Read My Fairy Godmonster for Free Online

door.
    Claire hurries to the floor mirror.
    “Oh, how beautiful!”
    “All the furniture belonged to my mom.”
    She runs her fingers over the beautiful chest
of drawers. “Your mother has wonderful taste. Can you tell me about
her?”
    “You’ll have to ask David. She died when I
was born.”
    “I’m so sorry. Forgive me. I didn’t
know.”
    “It’s okay. It’s not your fault that my
brother never talks about her. I used to ask Dad questions, but he
looked so lost, it was worse than not knowing about her.”
    Claire says, “Don’t you have any relatives
you could ask?”
    “Some distant cousins. They live in
Europe.”
    “Surely there is some information inside
these trunks.”
    “Haven’t opened them.”
    Surprise fills Claire’s face. “Why not?”
    I shrug.
    “If it were me, I’d have to know what’s in
them,” she says.
    Why haven’t I opened them? Probably because I
forgot they’re here. Or because I’m busy with the ranch. Or maybe
because I’m afraid to.
    “Maybe I’ll rummage around after the
wedding.”
    “If you don’t find what you want to know,
I’ll get David to tell me. Then I’ll tell you. A girl should know
about her own mother.”
    She sounds sad.
    “Do you know your birth mother?”
    “No. They sealed the papers and won’t tell
me.”
    “That’s awful.”
    “ Yes, it is.”
    Claire moves to the door. “See you in the
morning.”
    “Goodnight, Claire.”
    I put on my t-shirt and wonder what’s worse.
Knowing your mother is dead or not knowing anything about her.

Chapter 9: Do Not Enter – Interloper
     
    The warmth of the sun shines
across my face. Oh, oh. I roll over and look at Mom’s crystal clock. Seven a.m. I overslept. Dressing
quickly, I rush downstairs hoping everyone isn’t mad at me for not
cooking breakfast sooner.
    I hurry into the kitchen and stop like I hit
a tree. Mrs. Dudley is frying bacon.
    “Hello, Winifred. Your father went out to the
stables to feed that beast. He asked me to take over the cooking
chores. It’s hard to say no to him. Such a handsome man.”
    Shivers wiggle up my spine.
    “He said you wouldn’t mind. Do you?”
    Yes, you thieving rat. I keep my mouth shut
for Dad’s sake.
    She keeps talking. “It’s been so long since I
cooked. I didn’t realize how much I missed it. With my experience,
it might be easier for me to handle the cooking, don’t you
think?”
    I grit my teeth.
    “Whatever,” I manage to croak. I can’t get
out of the house fast enough. I run through the kitchen and out to
the stable looking for Dad.
    He’s in his office. Kong leaps up and
slobbers on my shoes. I pet him, trying to calm down.
    “Good morning, Win.”
    “How could you let that woman into my
kitchen?”
    Dad frowns. “I don’t like the tone of your
voice. You will be civil.”
    “But, Dad, you didn’t even consult me!”
    “Before they arrived, you complained about
cooking for nine people. I thought you’d like a break.”
    “She’s taking over.”
    Dad says, “You can handle it. In a month
it’ll all be over. Everything runs smoothly here at the ranch
because we divide chores and work together. You need to sit down,
talk with Mrs. Dudley and organize a schedule.”
    “Do you see the way she treats me? And she
drools over you.”
    Dad frowns and ignores the comment. “Now, I
really have to work on the finances for that stallion. I need to
buy him before anyone else does. This ranch needs to expand if we
want to keep it.”
    Cold chills wash over me. “What are you
taking about? Is the ranch in trouble?”
    “Not yet. We need that stallion for breeding.
It will be an enormous financial boost. Eleven months of pregnancy
and training colts until they’re ready to ride, takes time. With
rising costs for equipment and vet bills, we need to expand now.
I’m pretty sure I have enough saved. If we don’t buy one now, we’ll
barely keep ahead.”
    “Why haven’t you told me this before?”
    “School is your priority. Talk to