by Regina Duke
Kevin chuckled. “Well, you know how I feel.”
“Yes. You think it’s a phase. I hope you’re right. Your father is investigating prices on some very stern Swiss schools.”
“Oh, you’re not going to seriously consider sending her away, are you?”
“When your father gets a bee in his bonnet, retreat is the safest strategy. That’s why you’re getting married in Colorado instead of New York.”
“About that,” said Kevin. But he was cut short by a knock at the door of the parlor.
“Is this a private party?”
“Zach!” Kevin stood up and embraced the ranch foreman. “It’s great to see you. Hey, you’ve finally succeeded in tanning your tough old hide to match your chestnut gelding. And is that gray hair?”
“Smart aleck. You got a lot of nerve, noticing my gray, when you ain’t been around for years.”
Krystal smiled softly. “You tell him, Zachary. I had to organize a wedding to get him back here.”
Zach’s eyes softened when he looked at Krystal. “Well worth it, ma’am. And just in time.” He handed her a folded letter. “This came in the morning mail.”
Krystal opened it and scanned it quickly. Then she crumpled it in her fist and threw it. “Oh, that man! Will he never stop?!”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Megan let herself doze on top of the quilt. She didn’t want to close her eyes because the room was filled with beautiful things and she was trying to catalogue them all in her memory. But her body demanded rest, so she dozed.
She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when there was a soft rapping at the door.
“Come in.”
Karla entered. She had washed the makeup off her face and hands but was still wearing the same clothes.
“Are you sleeping?” Her non-vampire voice was a pleasant contralto.
Megan’s brows met in a tiny frown. “I’m not sure.”
“I can come back.”
“No, no. Please. Come in.” She patted the bed for Karla to come sit.
Karla settled carefully next to her. “Thanks for not freaking out at the airport.”
Megan shook off the cobwebs of her nap. “No problem. You were amazing.”
“Really?” Karla brightened.
“Did you travel all the way from the ranch in costume?”
“Nah. I wore the cape as a sash and I didn’t put my face paint on until I got to the airport. I’d like to wear it all the time, but I break out.” She crossed her eyes then relaxed them.
Megan smiled. “So underneath the bleak vampire act, you are a comedian.”
“Shhh. You mustn’t tell the parents that it’s all an act. If they find out, they’ll never pay any attention to me at all. Krystal is already trying to ignore me. She thinks if she doesn’t react in any way, I’ll leave the Undead and rejoin the stupid boring Living.”
“My lips are sealed, Mistress Karla.”
“Cool. So, did you and Kevin do it yet?”
“Do it? Oh! No. I was raised to not do it until I was married, and—”
“Wow. So old Kev’s got a bride who can really wear white.”
Megan asked uncertainly, “Do you think I’m a dork?”
“No way. Lots of girls at my school take pledges not to do it before marriage. It’s the in thing.”
“Excellent. What are you wearing to the wedding?”
Karla rolled her eyes and stood up to go. “Here we go again. See ya.”
“Wait! What did I say?”
Karla paused, her hand on the door knob. “Mother has already told me I can’t attend as myself, so I will be in my room for the duration.”
“What? I don’t get it.”
Karla leaned against the door and crossed her arms. “Krystal said I can’t come as a vampire. So I’m not coming.”
“Oh, no!” Megan sat up. “No, please, I want you there. As yourself.”
Karla gave her a what-are-you-talking-about look. “As a vampire?”
“Yes! Can you just imagine the wedding pictures?! It will be awesome! And you are so talented with your makeup. I want you there, hissing at the photographer and crouching in the background. Everything!”
Karla’s eyes shot heavenward. “You do exist! You answered my prayers!” Even though she spoke with sarcasm, the joy in her heart was all too evident. “Thanks, Megan.” She rushed to the bed and bent to give Megan a hug. “I’ll cook up something super special!”
“I can’t wait.”
