, excuse me, but who are you?" she asked. He looked affronted.<br/><br/>"I am who I am," he answered impatiently. "And as I told you, I am busy. You need to sign this so I can get on my way. Don't you understand the rules and stipulations?"<br/><br/>Raine didn't understand what was happening. She looked back at her cousins. "I don't know what is going on. I don't even get what progress he's supposed to check in on. Is this something Grandma wanted? Why wouldn't she have told us? I'm going to follow your lead on this. But something is telling me we should sign whatever he wants. I don't understand it, but I feel like I need to sign."<br/>