Once Upon a Toad by Heather Vogel Frederick Read Free Book Online Page B

for a piece of shortbread, young man?” asked my great-aunt, offering him one from her plate.
    Geoffrey shook his head. My little brother is probably the only kid in the entire world who doesn’t like sweets. Iz unwrapped a cheese stick and handed it to him instead, and he swapped it for his finger.
    â€œI hope you can stay and visit for a few days,” my stepmother said politely.
    Great-Aunt Aby shook her head, sending shortbread crumbs flying. “No can do, I’m afraid, Ms. Iz. I just got a hankering to pop in and say howdy to Catriona here.” She gave me another big wink. “I’m a road warrior—footloose and fancy-free. Usrolling stones gotta keep moving on, so I’ll be hitting the road bright and early tomorrow. California is calling, and I’d like to visit the redwoods again. They’re particularly beautiful in the spring.”
    â€œWell, I’m glad you’re staying long enough to see Tim, at least,” Iz replied. “I know he’d be sorry to miss you. He should be home this evening.” She glanced out the window, then turned to me. “It’s stopped raining, Cat. Why don’t you take your great-aunt for a walk?”
    â€œSplendid idea!” boomed Great-Aunt Abyssinia.
    I thought so too. I was dying to find out what my mother had told her, and why the heck she’d even called her in the first place, but it wasn’t something I could ask in front of Iz and Olivia.
    Great-Aunt Abyssinia turned to my stepsister. “Olivia, would you care to join us?”
    My heart sank. So much for alone time with Great-Aunt Aby.
    â€œI’d love to, Mrs… . uh, I mean—” Olivia hesitated.
    â€œJust call me Aby.”
    â€œI’d love to, Mrs. Aby, but I have to finish my math homework.”
    I gaped at her, astonished. Since when did Olivia give two hoots about math?
    â€œAh,” said Great-Aunt Aby. “Well then, Catriona, it looks like it’s just you and me.” Setting down her teacup, she stretched her large legs out in front of her and gave Geoffrey a nudge. He launched himself down them like she was a slide at the playground, landing on the floor with a thump and a giggle.
    â€œAnd you, young man, could use a nap,” said Iz.
    My great-aunt and I put our raincoats on just in case—Oregon is as famous for its short-lived sun breaks as it is for its rain—and headed out the front door.
    â€œThere’s nothing quite like the smell of rain-washed earth, is there?” Great-Aunt Aby asked, inhaling with deep satisfaction.
    It wasn’t a question that really needed an answer, but I nodded anyway. As we made our way past the Dixons’ house, I spotted Connor and his older brother, Aidan, playing basketball in the driveway. The two of them stopped and stared at us as we passed by, and I could feel my face turn bright red. It was hard not to feel embarrassed walking down the street with someone like Great-Aunt Abyssinia. She was impossible to miss, what with the orange poncho and matching hair. Plus, she was so, well, big. Not fat, really, just tall and solid. It was kind of like having an elephant on a leash or something.
    â€œAfternoon, boys!” she boomed, waving at them. They waved feebly back.
    We walked just past the entrance to our dead-end street, then turned onto the muddy path that led into Forest Park.
    â€œGood thing I wore my hiking boots,” said my great-aunt.
    I had to smile at that. My great-aunt always wears hiking boots. Last time I was in her RV, I’d counted seventeen pairs of them.
    â€œEighteen,” she said absently, poking at one of the shrubs we passed. “Ah, eighteen rhododendron buds, I mean. They’ll be blooming before you know it. Dogwood, too.”
    We continued on, with her taking note of all the trees and plants we passed. It was almost like going for a hike with my father. I’dhad no idea that my great-aunt knew so much about