Page 159 of Dust Storm

CASSANDRA

August

Bree clung to the airplane armrest as we made the descent over DFW. “Gracie’s gonna be so jealous,” she said with a giggle as she pressed her nose to the window.

I smiled to myself as I raised the seat back tray and fastened it. “She’ll get her turn for her birthday.”

“Yeah, but I got to go first.”

“You’re the oldest. Your dad decided you were the test subject. That way if you got kidnapped, he still has a spare.”

Bree laughed and dropped her head onto my shoulder. “You like us.”

I huffed dramatically. “I suppose you’re not awful.” But she knew I was kidding.

I loved the girls.

“You’re gonna miss us when school starts again.”

I pressed my cheek to the top of her head. “Maybe I’ll have to make an appearance to scare the hell out of your teachers or come have lunch with you or something. ”

“At least Principal Beeker is gone.”

I stuck my tongue out and gagged. “Thank goodness for that.”

Bree laughed. “You know, I’m glad you’re with Dad.”

“Yeah?”

I had officially become a Texas resident at the beginning of the summer and moved all my things out of my apartment and into Christian’s house.

He severely underestimated my clothing collection and quickly realized that giving me half of his closet wouldn’t cut it. The guest room became the ladies dressing room, and Bree and Gracie went nuts.

Christian just chalked it up to a future investment since his daughter’s social lives were blooming and their wardrobes were exploding.

He would have a cow—ha—at the haul Bree and I were bringing back from the city.

We had spent four blissful days traipsing around Manhattan, posing like tourists, eating our way through the city, and going to show after show.

Bree and I were blissfully exhausted, and a little thankful to be going home.

I still couldn’t believe a cattle ranch was home, but it was.

“You’re the best evil stepmother,” she said as she pressed into my arm.

I had joined Christian and Claire in the rotation of after-school activity pickup, which prompted Bree and Gracie to start introducing me by saying, “This is our evil stepmother, Cassandra. She’s only given us two poison apples today.”

I loved the terrified looks that the dance teachers, swim instructors, and summer camp counselors had.

A little fear was healthy.

When they had pulled that line the first time I picked them up from therapy, the therapist died laughing.

“I’m glad I’m with your dad, too,” I said, nudging her back. “I think I got a pretty good three-for-one deal. I won’t lock you in a tower … today.”

Bree went quiet for a moment. “Do you think Uncle Ray will let me see him when we get back?”

I didn’t want to crush her spirit, but I had a feeling that Ray hadn’t made much progress in the few days we had been gone.

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