“No, no. Of course there will be no harm done to those darling little mortal grubs. But if she lays her ears back, the children will be warned to step away, lest she swish her sharp tail over their tender knees.”
Xtelle perked up, her entire countenance lifting.
“Thatishow a pony behaves,” she stated. “I have seen it with my own eyes. They’re assholes. I would be well within my pony rights to nip a little finger—lip only, Delaney, you don’t have to get your badge in a wad.”
“They’ll feed you,” Panny said, laying it on thick. “Sugar cubes right out of the palms of their plump, nubile hands. Crisp fresh apples offered from young, soft fingers. Honeyed grains paid for out of their meager allowances.”
Xtelle shivered. “This is…pleasant.”
“I am humbled you think so.”
“Yes, you were very…tolerable.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“I assume you will be at this…petting?”
“Zoo,” I inserted. “Petting zoo.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He winked at her.
She tittered, a high, girlish giggle. “Oh, you.”
Then they just stood there, staring at each other.
I cleared my throat. “You know you don’t have a choice, right?”
Xtelle didn’t even look up at me or Stina. “I accept my penance.”
“I’m overjoyed.” Stina’s delivery was so dry, I couldn’t help but grin.
“Well, there you go then,” I said to Xtelle. “I guess you won’t have to do dishes after all. And a petting zoo is one hundred percent pony work. Lucky you.”
“Be here just after dawn Saturday,” Stina ordered. “If you’re late, you will accumulate additional debt.”
Frankly, I didn’t think this could have gone better. Pan trotted off.
Xtelle was no longer paying any attention to Stina. She’d turned her back completely and was now staring out at the gravel parking area.
Pan oh-so-casually trit-trotted into her line of sight, tossing his head to make his white beard flow in the wind, horns slashing the air as if ready to bash heads with any poor goat who happened by.
Hisbaawas deep and suggestive.
Xtelle hummed, obviously liking what she was seeing.
Duct tape. For my eyes.
“Thanks for your understanding, Stina,” I said, giving the rope a little tug. “It’s generous of you not to press charges.”
Xtelle snorted, but followed the tug on the rope, even though she continued staring at Pan over her shoulder.
“Good-bye, Delaney,” Stina said. I heard the jangle of the bells over the front door that signaled someone had entered her shop.
“Most people would have been happy to see you sitting in jail.” I picked up the pace.
“Most people wouldn’t have the audacity to sell such mediocre candy.” She was still half twisted around so she could keep her eyes on Panny.
“Why did you pick Stina’s shop, out of all the candy shops in Ordinary?”
