I'm not even parked when I see Victoria step out of the house.
"Don't even think about coming in with those muddy boots. Where have you been, anyway? It's freezing inside. Get some more wood for the stove."
I don't bother replying, not that she gives me the chance to. The front door closes behind her with a bang, and I sigh.
It doesn't take me long to pick a few logs for the stove because only last week I cut them all up and lined them along the side of the house, a mere few steps from the door. Of course, taking those steps and keeping the stove going is too menial a job for someone like Victoria.
"Ash!" Izzy says, running to me and nearly making me drop the logs.
"Hey, Izzy," I say, putting the logs down and giving her a hug. "How was your day?"
"Her name is Isadora," Victoria says from where she sits on the old chaise lounge, with a book in her hands.
I ignore her and look at Izzy, giving an exaggerated eyeroll. She giggles, and the sound makes me feel immediately better.
"Where's Annie?" I whisper so Victoria doesn't hear.
"She's in the bedroom, sulking. Anyway, did you get my iPad yet?"
I feel Victoria's eyes bearing down on me, even from behind. I know what she's expecting me to say, but she can get out there and look for a job herself if she wants an iPad to magically appear.
"Is it Christmas yet?” I say, looking around as if expecting a Christmas tree and decorations. “Besides, are you sure you’ve been a good girl this year?"
She nods and gives me a hug.
As I expect, Victoria's eyes are on me as I turn to light the fire in the stove.
"I will not have my children upset because of broken promises, Ashton. You better have Isadora's iPad in time for Christmas."
Once again, I don't answer back. In six years, you learn a lot, and I’ve learned that you don't answer back to my stepmother, and even when you don't quite do as she says, keep pretending you will.
She picks up her book, and I'm instantly dismissed.
Once upon a time, the farmhouse was full of people in and out all day. Everyone that worked at the farm was family and were welcome in the big kitchen where my mother always had a pot of coffee and a pumpkin spice cake, no matter the time of year.
Now, we have a handful of hired hands to work on the farm and make sure I have enough produce to sell at the farmer's market every day. They are definitely not welcomed by Victoria, in the kitchen, or anywhere in the vicinity of the farmhouse.
The one good thing about it is that the old foreman's cottage, that has been empty since we had to let go of Bill and his wife, Norma, is now mine.
Once the fire is going again, and I'm satisfied that there are enough logs to burn through the night, I close the door of the burner and get up.
"What?" Victoria asks when she notices me standing there a second too long.
"Nothing," I say.
"Well, since you decided to be late today, you'll understand why there's no dinner left for you."
I ignore her comment and walk to the girls’ room to see Annie.
"Hey, Annie."
She grunts and doesn't turn over from where she's lying face down on her bed. I approach carefully and tickle her sides as I sit down next to her. I know she won't be grumpy for long.
"What's the matter, sweetie?"
"Louisa from my class told everyone that I can't play the piano very well because our piano is old and sounds funny."
I pull her close to me and straighten her blonde hair.
