Page 43 of Cinder
Ella gives me a smug look. Until Mrs. V. points her in the direction of a sack of potatoes on the counter. “And you can get to peeling twenty-five potatoes for tonight’s supper.”
Ella’s smile fades quicker than smoke in a storm.
Our eyes meet, and I give her a nod. “Catch you later, Little Cinder.”
I walk away with a grin.
And a raging need to know more about Ella and why I can’t get her out of my head.
CHAPTER 20
Ella
The restof the day goes by in a blur of activity. Mrs. V. keeps me so busy I don’t have time to think. From peeling potatoes and washing the large breakfast pots and pans, to stacking the dishwasher, wiping down counters and vacuuming.
When she disappears to run some errands, she hands me a list of things to do while she’s gone. Clean coffee pot. Unstack dishwasher. Mop floors.
But before I start, I decide to take advantage of people being gone and sneak to the library to look for the book.
The clubhouse feels empty as I walk slowly through the foyer and along the corridor toward the library. My heart is pounding and my pulse is racing in my ears, because if I getcaught sneaking in for a second time, I’m not sure I can hide my guilt, and I don’t want to trigger any suspicion.
I just want to get the book and go.
“You must be the new girl.”
I almost jump out of my skin when the chirpy female voice behind me comes out of nowhere. Spinning around, I come face to face with a woman wearing tiny shorts, a tight shirt tied under her waist, and the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.
She giggles, and it’s sweet. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Startled, I laugh to shake it off. “That’s okay, you didn’t. I thought I was alone.”
She’s cute. About my age. Her hair cut into a bright blonde pixie cut.
“Yeah, the boys are out doing club stuff and everyone seems to have scattered for the day.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Mya. You must be Ella.”
I shake her hand. “I am. It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’ve been dying to meet you ever since I heard you were coming. I’m like the unofficial welcoming party.” She slides her arm through mine. “Come on, let’s go get a coffee. I’ve got a hundred questions.”
Mya is so sweet as she leads me away from the library and back toward the kitchen. Her energy is welcoming and infectious, and I find myself enjoying the distraction.
I figure the book can wait.
Besides, I don’t think Mya would give me the option to say no.
In the kitchen, I grab a couple of mugs and place them on the counter. But when I head for the coffee pot, Mya cuts me off.
“You sit. I’ll fix us a coffee.”
She turns and grabs the coffee pot from the other counter.
“Looks like Mrs. V. has got you well trained already,” she says looking at the tidy countertops.
“Tell that to the plate I just broke. Wait, you didn’t hear that from me. Please don’t tell Mrs. V. She might just make me peel another twenty potatoes.”
Mya winks as she pours the coffee then hands me a cup. “Your secret is safe with me, honey.”
She leans against the counter across from me.
