Chapter 2
He stared at the pathetic bowl of soup, then swallowed his disgust and took it anyway.
I handed it over reluctantly—it was supposed to be my dinner.
"Lily, don't worry about him. Someone's taking care of it. Go to sleep," Mom said, picking up my sister, who'd snuck out again. "You're still in your pajamas—you'll get sick."
She glanced at me with that familiar look of annoyance and blame.
"Sophie, just look after him and don't cause us any trouble."
I nodded. After Julian finished the soup, I half-carried him to the woodshed.
"This is where I'm sleeping?"
"Yeah, you can have my bed," I said, pointing to the iron cot in the corner.
After helping him over, I climbed onto my bed and stuffed newspaper into the drafty window cracks like always.
Then I laid cardboard on the floor, tossed an old blanket on top, and curled up as best I could.
"You actually sleep here?"
He looked genuinely shocked, his cold facade cracking.
"This is your bed? Wasn't that your sister earlier? Are you really part of this family?"
I stayed silent under the dim light.
Julian rubbed his forehead and gave the so-called bed an obvious look of disgust.
Still, he flopped down reluctantly.
"You better stick to the woodshed from now on.
"If you make Lily mad, you'll get tossed out."
I curled up tighter, wrapping my arms around myself against the cold.
Honestly, I kind of regretted it now.
I'd saved him hoping for a dad who'd actually care about me, but he didn't even remember me.
Who could blame him? Next to sweet, perfect Lily, I was just the scruffy, scrawny one.
Of course, he didn't like me.
Whatever. I'd count it as doing a good deed.
Didn't pick up a good dad this time—maybe next time, fate would send me a mom instead.
I drifted off.
I woke just after five, like clockwork.
"Up so early?" Julian asked, giving me a puzzled look.
Dark circles ringed his eyes like he hadn't slept all night.
"Chop wood, shovel snow, feed the dog—there's a lot to do.
"I also need breakfast ready before Mom and Dad wake up. Don't worry. I'll make sure you get food first."
"Couldn't sleep?" I asked after tidying up the bed.
Julian looked like he was still processing what I'd said.
His face tightened, his voice stiff. "Only you could sleep in a place this cold."
"I'm used to it."
I picked up the blanket from the floor and put it on the bed. "If you get cold, use this. I'll call you when breakfast is ready."
Without waiting for his reaction, I headed out the door.
Dawn broke. I had to gather today's firewood.
Otherwise, Grandma's stick would come cracking down on my back like a whip.
I trudged through thick snow; every step was a struggle.
My flashlight beam swept over the deep snow, catching a shadow behind a tree.
I stayed calm and quickly covered the beam with my hand.
All kinds of creatures roamed these back hills—if I was unlucky, I might run into a wild boar.
But I was used to it. Didn't scare me.
Just as I was about to slip away, a faint voice called out.
"Hello? Is anyone there? Am I going to freeze to death out here?"
A woman.
Was this my lucky day? Did fate just drop a mom in my lap?
Our eyes met.
She had gorgeous wavy hair and big eyes that locked onto mine, blinking.
"Where'd this kid come from? Am I hallucinating?"
"Nope. Want to come back with me?" I asked, trying to sound brave.
She nodded quickly, so I waved her over to follow me.
On the way back, I learned her name was Hazel Evans. She'd been visiting the mountains for fun.
She got separated from her friends, and the snow shut everything down.
Her car was stuck, so she couldn't get down the mountain for help. That was how she ended up running into me.
At the door, I stopped.
"I can let you stay, but only if you agree to be my mom and take me away with you."
Hazel was stunned.
She took in my ragged coat and the basket overflowing with firewood. Her face went unreadable.
"Do you live here alone?"
She noticed the car by the door, doubt flickering across her face.
My eyes stung, my throat tight.
"No. My mom, dad, grandma, and sister... they're all here."
Hazel sighed, "Sweetheart, since you already have a mom, I can't be your mom too. Your real mom would be sad."
I clenched my shirt and shook my head. "Never mind. Just come inside.
"Be careful, though. If they see you, they'll throw you out."
With that, I led her straight to the woodshed.
The moment we opened the door, Julian's eyes landed on us, and he froze.
Hazel rolled her eyes.
Julian's mouth twitched. "What a coincidence."
They obviously knew each other, but I was too busy to ask. I just started stacking firewood.
"I'm making breakfast. Keep it down, okay?"
I hurried out to the front yard, moving as quietly as I could.
But Grandma was already up, her face dark with anger.
"Why are you making so much noise this early? Lily hardly ever gets to come home, and you're just jealous, aren't you? Making all this racket so she can't sleep."
She lowered her voice, eyes sharp.
When she saw I hadn't finished making breakfast yet, she yanked my hair.
"Getting lazy now, huh? When did you even get up?"