Chapter 5: Do Not Stop! Incoming Aliens

The next day, I show Scott how to clean a horse stall.

“What’s shoveling manure got to do with riding horses?” he asks.

“If you ride a horse, you need to know how to take care of one. Cleaning the tack comes next.”

Scott stares into my eyes. “How come you don’t want me to ride your horse?”

I sigh. “Nobody’s ever been on his back, but me.”

“Will I be in danger?”

I laugh. “Hardly. Dancer is a great horse.”

Dad appears at the stable doors. “Our company has arrived.” He scowls. “By limousine.”

Kong runs to Dad, wagging his tail.

“Stay, Kong,” he says.

Kong plops down on the ground.

I look at Scott. “I gotta’ go.”

He says, “I can handle the rest.”

“Thanks.” I try to ignore the flutters in my stomach. I join Dad and we walk toward the kitchen.

“Did you know Claire’s family is rich?” Dad asks.

“David told me.”

Dad frowns when he notices how dirty I am. “The Dudley’s are in the living room. What will they think of you?”

“We live on a ranch, Dad.” I remove my boots outside the kitchen door. “Want me to shower, first?”

He hesitates. “No, wash your hands and come in and meet them.”

We walk into the kitchen and I overhear a soft, woman’s voice.

“Otis, I cannot exist here.”

A gravelly voice answers, “Come on, Erminia. It’ll be like old times.”

“I want to forget old times,” she mumbles.

Dad and I glance at each other. His face looks grim.

I turn the water on hard and wash up, hoping the sound alerts our visitors. Following Dad into the living room, I stop in the doorway. Dozens of suitcases and trunks fill every space. The rich smell of new leather permeates the room.

“Winifred, meet Mr. and Mrs. Otis Dudley. My daughter, Winifred.”

I stare. Rich doesn’t describe the wealth that drips off these people. Mrs. Dudley’s jewels shine against her slender black dress. Mr. Dudley wears an expensive grey suit with a huge diamond tie tack.

“Sure you want to stay here?” I blurt without thinking.

“Winifred, mind your manners.” Dad frowns at me.

Mrs. Dudley’s back straightens. She has dark hair, a sharp pointed nose, small ears and a long, skinny neck. She smiles. It doesn’t reach the black holes of her eyes. Eyes that seem to suck you in. As much as I try, I can’t see her as anything but a weasel.

That’s how I think of people. Like what kind of animal they’d be. Dad is like a horse: strong and handsome, a member of the herd who knows his place. David is like a cougar: smart, with grace and power. Not sure what I’m like. Maybe a deer, ready to run at the sign of trouble, but with porcupine quills if I’m pushed into a corner.

“How do you do, Winifred,” Mrs. Dudley says in a sweet, quiet voice.

Uh-oh, I think. Cinderella’s wicked stepmother has nothing on Mrs. Dudley.

Weasel continues, a slight Eastern accent to her voice, “I do hope you don’t mind our staying here. We want to get to know our extended family and it would be inconvenient to drive fifty miles back and forth to town while planning the wedding.”

“I hope you’ll be comfortable.” I hold out my hand.

Mrs. Dudley raises her nose an inch. She takes the ends of my fingers and shakes them - like I’m infected.

“Sorry. Been shoveling manure.”

Mr. Dudley’s cell phone rings. He grabs my hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m sorry, I need to answer this. It’s the only way I can leave my business for a month.”

Mr. Dudley looks like the Angus bull on our neighbor’s ranch, lots of beef with little feet for someone so big. His southern twang is way different than his wife’s proper accent.

“Daria is already in your room,” Dad says.

Weasel sniffs, “She likes to get settled right away. Charles said you wouldn’t mind.”

Charles! She’s already calling Dad by his first name? “Sure.” I force a smile. “It’ll be fun having someone to share a room with.”

My brother and John come in from the garden laughing and smiling. David is holding hands with a girl. I gasp. Claire is perfect with a slender body and abundant curves in the right places. Her honey-blonde hair frames a face that is beautiful and sweet. I worry when her big, blue eyes seem to look into my soul. Can she see my wretched, jealous heart?

“Win, this is Claire,” says David proudly.

Claire hugs me, not even caring how dirty I am.

“I am so happy to meet you.” Claire beams at me. Her voice sounds like music. No wonder David loves her.

“Welcome to Oregon,” I say to Claire, half won-over in spite of myself.

David whispers in my ear, “Isn’t she great?”

Mr. Dudley hangs up his phone and John shakes his hand.

“Hi, I’m John Masters, the best man.”

“Otis Dudley and my wife, Erminia.”

“Happy to meet you,” John says.

“Let’s get you settled into your room, Sir.” David picks up some suitcases.

“Call me Otis, David.”

“Think I’ll go meet my new roommate,” I announce.

I catch the look that passes between my brother and Claire. What is in my room, an evil stepsister?

Racing up the stairs, I wonder what Daria is going to be like. It might be fun having a younger kid around. I peek inside my bedroom door. Daria is unpacking. Putting her clothes in my drawers. My things are piled on the bed.

I stomp inside. “Hey, what are you doing?”

Daria turns around. She’s small for seven, a clone of her mother. I shiver.

“I need more space,” she says.

I want to throw this alien into space. My prized collection of horse figurines is pushed into a corner of the bookcase.

“I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t touch my things.” My voice cracks from trying to hold my temper. “This is my room.”

Daria looks at me and smiles, like a crocodile.

“Okay.” She takes out another drawer and pours my clothes onto the bed.

She smiles, “See, I didn’t touch anything.”

Heat flames inside my body like wildfire. Red flashes behind my eyes. It takes all

the control I have not to slap her sassy face. Shaking from holding my temper, I turn away and lean over to pick up my pile of clothes. Something underneath wiggles. A huge black paw shoots out from underneath. Sharp claws rake across my hand.