Cursed: Grooms' Fairy Tales

By Megan Grooms

When Kat is told she is going to work the summer before college on the farm of her fathers' boss, Mr. Kime, she is not happy. Soon, Kat learns that Mr. Kimes' son lives there, and that they are hiding a secret involving him. She can't stop herself from trying to uncover the mystery, and learn more about the man.

Victor hates that his father has forced another woman into his company, he had told him to stop hiring help for the summer. It is made clear immediately, that Kat is not like the help of previous years, and he finds himself unable to ignore her. Slowly he starts to get to know her, and enjoy the time he spends with her. Before the summer comes to an end Victor must decide if he can trust her with his secret. Together, they may be able to do what he cannot alone, break the curse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Megan Grooms
• Release date: Jul 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393971412

Book preview

Chapter 1

Kat woke up early the morning of her new life. She was excited, nervous, and disappointed all at the same time. A job would be good for the summer to help her save for spending money at college, but this was the last summer she was guaranteed to have with her friends from high school. She opened her closet to find an outfit hanging on the back of the door. Her mother had pinned a note to it. It doesn’t hurt to look professional. She shook her head smiling a little. Her mother just couldn’t help herself. She had to have snuck in last night while she slept to hang it up in the closet for her. It did look nice, but the job was for a farm hand, she didn’t think the black short sleeved jacket with a red silk like top and the short black skirt was appropriate. She put it on anyway. Her mother would feel hurt if she didn’t wear it and she could change as soon as she got there if needed. She brushed her long brown hair back into a ponytail before wrapping it around into a bun. She put on black flat shoes. She wasn’t one for heels, afraid she would break her ankle.

Both her parents were in the kitchen having coffee and breakfast. Kat sat down and put some on her plate, though she wasn’t very hungry. Oh, you look so good in that, Her mother said smiling before her face fell into a little frown. I’m sorry I can’t go with you today to drop you off, I have to go to class and take a test. I can’t believe they expect me to go in on a Saturday to take a test. If I had known I wouldn’t have signed up for this class, or we would have changed the day you go to tomorrow. She had told Kat that many times over the last week. Kat’s mother had recently gone back to school, previously she had been a stay at home mother. Kat knew that she was feeling very guilty about not being there for her, the first time in her life that her mother wouldn’t be there.

She smiled across the table to her mom. It’s fine I promise. Dad is just dropping me off. I’m glad that you are going to school. Kat truly was glad that her mother had chosen to go back to school. She had secretly been worried about what her mother would do after she moved away to college. All her life her mother’s job had been taking care of her and the household. It was nice that her mother was looking forward to doing something new. So, did you get any more information about the farm for me, Dad? The job was working at a farm for her father’s boss. Each summer for the last two years they had a high school senior work on the farm as a way to earn money for college. It also helped the father, or mother, get noticed by the boss. This year, the third year it has been offered, her father had signed her up.

The older man seemed to avoid her eyes as he answered. Not really, just the usual on a farm, take care of the animals and garden. The caretakers will do a lot of the work, so it shouldn’t be too hard. More of a, help where they need you, kind of job.

She eyed him cautiously feeling like there was something he wasn’t telling her. What are their names again, the caretakers?

Well, the woman is Pam, and the man is Ron. The family has taken care of the farm for a long time. My boss doesn’t go out there very often anymore. He glanced at his wife quickly, Kat looked between them still feeling like something was being left out.

Do you think you can come home for a bit around your birthday? Her mother asked, clearly trying to change the subject. Kat let her. She would find out soon enough when she got there. She knew her father wouldn’t send her somewhere that was sketchy just to be noticed at work.

Kat put the last bite in her mouth while she thought about that. I would like to, but I don’t know if it will be possible, I mean I’m only there for two and a half months, and my birthday is near the middle of that time. I’m not really sure it would be professional.  If I do a good job, I’ll get a recommendation for a new job near campus. I don’t think it’s worth it. She lifted her shoulders.

Her mother looked like she wanted to protest but held it back. Kat knew she was thinking it was her 18th birthday, surely, she would want to be around her friends, but she let Kat decide, her mother was good about letting her decide for herself on many things.

