Bethany watched as the underbrush of the forest grew thin and the branches of trees decided to let a little more light on the track. It was nearly seven o'clock in the morning and all of the Goode children, save herself, were happily drowsing on top of each other, taking over far more then the nine seats they had paid for. It was their first time on a train and, if the hour had been more respectable, they would all be bright eyed and bushy tailed. However, as it was nowhere near a respectable hour, at least not for them, the traveling Goodes slept soundly to the steady hum of the wheels rolling over the tracks.
    Bethany, being the oldest, felt it her duty to stay awake in case one of her younger brothers or sisters needed anything. Not that they would have any qualms about waking her if they did, but she still felt responsible.
    She leaned her head against the cold glass of the window and absentmindedly twisted a strand of brown hair around her stubby finger. Bethany had never been one for traveling and after living every waking hour surrounded by lush green forest and a steady sea breeze, Eastern Washington seemed a little bare. And hot. Very hot. Of course if she had been from California or Arizona then it would not seem so bad at all, but Bethany Goode was born and raised in Western Washington, the land of many hoodies and few umbrellas. Hot weather was not something she was use to.
    As she stared at the open countryside, Bethany recalled what her parents had told her.
    "Just because it isn't wet, it doesn't mean it's purgatory."
    Oh how she wished she could have stayed home on their farm, tending to her chickens and goats, rather than staying with her Aunt for the summer.

    Bethany had only ever met Aunt Laura once before when she was seven. Her and her mother had come over to visit some friends and Ms. Laura had let them stay in her mansion. Now, eight years later, she was going back to the great house of her ancestors, this time with eight of her siblings and a summer job all in tow.
    Miss Laura Belle Goode was the older sister of Bethany's father, Timothy John Goode, and since the mansion was in their mother's name it went to Laura. So, many many years later, Laura was still living in that great big house as an old maid while her younger brother got married and lived on a farm with his ten children. The farm however was not to make money, it was far too small for that, but was something both Tim and his wife, Roberta, had always wanted. Of course something had to pay the bills, so shortly after they got married the two opened a dirt-biking business where they restored dirt bikes. With Tim's marketing skills and Roberta's budgeting skills, the business flourished. Fifteen years passed and not only did they have the best restoration company in the state, but also ten willing pairs of hands to help them, except for little James who was far too young to do anything.
    The family kept in contact with Laura but never head enough time to come down and visit. Finally, Laura decided it was time she met all of her nieces and nephews, so she payed for nine train tickets. They had the whole summer laid out before them like a blank canvas, ready to be painted. The younger kids were excited to be living in a mansion, but Bethany and the twins, Frances and Frederick, felt the oncoming surge of awkward nights at the dinner table, trying to get acquainted with their silent relative.
    Bethany knew that Aunt Laura did not exactly approve of all the choices her brother had made and every time she came into topic back at the farm Bethany could feel a slight tension.
    "Blakewood Station!" the conductor called out and the train came to a jerky stop.
    Bethany's eyes fluttered open before she realized she had fallen asleep. Stretching out her arms and yawning Bethany stood up, her siblings following suit like they always did. None of the Goode kids looked much alike, especially Bethany, but one could always tell they were siblings.
    "What do we do now?" Fran asked as the steam cleared away.
    Bethany picked up little Sabrina and looked around the station for Aunt Laura, but she was nowhere to be seen.
    "We wait I guess. Not much point in trying to hike there."
    Victoria giggled at her older sister and looked around at all the shiny cars, her big blue eyes lighting up as a large catering van pulled into the parking lot. Written in swirling pink letters on the side were the words, 'Miss Laura Goode's Catering'.
    "Look Annie!" Victoria said, tugging on Bethany's plaid sleeve.
    "Yeah, I see it."
    Frances and Frederick exchanged nervous glances while the younger kids rushed to get the luggage.
    "Why do you think she brought the catering truck?" Frances asked in a lower voice.
    "She probably doesn't have enough seats in her regular car," Bethany answered, shifting Sabrina to her left side.
    As she spoke, a tall slender lady stepped out of the passenger side, her jet black hair pulled into a large bun on the back of her head. A superficial smile was plastered on her thin face but Bethany could tell she was genuinely trying.
    "Gee, she looks just like Dad!" Freddie exclaimed.
    It was true. The same pronounced nose, the same sharp chin, the same straight black hair, and the same stunning blue eyes. The only difference was Tim's smile was genuinely happy.
    The tall woman walked towards them and Bethany tried her best to look pleased.
    "This can't be little Bethany, can it?" Aunt Laura said, giving Bethany a half-hearted hug.
    She smelled like vanilla.
    "And who is this?" Laura asked, looking at the toddler.
    Bethany tried not to feel annoyed, but she could not help it.
    "That's Sabrina," Fran answered, seeing her sister's hesitation.
    Unfortunately, Laura noticed too and straightened up.
    "I lose track of you all I'm afraid. There are just too many to remember!" she laughed.
    "Well you wouldn't be the only one. Mom and Dad never really remember either," Fran said with a friendly smile.
    There was an awkward silence for what seemed an eternity before Aunt Laura clapped her hands together and told them to take their luggage to the van.
    "I'm sorry it isn't the most comfortable vehicle ever, but I could fit you all in my car," she said, opening the back door.
    There were racks of dishes lining the walls and on one side there was a white chest, probably a cooler of some sort.
    "Shouldn't we have seat belts?" Bethany asked, looking down at her younger siblings.
