Page 10 (1/2)

The main house sat back from the street, three stories tall with a terracotta roof Majestic statues of horses were scattered throughout the estate and Mina could see gardeners trirass Behind the estate were training yards and stables for the Carmichael’s horses Their prized racehorses were probably at another facility

This was the first time Mina felt acutely aware of her family’s small income in comparison to others She didn’t really care about ue"

She was eot to the steps of the main house and couldn’t decide where to leave her bike With the kickstand broken, Mina tried to lean it against a pillar and got a heated look froainst a bush and received a horrified stare fro up, Mina let it lay in the driveway, its back wheel spinning pathetically

She took the front steps two a tiany double doors with a silver , Mina decided she would count to ten Mississippis and if no one answered she would do leave the packet and go hoot to seven when Mrs Carnized the soft eyes and elegant snature pearls and perfect coif, froazines

"Yes?" she asked sweetly

"Hi, I’m Mina I’m supposed to deliver this Happy Maids’ packet on behalf ofto get this delivery over with Mrs Car because she didn’t take the packet

"I’m sorry, what?" Her brow furrowed in confusion

"My mother’s boss, Terry Goodmother of Happy Maids, said you requested an infor for them" Mrs Car that this was a hugeresidence" She turned in eain?" Mrs Carmichael called out Her eyes softened with compassion Or it could have been pity

Mina had made it to the bottom steps and turned to look back up at Mrs Carmichael "I’m Mina Grime"

"Mina You’re the one who saved Brody!" Her confusion disappeared and her face lit with happiness "We have much to thank you for …oh, Brody, watch out!" she practically shouted

Just when Mina started to wonder about Mrs Car crunch of metal on metal and turned to see her bike crushed to smithereens beneath the wheels of a black car "My bike!" Mina groaned

"Brody!" Mrs Carmichael yelled simultaneously

Mina froze, she didn’t knoas worse, facing her long time crush with a brown chocolate milk stain on her jacket or the fact that he had just run over her pathetic bike with his expensive sports car

The driver’s door opened and Brody jumped out of the car "Mina, I’m sorry! Are you okay?"

Brody started to run up to theh

Mortified that Brody ran over her bike and with no good explanation as to why she was at his house, Mina could only think of one thing to do Run