Kat helped clean the dishes before giving her mother a hug goodbye. Her father had brought her bags to the car already, having been packed the night before and left by the front door. Have a good time dear, don’t work too hard and if you want to come home, just call and we will come get you. Her mother promised hugging her again before she could follow her father out the door. She was starting to tear up and Kat was worried she was going to start full on sobbing soon.

I’ll be fine mom. I’ll text you when I get there, you will be in class by that time. Good luck on your test. I love you. Her mother stood on the porch and waved them off. Kat knew she wouldn’t go inside until the car was out of her sight. Is mom going to be alright? Kat asked looking over at her father. He was a handsome man, tall and lean with sandy blond hair. She got her hazel eyes from him, her dark hair from her mother.

He didn’t take his eyes off the road as he thought about her question. I’m sure she’ll be fine. This will be a trial run for her. You are still coming home two weeks before school starts right? He glanced at her then.

Yes, dad I promise. I’m planning on being home the first of August and Berkley starts the 16th. You guys need to drive me to school so don’t forget, alright? Her father laughed a little. Will mom be able to drop me off at college?

Her father nodded there is no way she would miss that. He looked at her again. Like your mother said, if you don’t like it there just call us. It’s not worth you being miserable the whole summer.

It seemed like a long four hours. They listened to a lot of different music and some of the podcasts that Kat had downloaded on her phone. I hope they have Wi-Fi there, She commented as she played another podcast. She had downloaded a lot so that she could listen to them without using data, but she was going to run out quickly.

Oh, I’m sure they do honey. Everyone has Wi-Fi now a-days. We’ll make sure you get the password.

He laughed a little. If we can’t get it, I’m going to have a very expensive bill for the next couple of months. She just gave him a look.

They got something to eat when they were about an hour away from the farm, because they didn’t want to arrive hungry. Her mother called half an hour later checking in before her class. She was happy to hear they were almost there and that they had a good trip so far. Kat made sure to wish her mother good luck on her exam. Her mother did the same for her new job.

The two drove through the small town of Holtville. Kat fell in love with it right away and couldn’t wait to look around. It’s not too far now. He glanced at the GPS. About twenty minutes from town, that’s not bad. It’s a cute town isn’t it? She agreed with him

Finally, they were pulling up to a large gate that connected to stone walls that went off to the left and right as far as she could see. Clearly he likes his privacy, Kat muttered a little nervous.

Well, it’s been here a long time. He may not have put this wall up, Her father countered. There was a little keypad on a post sticking out of the ground on the left. Her father put in a code and the gates swung open.

Kat smiled, Oohhh, you got the code and everything. Her father grew a little red and tried not to smile. I’m glad that this will help get you noticed at work. They have so many lawyers in the company, I’m sure it’s hard to make a name for yourself.

Her father glanced at her. Honestly it is. Most of the guys that come in are from well-known families and the ones that have been there a long time, usually get the well-known cases. I’m pretty much stuck doing all the stuff that others don’t want. While I like the work, it would be nice to start getting some more in-depth cases.

The car was going slowly around the curves in the long drive. Kat was looking out the window trying to see everything. There was a lot of land. Surprisingly, she found a lot of trees. On the way here it had mostly been open grass or dirt lands. She found when she looked closer that they were fruit trees, though she couldn’t tell what fruit they were. On the left, the trees fell away and left an open area with a few buildings, possibly a couple of barns. As they rounded a corner they came upon the main house. It was surprisingly large. The center seemed to be what would have been the main house in the original design. There was a two-story wing on the left and another on the right mirroring each other. There was a large porch in front of the middle main house, which was painted a cream color.

A woman stepped onto the porch as they approached. Kat looked her over. She was a little plump with a cotton dress with an apron on over it that was covered in cooking remints. She wiped her hands on the apron as they parked in front of the porch. The drive took a wide circle around a large tree in the center of the circle. There was a path that went to the right or you could continue around the circle and go back to the driveway to leave. I don’t know where they want me to park, but I won’t be here long, Her father muttered to himself turning off the car. Kat climbed out pulling her skirt down right away. She wasn’t used to short skirts and always felt like it was creeping up too high.

