If the spell holding Jane Austen’s ghost is not broken by July fourth during the one hundred and fiftieth year of the imprisonment, the cursed eldest daughter will share the ghost’s fate—both will lose their chance to be with their Mr. Darcy, and thus, their hearts will remain locked forever.
Mama grabs the page out of my hand. “This.” She shakes the paper. “This is serious business, baby.”
I half-laugh as I look down at the white scar on the soft side of my left wrist.
The jail became defunct once the prison moved out of Darcy, so my daddy isn’t technically a jailkeeper. He’s a bar owner. And Vivian was clearly either deranged or enjoyed dabbling in fantasy writing.
But Mama blames herself for the accident that caused my scar. She ripped this page out of the diary and demanded I hide it so I won’t be labeled cursed. She’s certain my Mr. Darcy is out there and that I need Jane Austen’s spirit to be freed or else I’ll lose my chance at true love.
Yeah, small-town urban legends are the worst.
“Mama.” I take the page back and return it to my desk just as Daddy starts shouting for us. “It will be okay. Come on, the race is about to start.”
“Macey,” Mama whispers as we walk down the hall to the front porch of the bar. “I just want the perfect man to sweep you off your feet.”
“Let’s just try to get through the derby without talking further about my love life,” I beg her. “Please.”
My mother pretends to zip her lips shut. “Not to worry, Mace. But I’ll be rooting for you.”
* * *
I stand with the “singles of Darcy” group as we gather outside The Cowherd. I’m leaning against the porch railing, but many of the contestants are standing behind me on the porch and craning their necks toward the opening to the woods at the edge of Wild Ranch. That opening is where the Wild Darcy Derby riders will come through on route to the finish line.
Ginny waves to me from her spot next to Mama on the lawn. I smile back and try to appear nonchalant, but inside I’m a bundle of nerves.
What if Logan doesn’t cross the finish line first?Like Ginny said, lots of men in this town can ride—and ride well. Darcy doesn’t exactly have a shortage of cowboys.
I waited with Ginny at the starting line so I could watch Logan mount his horse. He lined up in front of the pack of riders on the outside—right where I knew he wanted to be. Then, he messed around with something on his lap before he looked over at me and lifted his chin toward my right hand, the one holding my phone.
I glanced down at the screen.
Are you going to kiss me when I cross the finish line?
I felt my cheeks heat, and I quickly texted him back.
In your dreams. I’ll kiss you when nobody’s watching, though.
What about up at the altar? You better not leave me hanging.
I made a face at him, and he laughed.
Let’s see how much you impress me in the race, I typed back.
Within minutes, Daddy fired the gun, and Logan was off. I lost sight of him pretty quickly, and ever since, I’ve waited impatiently to see him again.
“Someone’s coming!” Mama’s voice pierces through the hum of conversation around me.
Every single head turns as if on a swivel, including mine.
I can just make out a horse, but the rider is still in shadow, until…
“Reid Wild!”
Shit.
I glance over at Ginny, who frowns.
This isn’t how it was supposed to happen.
