“That is a story for another visit. No time now. Go find your job, and if you don’t find one, you’ll work for me.”
“I can’t do that, you don’t need anyone!”
She laughed and began to clear our plates. I jumped up to help, aghast that I hadn’t thought to do so already. My mother would slap me if she knew. “Jen, I have more money than I know what to do with. I’m here, running a book shop, because it makes me happy. It’s not for the money.”
“Oh.” Maybe I’d let her pay me to work in her bookstore after all. I’d see if anywhere else was hiring first, though. “Okay, well, I’ll let you know.”
When the dishes were done, I continued down the street to the remaining businesses. Many had already closed, but over the course of the day I managed to visit almost all of them and none of them were hiring.
Back at the castle, Alexander sat on the front porch. He wasn’t doing anything. Just sitting. “Penny for your thoughts?” I asked.
He smiled and stretched, casual in his polo and jeans again. “Thinking about the long day I’m going to have tomorrow. What have you been up to?”
“I was looking for a job,” I replied, going for honesty.
“A job? What in the world for?”
I cocked an eyebrow at him. “Seriously? I can’t mooch off of you for the rest of my life.”
“Of course you can.” He nodded his head, as if that settled it.
“I know you’re used to getting your way,Your Highness, but you won’t about this. I can’t live here forever.” I sat beside him on the stone stair. “But I also don’t want to do something pointless. I want to help people like me.”
“We can make that happen, you know.”
“How?”
“We’re working on your family tree. Riley has helped a little. I think it’s time for a conversation with your mom.”
I put my face in my hands. A talk with my mom would be a nightmare. “When?”
“Tomorrow, if possible. No sense in putting it off.”
Dragging myself up off the stairs, I said goodnight and trudged up to my room. I’d been dejected because of the job situation, but that beat the dread I felt at facing my mother. It wasn’t going to be pretty. Maybe I could convince Riley to go with us. That might help. My mom had loved Riley when we were kids.
I called Riley as early as I dared the next morning. It was around six in the morning In North Carolina where her new house was.
“Hey Riley.”
“Jen! What’s up? Why are you calling so early? Are you okay?”
“Sort of. I’m hiding in my room. They think I’m still asleep.” I looked around, scared one of them would pop their heads in like they’d been inclined to do all along. Privacy wasn’t abundant in the Dannan culture.
“Why are you hiding from Alexander? Has he hurt you? You know I’ll kill him myself if he does.”
“Slow down there, Missy Murder. He’s making me go see my mom.”
“Oh.” I heard some muffled talking over the phone. “Okay, I’ll talk to you later!” she exclaimed brightly.
“Oh, no you don’t,” I said with warning in my voice. “You’ve got to go with me.”
“When?”
“Today, now. Soon.”
“Hang on.” I heard more muffled talking. “I’ve got the twins today. My guys are going on a supply run, and Tammy can’t deal with all the kids alone.”
“Bring them. I’m sure Mom would love to meet her great niece and nephew.”
