The Torn Slipper by Kimberlee R. Mendoza

Author:Kimberlee R. Mendoza [Mendoza, Kimberlee R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cinderella; Christmas; Fairy Tale; Young Adult; Sweet Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2022-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

On Sundays, the staff took the day off, so I slept until noon. When I finally woke, my muscles ached and my head pounded. I would have slept for another few hours, but the burning in my stomach said I required food more than sleep. I wandered into the kitchen, barefoot and dressed in the clothes I had borrowed from Eunice. Silence encased the house, and I wondered if anyone remained. That would be fine by me—a day alone.

I rummaged through the refrigerator and cabinets in search of anything edible. Back when I influenced the shopping of this household, the cupboards exploded with sugary cereals, chocolate-frosted donuts, toaster pastries, and peach instant oatmeal. Now, it seemed, Meredith’s “bunny food” had taken over. Whole grain cereal, fiber bars, bran muffins, and flax oatmeal—how could anyone live like that? I’d be on the toilet night and day. I smiled at the thought, then frowned again. None of the choices sounded good, and the sad reality was I had no idea how to cook. I reached into the fridge and grabbed a piece of soy cheese. Grimacing, I bit into it, just as the door behind me banged closed. I spun around, the slice of bogus cheddar still hanging between my teeth.

Henry smiled. “Did I catch a mouse stealing some cheese?”

I swallowed and palmed the rest. “If you can call it that. Honestly, I’m starving and have no idea what to eat. It’s all nutritious and disgusting—I don’t even think you can truly call it food. More like cardboard in fancy packaging.”

Henry laughed.

I liked his laugh, friendly and deep, but not guttural; it always put me at ease.

“Rosa usually leaves some casseroles in the back of the fridge for the staff to eat.”

The smell of aftershave lingered behind him as he crossed by me.

He opened the fridge door, squatted, pushed a few jars out of the way, then produced a rectangular glass dish covered in foil. “Here we go.” He set it on the counter and winked. “This is the good stuff.” He lifted the foil.

I peered at what looked like creamy, light-green mush under melted cheese. My nostrils flared in slight disgust. “What is it?”

He laughed. “It might not look great, but I promise, it tastes wonderful.”

“But what is it?”

“She calls it her Mexican casserole surprise.” He smiled. “It’s not all that much of a surprise. I watched her make it once before. It has corn tortillas, shredded chicken, Ortega chilis, and like three cheeses… cream cheese, cheddar cheese, cotija cheese, and sour cream. I promise, it’s divine.”

“That’s a lot of cheese.”

“Well, I did just catch you eating cheese, so I’m going to guess you’re not a vegan, like the lady of the house.”

“Actually, that was soy cheese.” I swiped at the air. “I just meant I try not to eat something so fattening.”

“Really?” He raised an eyebrow. “Last time we hung out, you ate a cherry Danish, and if I recall, you went back for some pumpkin bread and a sugar cookie.

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