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Ellery backed toward her bedroom. “I need to go shower.”
“Wait a minute,” her mom all but screeched from her chair as Aunt Elise stared at her in shock. “He did invite you! It’s written all over your face.”
Ellery froze and closed her eyes, letting herself relive it. When she didn’t have to fight so hard to keep up her shield, the way he’d looked, felt, and sounded was beautifully tender, inspiring, and thrilling.
“He did,” she admitted.
“Yes!”
“Yahoo!”
“Happy, happy dance!”
“You go, girl!”
“Princess Elle!”
Ellery hadn’t tried to distinguish who had said what, but the last one got her eyes to open wide. “Please don’t … I can’t ever get my hopes up like that.”
“Ellery Monson.” Her mom’s voice held a warning. She stood and walked slowly to face her, grabbing both of Ellery’s hands. “You have every right to get your hopes up. Prince Derek would be blessed to date you.”
She stared at her as if expecting Ellery to agree, but the only response Ellery had in her mind was a negative one that would upset her mom.
“If that incredible prince asked you to go to the royal wedding with him, you are going.”
“Mom.” They were so many protests and problems she didn’t know where to start.
“You are going. Don’t make me kick your little tush.”
“Mom!”
Aunt Elise was beaming, uncharacteristically not saying a word.
“Don’t you dare say we can’t afford it, or worse, that you’re not right for a prince. He’d be lucky and honored to have you on his arm.”
Ellery didn’t roll her eyes, though she wanted to.
“You are going.”
“Oh, Mom.”
“Don’t worry about me, or the money, or anything else. This is a dream come true. You’ll never admit it to anyone, but I’ve seen the way you glow when you talk about him. Just look at that picture of you together. You’re so obviously in love with him, even a photo shows it.”
Ellery needed to sink into a chair or at least lean against a wall. She was close to an emotional collapse.
“We’ll make it work, love. Elise will take care of me while you go.”
“Yes, I will.”
Her mom smiled at her sister. “And Pastor Miles is always asking how the church can help us more.” She flinched as she said the words. “They can … bring in a few meals or help on a bad day when Elise is working. I’m sure a miracle will happen soon and you’ll earn the money we need with your talent and beauty.” Her mom looked determined, but concerned about that miracle.
“I got offered fifty thousand dollars today for a protein shake commercial.”
“It’s a miracle!” Aunt Elise hollered so loud somebody pounded on the wall and the ceiling.
“That’s amazing,” her mom breathed out. Then, obviously exhausted, she moved toward her chair. Ellery assisted her, wondering if she should share about the white silk pant lady, Naomi Rindlesbacher, whose face didn’t move, the murderous and deceptive Hattie Ballard, or all the other royal drama. But no … her mom and Aunt Elise didn’t need any more stress. Their lives were already one stress or pain after another. Ellery wanted to go with Derek simply because of how happy it would make the pair of them.
She settled her mom into the chair.