The woman walked down the steps to meet them. Hello, you must be Mr. Smith and Katrina, is that right? My name is Pam. She held out her hand to Kat’s father and he took it smiling. The woman’s face was lined with smile wrinkles and her black hair was starting to get a dusting of white, unless that was flour. Kat held back a laugh at that thought. She seemed to be a very kind woman.

Yes, I hope we didn’t keep you waiting, He said shaking her hand and following as she made her way back up the steps.

Kat went to the trunk, Dad, can you open this for me please? I’ll bring my things in.

Oh, right, of course. He pressed the unlock button and she hit the latch the trunk popping open.

When she looked up at the two after closing the trunk, she found Pam looking surprised. Should I leave this here? She asked suddenly worried that she shouldn’t have been so presumptuous. Maybe this was an interview. She was suddenly glad she wore what her mother put out for her.

Pam shook her head and smiled again, No, sweetheart, it’s fine. I’ll show Mr. Smith to my husband’s office, then take you up to your room, if you’d like. She turned and started walking into the house again. There were two large doors to enter the house, Pam only opened the one on the right.

Once in the main room, Kat was surprised by how large it was. If she had been right in this being the original main house, they had completely gutted it. There were steps on the left and right leading upstairs to a platform overlooking the entryway. It had a banister to stop you from falling off the edge. A door in the center of the wall on both sides lead to halls, at least she thought they both lead to halls, the door on the left was closed. On her left and right on the main floor were archways, leading to halls that had large arched windows. Kat could see what seemed to be the kitchen and a living room on the right, at the end of each hall. There were steps leading up to a platform in the back of the room that had double doors to the backyard. There was a large chandelier that lit up the whole room hanging from the high celling. Paintings hung on the wall of the staircases before a door on either side, it looked to be storage rooms under the stairs.

Just wait right here, I’ll show your father to the study and take you up to your room. Please don’t go up the stairs until I can show you around, Pam instructed before walking down the right hall.

Kat was amazed by the room and walked over to take a look at the paintings. On the left there were four. They seemed to be of the same meadow, but at different seasons. The first was spring, she could see the focus was on the budding flowers. The second was summer because the sun was bright lighting up the flowers and tall grass, the shadows in the trees making the sunlight more obvious. The third was fall. The focus was not on the field now, but on the changing trees in the background. Finally, winter because the field was covered in snow and the tree branches hung low with heavy snow.

You are the first girl we’ve had that has looked at those. Pam’s voice startled her as she turned around. Beautiful, aren’t they? They were painted by the son of our boss. That was, probably six years ago now.

Kat agreed, They are amazing. How old is he? Honestly, I don’t know much about art, but it seems like you would need to have a lot of technical skill to get them to focus on different things so well, and to capture the different seasons so clearly. Pam smiled at her and Kat felt the woman liked her already.

You are so different than the other girls we’ve had here. I’m glad we tried it again another year.

Kat laughed a little, I’m kind of surprised you were able to get any girls out here before me. Most of the people at dad’s firm have spoiled rich kids. Thinking she heard a laugh, Kat looked around behind her. The door to the left hall was open now, though it was so dark she couldn’t see anything down it.

They didn’t really do much work to tell you the truth. They took it as more of a vacation than a job. I think they only came to get closer to Victor, Pam sounded angry at this and turned toward the steps on the right. Follow me please.

Kat did as she was asked picking up her bags that she had left by the door. Who is Victor?

Pam stopped on the steps looking back at her. He is the bosses’ son, the one that painted those paintings. The older woman gave her a curious look. You know he lives here, don’t you? Kat just shook her head. Oh, that’s odd. Well anyway you won’t see much of him. Pam turned around and started up the steps again.

I get it, doesn’t want to hang out with the help huh? She asked following Pam up the steps. It seemed like something a richy-rich kid would do, shun the help and not want to associate with them.

Pam shook her head, Not at all, he’s a very lovely young man, he just likes his solitude. They had reached the landing and Kat looked toward the other balcony. The door was still open, and she thought she saw movement in the shadows.

They walked down the hall. That’s kind of creepy, to hang out in your room all day, not wanting to see anyone, She said then popped a hand over her mouth. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Pam turned to her quickly. I’m sorry that was rude of me.

