Duchess by Ellen Miles Page B

know her name.”
    “Duchess,” Mom said. “Or should I say ‘
the
duchess’? That’s what Logan’s mom called her.” She pulled off her gloves, shook out the dirt, and tucked them into the pocket of her gardening apron. “Will you get the watering can for me?” she asked as she headed inside.
    Mia grabbed the can. Mom didn’t sound mad, but she didn’t exactly sound happy, either. “Why did Mrs. Barrow call you?” Mia yelled as she hurried down the entry hall after Mom. “Logan wassupposed to call me.” Mia kicked off her shoes and followed Mom into the kitchen. “I was waiting to get more information before I told you—I mean, asked you—about fostering her,” Mia explained. She felt frustrated. Why couldn’t Logan have called her first, the way he’d said he would? Now everything was all messed up.
    “It’s true,” Michael said to Mom. “I told her to wait until we knew more.” Michael grabbed an apple and brushed by Mia on his way out of the long, narrow kitchen. “I think fostering an adult cat sounds like fun,” he called over his shoulder.
    Mia wished he hadn’t left them alone. She could use her brother’s help right now.
    Mom sighed and tucked her hair behind her ears. “I’m not upset with you,” she said. “It was just a big surprise. Logan’s mom said her neighbor really needs someone to take the cat before she moves.” She frowned. “I called Dad at work to talk about it already, but I hate to rush things. Fostering a cat is a big decision.”
    Mia nodded. “I know,” she said. “That’s why I wanted to make sure Logan was being serious.”
    “I think he was,” Mom said with a laugh. She reached out and squeezed Mia’s hand. “It’s okay, Mia. Logan’s mom is going to tell Duchess’s owner, Abby, to email us,” Mom told her. “Until we hear from her, how about if you start your homework?”
    Mia realized that there was no point in begging Mom to foster Duchess until they knew more about her. She didn’t really have any homework that day—she’d finished her math problems during class—but she had an idea about something else she could study. She grabbed the family laptop and joined Michael at the dining room table.
    “What are you doing?” Michael asked as she opened the computer.
    “I’m going to read about Persian cats,” she said. “I want to be prepared.” Mom and Dad expected Mia and Michael to help as much as possible with their foster cats. Mia loved petting them andplaying with them and making sure they had enough to eat and drink. She was even happy to help clean out the litter box! She wanted to prove that she and Michael were ready for a cat of their own.
    There was plenty of information online about Persian cats. It didn’t take Mia long to learn that they were the most popular breed in the United States. She read that Persians were the perfect “lap cat,” since they were loyal pets who enjoyed attention. She also read that because of their long coats, Persians needed more brushing than most cats. That wasn’t a big deal. Mia would take turns with Michael, and if he didn’t want to brush Duchess, she’d do it all by herself.
    “Have you seen the laptop?” Mom walked into the room. “Oh, you have it,” she said to Mia. “Are you done with your homework?”
    Mia nodded. “I was reading about Persian cats,” she said. She smiled up at Mom. “Just in case.”
    “That’s a good idea,” Mom said. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Mia scooted the laptop so it was in front of Mom’s usual chair. Maybe Duchess’s owner had already sent Mom an email! Mom sat down and began to type.
    Mia pulled a library book out of her bag, but she couldn’t concentrate on the story. She kept thinking about Duchess. She glanced at Mom. Had she checked her email yet?
    “Well, here it is,” Mom said.
    “What? The message from Duchess’s owner?” Mia hopped up and went over to Mom. She leaned over her shoulder until her face was