Page 46 of Ella and the Enchanted Bookshop

Once again, we raced through the forest. I barely even noticed the cold because I was sweating so much from my run. And when I got home, I leaped off Nevada’s back and stalled her as quickly as I could.

“Derrick?” I hissed, searching for my father’s friend. As I looked, I saw Trudy looking comfortable with her new colt. But there was no answer from Derrick. Even worse was that my boxes were still lined up beside the house. He was supposed to have removed them by now.

“I see you didn’t take my advice.”

And there, leaning against the back door of the house, was Casey.

24

Midnight

Istood frozen as Casey pushed off the wall and began walking toward me.

“You know, it’s funny. I don’t remember calling Derrick to oversee the labor of one of my horses. I remember that job being assigned to you.”

I didn’t answer her as she continued to walk toward me. For once, I had nothing to say. I’d spent so much time perfecting my plans. I’d been so sure I could leave on my own terms.

But now, right in front of my eyes, it was all falling to pieces.

“You ought to be grateful that I simply fired him and ordered him off the property. I could have had him arrested for trespassing. But for your father’s sake, I just told him to go.” She came to stand in front of me. “Ironically, if Jaelyne hadn’t spilled her hot chocolate all over her costume, I might never had had such an illuminating revelation as I had coming home.” She looked behind her and tapped one of my boxes. “What I don’t appreciate is you trying to sneak away with more of my property.”

“That stuff is mine,” I said, gritting my teeth in an effort not to cry. I would not cry in front of Casey. “I didn’t touch anything that’s yours.”

“See, that’s where we disagree.” Casey gave me a smug smile. “Everything on this property is mine. I could even have you arrested for trespassing as well. But for your father’s sake,” she crossed her arms, “I’m simply going to insist that by the first light of morning, you’re gone. And don’t try taking any of this,” she jabbed her thumb back at my boxes, “or any horse. As far as the law is concerned, it all belongs to me.”

“Why?” I demanded, my voice wavering far more than I wanted it to. “Why are you doing this?”

“Why am I what?” she asked in a bored tone. “Claiming my property?”

“You never even tried to love me!” I hadn’t meant to shout the words, but from somewhere deep inside me, they came. “You just used me! The same way you used my father!”

Casey’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I wondered if she might slap me. But then her mouth spread into a slow, cruel smile. “That’s one lesson your father quickly learned. But you’ve seemed to struggle with it for a long time.” She leaned forward and whispered. “When I saw your father for the first time, I saw a strong, intelligent man with a drive for success. So I went after him. And sure enough, all that he had eventually belonged to me.” She leaned back, her smile still widening. “I always get what I want. Why is that so hard to understand?”

Then she turned and strode back toward the door. “But lest you think I’m too much of a monster, I’ll give you the night. It is, after all, midnight.” Halfway there, she stopped and turned to face me once more. “Like I said, though. By first light, you need to be gone.”

In spite of Casey’s generosity, I didn’t plan to sleep that night. I didn’t even try to go back into my room. Still dressed in Margaret’s beautiful dress and Asher’s tiara and with only socks on my feet, I

slowly went back into the barn. I knew I should be doing something. I should be calling someone. But I felt like my mind had been broken. And all I could do was get one of the horse blankets from the tack room before letting myself into Nevada’s stall, where I could lay beside her in the straw and cry.

25

A Princess & Her Boots

Imust have dozed off at some point because I awoke with a jump to the sound of clanging metal.

“First light’s coming soon, princess,” Casey said with a bright smile, shiny and crimson from her freshly applied lipstick. “Time to get up and get on with your life.” She opened the stall door to reveal a single suitcase and my purse on top.

“Don’t worry about calling the police to report that I’ve stolen your ID. Everything that’s legally yours is in these bags.” She patted them. “Which means it’s time to go.”

I slowly stood and went to my mare once more.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, pressing my head against her shoulder. “I tried so hard!” Tears were running down my face, but a moment later, someone else’s crying far exceeded my own.

“No!” Jaelyne wailed as she ran through the barn doors. “You can’t kick her out! She lives here! This is her home!”

“Jaelyne!” her mother snapped, grabbing her before she could reach me. “Go in the house right now and go back to bed!”

“No!” Jaelyne shouted again. “I won’t let her go!”