“I gotta go. I want to be at the dinner table in full regalia. I owe it to Queen Cookie of Culinaria.”
She flew out the door.
Megan chuckled to herself. Why did parents always overreact? She wondered if Karla’s school offered drama classes. The girl was a natural, and she was truly gifted as a makeup artist.
She tried to remember what her own life was like at fourteen. She cringed at the memory. Walking around with her eyes on the floor, shoulders hunched forward to hide her new bosoms. When she had to stand in front of her English class and recite a poem, she actually fainted! It took years to live that down. Her admiration for the dramatic Karla rose even higher. How creative to invent a different persona, one with power, a fearless vampire to deal with the life of a fourteen-year-old. Overall, she still had the same problems that Megan had at fourteen, but she was attacking them in a very different manner.
As she freshened up for dinner, she couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the wedding photos she and Karla would create.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Kevin retrieved the crumpled letter from the corner where Krystal had flung it.
“What’s going on, Zach? What’s this all about?”
Zach hooked his thumbs over his belt. “Your father wants me to make room in my schedule next week for a team of surveyors to come out and break up the property into parcels for sale.”
“He can’t do that! He doesn’t own this property.”
Krystal breathed through flared nostrils. Her words came with difficulty. “He’ll never stop! That’s why, that’s why—”
“She needs her medication.” Zach stepped to the door and called, “Cookie!” A moment later, he returned with an inhaler. “Here you go, ma’am.”
Krystal used the inhaler and sank back on her seat cushion, her eyes closed. After a few quiet moments, she spoke softly.
“That is why I called you when I did, Kevin. He has wagered with his Wall Street buddies that he will own this property the day after your birthday, and he has flaunted his disregard for my family history and any attachment I might have to all things Fineman.”
“It’s stupid to sell the ranch in parcels,” said Kevin. “It’s plain stupid to sell the ranch, period. I was hoping our lawyers would find a way out of this marriage requirement.”
“They said they stand very little chance in court because my parents set it up as an irrevocable trust. Besides, if a judgment came down in our favor, your father would use that in his own battle to defy the letter of the trust to take over everything I brought to the marriage and add cash to his foreign coffers. Off-shore bank accounts indeed.” She spat the phrase. Then she sat up and gathered herself together. “Have you warned your young bride about your father? He might try something before the wedding day.”
Kevin looked grim. “I think he already has. He had someone spying on us with binoculars.”
“The venomous old fart.”
“Mother!” Kevin shook his head and chuckled. “I don’t know how you’ve put up with him all these years.”
“What? Me, leave? And violate that ironclad prenup he insisted on? Lose everything that might possibly come to my children, out of spite for their father? Humph. I’m tougher than that. And I won’t let him win. Friday we will have a wedding right here in this room. That will secure your inheritance. And Monday, the lawyers will file the necessary papers, delivering the trust into your hands.” All the color suddenly dropped out of her face. She grabbed Kevin. “The license!
The marriage license!”
Kevin patted her arm. “All taken care of.”
Krystal slumped in relief. “All right, then. Now if your sweet young bride can survive the week, everything should work out.” She leaned against the back of the chair and let her head tip sideways against the wing. “Now let me rest for a few minutes before dinner, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure, mom.” Kevin left the room with Zach. Outside, he asked, “How is she really?”
“About the same. The stress of dealing with your father has taken its toll. But let me tell you, hearing you were on your way and you’d found a bride? Well, she has been much better since that phone call.”
“And the kids?”
Zach looked grim. “You saw your sister. Still into the vampire thing. Keegan? Well, your mother is too exhausted to tackle his addiction to computer games. He just sits around the house, glued to that danged tablet. He was so disappointed the first day they arrived, because Buttercup wasn’t available for fun and games. She’s getting older, and she’s got a lot on her plate right now. She’s staying out at the office with me during the day.”
“He’s not interested in the horses?”