Pam had been giving her a severe look, but softened a little, it’s alright dear. Why don’t you put your things in your room? My husband and your father should be done soon, you can say goodbye, then I’ll show you around. She opened the door in front of her. This will be your room; the bathroom is that door right there. She pointed to a door next to Kat’s own door. I’ll see you in a moment. She left and Kat walked into her new room.

It wasn’t giant, but it was a nice sized room. A beautiful cherry red wooden frame held a queen-sized bed, with cherry wood nightstands on each side facing her. A large window was behind the bed with white sheer curtains hanging over it letting in light. A door on the right lead to a closet and next to her on the wall with the entrance was a long three drawer dresser. It had a large mirror on top of it and it took up much of the wall space. She set her bags on her bed and went back down. She would unpack later.

Chapter 2

Victor woke in the morning already in a bad mood. Last night Pam had told him that, despite his wishes, his father had hired another senior to come work on the farm. He wished his father would stop it. Forcing girls into his company wouldn’t break the curse. He wasn’t even interacting with these girls, and nothing said that falling in love would break it anyway. He threw off his covers and climbed into his shower before dressing. The last to go on were his gloves. How he wished he didn’t have to wear them, but he couldn’t stand looking at his own hands, and he didn’t want to force them on anyone else. It was bad enough they had to see his face. He had grown out his sandy blond hair into a shaggy type style so that it would at least cover some of his face. Though sometimes it got into his blue eyes and drove him crazy.

When he got downstairs only Pam was in the kitchen. Ron got some things for you to keep upstairs in case you get hungry and thirsty. Want me to bring them up for you? He shook his head, No, I’ve got it. Thanks. When does she get here?

Some time after lunch. Her father said they would eat on the road. I’m really sorry that you have to deal with this again this summer. Surely this will be the last time. Victor rolled his eyes. Sit down I’ll fix you a plate for breakfast.

After breakfast, Victor put his things away in the room they had made into his living room. They had taken the wall down between two bedrooms to make it bigger. There was a couch, table and chairs, and a mini fridge. He had a large tv with all the gaming systems he could want. In his study he had a great computer with any games he could want. At least his father set him up nicely, he thought dryly. Once he had put his things away, he decided to go for a swim in the pool. Everyone would be busy, and this was the last time he would be able to all summer. He had wanted a wetsuit, but his father refused, saying he was overreacting and needed to get used to what he looked like now. Victor just tried not to look at himself. After a long swim, he changed and had lunch with everyone.

I wonder what this one will be like, Paul said smiling.

Victor wanted to hit him. He and his twin brother Isaac loved it when someone came for the summer. Last two summers they had fallen over themselves to do whatever the girl had wanted. In his heart he knew he was only jealous. Those girls had been very pretty, but he had realized over the last two years that looks weren’t everything. Watching the boys interact with the girls made him realize how shallow they were. They didn’t do any work and always had the boys do things for them, like get them something to drink, or make one of the boys take them into town because they were bored. They didn’t care that the boys had work to do and that they were supposed to be helping do that work.

Well, I for one, don’t care what she looks like, I’m done waiting on them hand and foot, Isaac declared. I don’t know what I was thinking the last two summers.

Paul laughed, You were thinking they were hot and you wanted them to notice you. Now he shrugged his broad shoulders. If you don’t want to go for it this year, that’s fine with me, I’ll have no competition. He glanced at Victor, Except you. They always want to ‘get to know’ you.

Groaning, Victor stabbed at his salad, They only want to find out why I’m so reclusive after I had been an idiot for two years.

They also want your money, don’t forget that. I’m sure their daddies send them up here with instructions to make you fall in love with them so that they can marry into your family. Isaac spit out disgusted. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people? What’s wrong with your dad, why can’t he just leave you alone?

Isaac! Ron scolded his son. You know his father is doing what he thinks is right. Our job is to work this farm and to help Victor in any way we can. If that’s protecting him from some stupid girl, we will do it.

Pam gave her husband a look. We don’t know who is coming, she may surprise us, She said looking around the table. I want everyone to give her a chance. Do not just assume you know her, or what she’s like because her father works for Victor’s father. There are many different types of people out there. She made sure everyone nodded in agreement. "That goes for you too Victor. You