Ghost Town Read Online Free

“Unfair.”
    â€œI believe it was your turn to do the dishes anyway.” Mrs. Summers flashed her stern lawyer look at Patrice, who clamped her mouth shut and moved some spinach around her plate with her fork. Nobody talked back to Mrs. Summers.
    After the dishes were cleared, Katani and her parents moved to the living room.
    â€œYour father and I appreciate that you have respect for money and that you work hard and save so carefully,” Mrs. Summers began.
    â€œIt’s very admirable that you have such lofty goals,” Mr. Summers added. “Especially for someone your age.”
    â€œBut this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Mrs. Summers continued. “You’ve worked very hard in school thisyear. Don’t you think you deserve a nice vacation?”
    Katani hadn’t been thinking about it that way.
    â€œI don’t want to intrude, but I thought I could offer some help.” Mrs. Fields poked her head into the living room.
    â€œOf course, Mom, come on in.” Mrs. Summers motioned Mrs. Fields into the room.
    Mrs. Fields dug fifty dollars out of her purse and handed it to her granddaughter.
    â€œGrandma Ruby, no . . . no, thank you. I don’t want to take any money from you or Mom and Dad,” Katani said, gently pushing her grandmother’s hand back.
    â€œKatani, I am your grandmother. I want to give this money to you. It’s an investment,” Mrs. Fields said firmly.
    â€œWhat?” Katani looked puzzled.
    â€œAn investment in your future. I’m banking on my money having great returns,” Mrs. Fields said with a smile.
    â€œI don’t understand.”
    â€œTravel is broadening. It’s inspiring. It’s as necessary for a young up-and-coming designer as money in a savings account,” Mrs. Fields told her.
    Katani blushed. It felt good to know that her grandmother believed in her.
    â€œYou are going to come back from this experience rejuvenated. They call Montana Big Sky Country, you know. You’ll get inspiration from that big sky and the beautiful rolling hills. And the people! The people you’ll meet there will be different from folks in Boston.”
    â€œReally? What will they be like?” Katani asked.
    â€œI’ll be waiting for you to tell me all about them.” Mrs. Fields smiled.
    Katani couldn’t help but smile right back.
    â€œAll work and no play makes Katani a dull designer, to put my own twist on an old phrase. Your designs should reflect a life full of wonder and adventure. This is an amazing opportunity for you, Katani.
Carpe diem
—seize the day!”
    â€œBesides,” Mr. Summers added. “You’re twelve! You’re supposed to have fun when you’re twelve! There’s plenty of time later for you to worry about finances.”
    â€œLike when you have your own daughters in college,” Mrs. Summers added with a laugh.
    Kelley came into the room, holding out Mr. Bear to her sister again. “Hey, Katani, Mr. Bear wants to visit the dude ranch with you.”
    Katani wasn’t sure how Kelley sometimes knew just the right thing to say. She often thought Kelley understood what was going on better than most people.
    â€œSo, what do you say? Are you going to Montana?” Mrs. Fields asked.
    â€œYup!” Katani announced. “I’m going to Montana!”
    â€œYay!” Kelley cheered. “When are you going?”
    â€œDuring school vacation.” Katani’s eyes widened. “Whoa! That’s less than two weeks away!”
    â€œBut Katani . . . my horse show is in two weeks!” Kelley cried out. “Katani, you can’t go in two weeks. You can’t miss the horse show! Wilbur will be so sad.” Wilbur was the horse Kelley rode in the therapeutic riding program at the High Hopes Riding Stable.
    Katani hadn’t realized until that moment that the two events would overlap. She suddenly felt panicked all overagain.