“He came out to look, but he’s afraid of them. They’re too big, and he doesn’t have the upbringing you did. You better get out to the barn and say hello to Honey. That mare knew the minute you drove up, and she is having a fit.”
Kevin grinned. “Let’s go, then. We’ve got time before dinner.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Dinner was served in the family dining room.
Krystal stuck to her plan of ignoring Karla. The result was an immensely entertaining meal. The teen stalked Kevin, hissed at Queen Cookie every time she entered the room, and made a huge show of sniffing her baby brother.
Keegan was used to it. He pulled a piece of garlic out of his shirt pocket and rubbed it on his head. “Stay back, creature of the night,” he said, as simply as one would say, “Pass the salt.”
Karla’s reaction was worthy of Bela Lugosi.
Once dinner was served, Karla slipped into a chair next to Megan and began to eat with apparent gusto.
Krystal froze with her wine glass half way to her lips.
“Karla! You’re eating.” Every syllable full of hope.
Karla remained in character, using her vampire voice. “I have worked very hard for many months to adjust my digestive system to human food. I do what I must to survive.”
Kevin and Megan hid smiles behind their napkins. Karla had quoted Megan’s explanation almost word for word.
“I see,” said Krystal. “Very well. Bon appetit.”
Karla growled.
Krystal ignored her. “Pass the mashed potatoes, Kevin.”
Megan finished her roast beef and was on her second serving of mixed vegetables and potatoes when Krystal turned a schooled face to her. “Please tell us a little about yourself, my dear.”
Cookie moved efficiently, bringing trays of food, removing dirtied plates. She looked like somebody’s grandmother, with steel gray hair swept back and covered with an old chef’s hat. She was stocky, but gave the impression of strength, not excess weight. Her cheeks were pink and her pale eyes twinkled with humor.
Megan began by lifting her water glass in Cookie’s direction. “First of all, I’d like to thank Cookie for a wonderful meal. It’s all so delicious.”
Cookie seemed surprised and delighted at the same time. “You’re most welcome.” She winked at Megan and went about her business.
Krystal cleared her throat.
Megan took the hint. “Well, I grew up in northern California. My dad was a preacher and he had little churches in Cloverdale, Ukiah, and Willits. My mom stayed at home mostly. It was a full time job, making ends meet. We bounced around wherever the most parishioners showed up. I went to school at UC Davis.”
“What did you study?”
“Social Services. I was on my way to Seattle to start my first job at a community center there when my car was hit by a logging truck. The driver fell asleep at the wheel, and I ended up in the hospital for six months. The people at the community center were very sympathetic but had to hire someone else after three months. They were willing to keep me on a list, though.” She shrugged. “I hadn’t heard anything else from them up to the time I met Kevin.”
“Where are your parents now?” asked Karla. Then, in vampire voice, “I mean, where do thy parents dwell?”
“They’re in Central America. Dad wanted to build a mission.” Her voice faltered. “I assume they’re still there. I can’t seem to reach them.”
Megan was surprised by the kindness in Krystal’s tone as she said, “I’m sure they are quite all right, my dear.”
“Thanks. I hope so.”
Megan saw Krystal shoot Kevin a glance, but she let it go. This family had way too many quirks for a simple over-the-table glance to count for anything.
Keegan was staring into his lap.
Megan asked, “You okay, Keegan?”
Krystal’s tone sharpened. “Put that tablet away or I will smash it against a wall!”
“No!” Keegan jumped off his chair and ran out of the room, clutching his iPad to his chest.
Karla rolled her eyes. “Good one, Krystal. Superb parenting.”
Krystal glared at her daughter.
Megan forced a smile. “Too bad he doesn’t love the outdoors like his brother.”
Krystal and Karla broke off their glare fest and looked a question at Kevin.
Megan blinked. “You know. His summer job as a lumberjack.”
“Lumberjack?!” Krystal was horrified.
Karla was not. “Cool!”
