The photographer snaps her picture.
“Stop taking pictures if you want your money, James!” she hisses, glaring at him.
She turns to me. Her eyes are black now, face red with anger and humiliation. “This is your fault.”
“I wouldn’t cause anyone the embarrassment you’ve made me endure for the last month, Mrs. Dudley. Do you want my help?”
She almost refuses, until she looks at the crowd. She takes my hand and I haul her out.
“Daria, get out of there this minute!” Mrs. Dudley grabs Daria’s hand and tries to pull her out.
“Get Gazella, Mommy!” screeches Daria.
“Hush, you’re making a spectacle of yourself.”
“Gazella! Gazella!” wails Daria.
A sad-looking Godzilla perches on the top of the fountain, hissing. Kong barks and leaps to reach her. Water splashes everywhere.
Someone turns off the fountain.
Dad grabs Kong’s collar and drags him out of the water. “SIT,” he orders.
Kong obeys, panting in exhaustion.
Godzilla leaps into Daria’s arms. Twenty pounds of wet cat knocks her back in the water.
With the crowd laughing uncontrollably, Mrs. Dudley hauls Daria and her cat out of the fountain.
“I’m terribly sorry,” Dad tells Mrs. Dudley.
She glares at him, the dog and the guests, too mad to speak. Stiffly, with her nose in the air, she stalks toward the house, dripping and dragging Daria and her cat.
James snaps a few more pictures.
I whisper to him. “I want some of those pictures.”
He grins. “You bet.”
I hear a deep laugh and look up. Fairy Godmonster does loops in the air on her motorcycle. She shrieks, “I love a happy ending!”
Chapter 30: Slow Down - Life Ahead
Scott’s lips touch mine, ever so gently. The kiss lasts a long time. My body wants to shoot into the air like a firecracker.
I hear whistling. How can Scott whistle and kiss me at the same time?
My eyes pop open. A dream. So real, my lips are burning. I roll over and see Mom’s palomino horse on the pillow next to me. The leg is attached and looks like it has never been broken.
Tears well up in my eyes. “Thank you, Faro,” I say, hoping she hears.
I hear Scott whistling. Looking out the window, I see that the Dudley’s are almost ready to leave. I quickly pull on clothes and hurry out the front door.
Scott is helping the limousine driver load the trunks and suitcases.
“Now be especially careful with those last two suitcases, Scott. Don’t put anything on top of them.”
“Yes, M’am.” He winks when he sees me.
Daria is already sitting in the limousine, Godzilla in a cat carrier on her lap.
“Bye, Daria.” I smile. “Watch out for dogs at the airport.”
She glares at me and closes the window.
“Goodbye, Charles,” says Mrs. Dudley.
“You did a great job on the wedding, Erminia,” Dad says. “Thank you. I appreciate your help while I had to be gone.”
“You’re welcome, Charles,” she says. “Thank you for allowing us to stay with you. I know how inconvenient it is to board strangers.”
Dad hugs her and said, “We’re family now.”
Not to me, I think. No way. Not ever.
Her black eyes turn to mine. “Perhaps you can learn a thing or two from Claire while she stays here, Winifred.”
I smile at her. “Goodbye, Mrs. Dudley.”
She climbs into the limo and slams the door shut.
Dad shakes Mr. Dudley’s hand. “Have a safe trip, Otis, and let us know when you arrive home safely.”
“Goodbye, Charles,” says Mr. Dudley. “Thanks for everything. A few of my friends are quite interested in your stallion. Let me know when he sires some foals.” He smiles at me and says, “I have no doubt you’ll make your own luck, young lady.”
“Bye,” I say, smiling back.
He climbs in and the limousine driver takes off.
Dad, Scott and I heave huge sighs. We look at each other and laugh.
“Let’s get to work,” orders Dad in a voice like Mrs. Dudley’s.
We laugh again.
Dad strides off toward the stable.
I smile at Scott. This summer is going to be way cool.
He grabs my hand. “Time to work, cowgirl.”
“Think you can handle it, city slicker?”
We laugh and follow Dad.
Scott whistles all the way to the barn.
I look at his lips and quiver. Sometime this summer, I’ll make my dream come true.
###
I have always loved Cinderella stories. I hope you enjoyed reading this one as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thank you for purchasing this book.
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website/blog: http://www.denicehugheslewis.com
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: No Turn Around
Chapter 2: Be Prepared To Change Lanes
Chapter 3: Warning - Males Approaching
Chapter 4: Yield - Parent Control
Chapter 5: Do Not Stop! Incoming Aliens
Chapter 6: Not An Exit - Memories
Chapter 7: Do Not Stop On Tracks! Loose Feelings
Chapter 8: Watch Out! Control Freak
Chapter 9: Do Not Enter – Interloper
Chapter 10: Monster Crossing
Chapter 11: Fasten Seat Belt – Curves
Chapter 12: Be Prepared To Stop For Enemies
Chapter 13: Road Closed - Deserted
Chapter 14: Detour - Trouble Ahead
Chapter 15: Slippery When Wet
Chapter 16: Caution - Tread Softly
Chapter 17: Wrong Way - Catastrophe
Chapter 18: Speed Bumps
Chapter 19: Do Not Pass - Discovery
Chapter 20: Watch Out For Animals
Chapter 21: Work Ahead - Confrontation
Chapter 22: Pass At Your Own Risk
Chapter 23: Danger! Disaster Ahead
Chapter 24: Dead End - Prisoner
Chapter 25: Storm Warning - New Life
Chapter 26: Proceed With Caution
Chapter 27: Pedestrian Crossing
Chapter 28: Stop - Wedding/Reception
Chapter 29: Exit
Chapter 30: Slow Down - Life Ahead
My Fairy Godmonster Page 17