Read Online Morning Star by Judith Plaxton - Free Book Online

have a vampire uncle or something?” asked Matt.
    â€œThat is highly unlikely, Matthew.”
    â€œI dunno, my Uncle Bert has these weird teeth…”
    There was a ripple of laughter. “Anyone else?” asked Miss Peabody.
    Ashley’s hand shot up. “My family, they were United Empire Loyalists!”
    â€œReally? I’m sure we’ll all be interested to hear about them.”
    Ashley continued, “I think there might have been some relative a long time ago that was from the royal family.”
    â€œWe’ll look forward to hearing your story.”
    Felicia sensed that Miss Peabody didn’t believe Ashley. She watched as Ashley lowered her hand.
    On the way home from school, the bus began to make grinding sounds. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and turned to the remaining riders.
    â€œI don’t like the sound of that—better not go any farther. I’ve got my cell phone if you want to call your parents to come and pick you up.”
    Some students went forward to call home, but the four girls decided to walk the rest of the way.
    Felicia turned up her jacket collar to protect her neck and jammed her hands into her pockets. “Wow! It’s cold!”
    â€œWe sometimes get these real cold spells even though it’s not winter yet,” said Renate.
    â€œNot like the big city, eh?” added Sophie.
    They began jogging to keep warm. Sophie’s house was the closest. She invited her friends to come in, but they decided to keep going. Renate’s house was next. After Dodie and Felicia said good-bye to her, they put their heads down and walked quickly. The wind blew icy sleet against their faces.
    â€œMaybe we should have stopped at Renate’s and phoned home.”
    â€œJust a few more minutes.”
    Another gust of wind stopped them in their tracks, almost blowing their breath away.
    â€œI’m freezing!”
    â€œLet’s go stand over there for a minute, beside those trees and out of the wind.”
    The two girls ran to the grove of trees. The large evergreens swayed and creaked, but they provided some protection from the early blast of winter.
    â€œWe’ll stay here for a couple of minutes.” Dodie jumped up and down on the spot. “This helps to keep the circulation going. Wiggle your toes. That helps.”
    â€œLook! We can see our breath!” They puffed and laughed at the clouds of moisture coming out of their mouths. “Your cheeks are all red,” said Felicia.
    â€œSo’s your nose!”
    They stood shivering together, preparing to go out again into the storm.
    â€œDid you hear that?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œListen!”
    It was barely audible, the softest cry.
    â€œYeah! Where’s it coming from?” They looked around them, and then Felicia pointed to a large tree. There was an opening at the base, and something was huddled inside it. They knelt down to get a better view. Felicia hesitated, but then reached in and extracted a tiny sodden bundle.
    â€œOh my gosh! It’s a baby kitten!”
    â€œHiding in there, trying to keep warm.”
    â€œThe poor thing!”
    â€œI wonder where its mother is.”
    â€œI don’t think it has a mother right now.”
    â€œWhat’ll we do? Can you take it home, Dodie?”
    â€œNo, I can’t. My brother has asthma—and a jillion allergies. Better put it back.”
    Felicia started to return the animal to its hiding place. It felt like a bundle of twigs in her hands. “I can feel its ribs.”
    â€œIt’s probably starving.”
    â€œMaybe we can take it to the Humane Society.”
    â€œYou’ll have to take it home first. Can you do that?”
    â€œMy mom will freak.”
    â€œDoes she hate cats?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œTake it home then, and give it something to eat. A vet should see it. You can call the animal protection people tomorrow.”
    Felicia hesitated,