Kevin dabbed at his lips with his napkin. “Mom, you said you knew all about what I was doing in Seattle.”
“I didn’t know you were risking your life running up and down mountains and dodging falling trees.”
Kevin kept it light. “It seemed like a better idea than paying a gym membership.”
Karla suppressed a smile. “He be buff,” she intoned.
Cookie served coffee and carrot cake. She leaned over Megan’s shoulder. “My own recipe. Cream cheese frosting.”
The carrot cake was so delicious, no one did much talking. When Krystal stood and excused herself after dinner, Kevin rose as well.
Megan got up. “I’m just going to help Cookie with the dishes.”
Krystal’s eyes widened, but she said nothing.
Karla said, “The Undead do not do dishes.” She escaped to her room.
Megan slipped into the kitchen. “Cookie, how can I help?”
Cookie peeked into the dining room to make sure everyone had left. Then she handed Megan a plate with a generous square of carrot cake on it.
“Would you mind taking this upstairs to little Keegan?”
Megan found his room easily enough. It was the one with the action hero posters. The door was ajar.
“Knock, knock,” she said softly, pushing the door all the way open.
“I’m busy,” said Keegan with as much authority as an eight-year-old could muster.
“Cookie sent contraband.” Megan closed the door behind her.
Keegan looked up from a computer screen, and his eyes grew big. “Yes! Cookie loves me!”
Megan smiled as he dug into the carrot cake. Even with a fork and the napkin she’d brought, he got more frosting on his face than in his mouth.
“You need a mechanical napkin,” said Megan. “You know, like a Transformer that knows which part of your face to clean.”
“Good idea. You want some?” He held up the demolished cake and offered his fork.
“Thanks, but no. I ate my piece downstairs.” She tilted her head to glimpse his computer screen. “What are you working on?”
“Feeding my dog.”
“On a computer?”
“It’s an avatar.”
“Wow. When I was your age, I didn’t know what that was.”
“When you
were my age, they didn’t exist.”
Megan laughed. “You’re funny!”
Keegan rubbed the napkin across his mouth. “Krystal says I’m rude.”
“You really know a lot about computers, don’t you?”
Keegan nodded eagerly. “But my dog keeps dying.”
“Oh, no!”
“I forget to boot the program. I have to feed him and give him water and walk him. All on the computer. Today he chewed up my sofa. See?” He turned the screen so she could see that the cartoon dog had indeed destroyed the cartoon sofa on the screen.
“He looks skinny.”
“I forgot to feed him again.”
“But you carry your iPad everywhere. Just feed him from the iPad.”
“Can’t. It’s an old program and I only have it on my computer. The iPad is too new for it. Krystal says I don’t need anymore games this summer. So I have to wait.”
Megan sat on the edge of Keegan’s bed. “Kevin says you’re a computer genius.”
Keegan shook his head. “Not really. I just know more than anybody else in the family. I’m not that smart at school.”
“Oh, I find that hard to believe. I’ll bet you’re doing really well. What’s your favorite subject?”
“Recess.” Keegan blew a raspberry. Then he said, “Math, I guess. But I like to read, too. And I love animal studies, but social studies is boring.”
“For a guy who loves animal studies, you seem to spend a lot of time with computers. Why not go out and study the ranch animals?”
“Are you kidding? They’re huge.” He rolled his eyes. “My favorite was Buttercup, but Zach said she can’t come out and play right now.”
“Buttercup?”
“She’s Zach’s yellow Lab.” Keegan’s face got wistful. “I love that dog.” His expression darkened. “Dad won’t let me have a dog in the apartment. He says they pee on the carpets. He doesn’t like dogs.” He turned and asked, “How can anyone not like dogs?!”
“I don’t know, Keegan. That’s a mystery to me, too. But I know how you feel. My father never wanted a dog in the house either. My mother snuck in a kitten, but we knew he’d throw a fit if we tried to get a puppy.” She sighed heavily. “I really want a dog.”