    "Oh don't worry. The house isn't far and Liam is an excellent driver."
    "Liam?" Bethany muttered, staring at the few seats in the back.
    "Excuse me," a voice came from behind and she quickly moved to the side.
    A boy maybe a few years older than her passed, putting a couple of suitcases under the racks of champagne glasses. He looked oddly familiar, but Bethany was sure Aunt Laura did not have any kids.
    "Thank you," Bethany said automatically.
    The boy smiled at her without showing his teeth, tipping his flat cap. Again, he seemed awfully familiar.
    "Bethany, this is Liam. You probably don't remember each other, but you two made quite a bit of chaos last time Roberta and you came over," Aunt Laura told Bethany.
    Then it suddenly all came back. The old well, the tree house, the overdoses of sugar, everything.
    "Good grief," she said in surprise. "You're Finnigan? Kallin's little brother?"
    Liam smiled again in the same quiet manner and nodded, his rusty brown eyes twinkling.
    "Well I'm assuming you got out of the well," Bethany laughed, remembering the little incident.
    Before anyone could reply a sharp cry sprang into the air and Bethany rushed over to Sabrina who had fallen on the pavement. She picked up the crying toddler and was relieved to find no cuts or scrapes of any kind.
    "Shhh, you're okay," she whispered, rocking the little girl back and forth.
    However, Sabrina was not convinced and she continued to bawl, her chubby face growing as red as a tomato.
    "Oh come on now, please stop crying? You're attracting attention," Bethany whispered, looking around nervously.
    "What happened?" Fran asked, running up to them.
    "Oh nothing. She just fell on the pavement. I think she's tired."
    They walked over to the van and Bethany tried to put her in one of the seats but every time she let go Sabrina screamed even louder.
    "Really?" Bethany said, thoroughly irritated. "You had to start now?"
    Sabrina did not answer but continued to cry, hot tears running down her cheeks.
    "Here Fran, you take her."
    Fran hoisted up the baby and began shushing her while Bethany herded the other kids into the van.
    "What's the matter?" Aunt Laura asked.
    "Sabrina's tired is all. None of us got much-" suddenly she stopped talking and realized Sabrina was quiet.
    Bethany and Aunt Laura both turned around to see Sabrina, face still red and tears still rimming her big grey eyes, staring curiously at Liam.
    "How did you-" Bethany began, but Fran cut her off.
    "I didn't. She just stopped."
    Realization dawned on Bethany and she smiled, turning to the black-haired Liam.
    "She likes you."
    Liam just smiled again and tipped his hat once more, getting into the drivers seat and starting up the van. Bethany and Fran got in with the other kids and Aunt Laura closed the door, getting into the passenger side.
    The vehicle started down the winding roads of Blakewood and Bethany could not help but feel like she was in a movie, on some big adventure.
    "Do you know him?" Fran asked, nudging Bethany with her elbow.
    "Who? Oh you mean Liam. Yeah, a little. His family has apparently worked for the Goodes for generations. The Finnigans, that's their name, are the grounds keepers. I met Liam and a few of his older siblings when I was here with Mom. To be honest I remember more about his older brother, Kallin."
    "I thought I hear you mention a well. Is he the one you pushed in?"
    "No! I didn't push anyone in!..He fell in while trying to escape my wrath in freeze tag," Bethany explained.
    Fran just shook her head and laughed, turning to look out the small window.
    They were driving through the small town of Blakewood, its old fashioned shops and houses making it seem very inviting. The road was cracked in many places but Bethany and Fran agreed that it added character.
    Five minutes later they found themselves heading up a winding road, surrounded by Ponderosa pines...and dirt. Once again Bethany felt a deep longing for the thick, green underbrush of Western Washington, and lush, even greener, grass that covered everyone's lawn.
    The van puttered along until they came to a tall iron gate and stone wall, reaching over eight feet high. Aunt Laura pressed a button on the car keys and the gate swung open, revealing a long driveway that led up to the five story mansion, circling back again around a tall fountain.
    The Goode children each pushed for a window when they heard Bethany and Fran gasp, but it was not long before the van came to stop and they all rushed out to get a better view of the house they would be living in.
    It was even better than they had imagined, towering high above them. Made completely out of stone it had a medieval feel to it. Each story was lined with windows and a large balcony jutted out on the third floor, a set of beautiful french doors leading out onto it. There were rose bushes evenly spaced, surrounding the porch that stretched all the way around the mansion and two towers that Aunt Laura called the 'West Wing' and the 'East Wing'. Freddie said something about renaming them 'Orthanc' and 'Barad-dur'.
   "Liam, get their bags," Aunt Laura said, fumbling in her bag.
   Liam obeyed without question and began to skillfully stack the suitcases on top of each other, his head completely disappearing.
   "Oh we can help with that," Bethany said, grabbing one of the left over bags. "Freddie, help him with those ones and Fran?"
   "Yeah?"
   "Make sure Sabrina doesn't stick anything in her mouth."
   "Right...Uh...Bethany?"
   "Yeah?" Bethany said, rolling up her sleeves.
   "Where is Sabrina?"

- Well here is the first chapter of my new book! I know I haven't been writing in a really long time and I have been taking kind of a hiatus since I finished 'The Lost Royals'. But now I'm back on my feet and rearing to go!
So what did you think of the chapter? Do you love it? Do you hate it? As usual, comments and votes are greatly appreciated. Thanks for stopping by :D - Anna