Page 43 of Ella and the Enchanted Bookshop

“Like cake she does,” Margaret muttered. “Does she know Asher’s here?”

“She definitely does. I got Derrick to cover the horse in labor, but apparently, she’s destroyed my dress.”

I expected Margaret to respond with another angry retort. But to my surprise, this only made her laugh. “Well, is that all? I’ll be right over. Have everything else ready!”

By the time Margaret arrived, Derrick was with Trudy in the barn, my boxes were beside the door for him to load into the back of his truck, and I was hopping up and down from one foot to the other in nervous anticipation. She was driving her book delivery truck.

“All right,” she said, opening the back of the truck. “I didn’t have much time to throw this together. But it should do in a pinch.” And with that, she withdrew the most magnificent ballgown I had ever seen.

The skirt of the dress was full, and it was a blue the color of the sky on a cold October day. Countless layers of gauzy, glittery fabric were layered on top of that vivid blue, and there were even more layers beneath the skirt, making it look like the dress was floating over the ground. The bodice had dozens of crystals sewn into it that perfectly matched my tiara–though how Margaret would have known about that, I hadn’t a clue.

“Margaret,” I breathed. “It’s… incredible! How did you–”

“And it’s also getting late!” She hurried me inside. “Quick! We haven’t a moment to lose!”

Five minutes later, I was not only in the dress but Margaret had laced up the ribbons on the back so that the gown fit me like a glove.

“Now,” Margaret ordered, “get Asher’s tiara!”

I had a quick moment of panic, thinking that perhaps Casey had stolen that too, until I nearly tripped on it where it must have fallen on the floor.

“There.” Margaret took the tiara and placed it on my head with a look of smug satisfaction. “It’s too bad that woman won’t see you tonight. I would pay to see the look on her face if she did. Now drink this.” She shoved a cup of steaming tea at me. When had she had the time to brew that?

I frowned but sipped obediently. “She won’t see me?”

“No. If she happens to look your way, you’ll be turning away, and she’ll never catch a full glimpse of your face.”

I shook my head. “But how–”

“As long as you drink the tea, the spell will last. In fact, they should all last…” She paused and twisted her mouth thoughtfully. “Until midnight. Then they’ll begin to lose their potency.”

I blinked at her. “Wait, what spell?”

She glanced at her watch and shuddered. “But it’s ten already, which means you’ve got to go!” She started to turn, then looked down at my boots. “Ella, really!”

I threw my hands up. “Margaret, I’m riding my horse to the lodge! I can’t wear six-inch heels!”

Margaret scoffed and shook her head. But a moment later, to my amazement, the boots lost their thick crust of mud and dust and instead began to glitter as dozens of sparkling gems that matched my tiara now encrusted their edges.

I gaped. “Margaret, did you…”

“Go get on that horse, child, or you’re going to lose the entire evening!”

It took me a moment to get over the shock of watching my boots grow a garden of diamonds, but after more impatient urging from Margaret, I made my way back out to the stable, where, for the sake of my gown, I used the mounting block to mount my horse.

Derrick let out a low whistle as I did. “Margaret, you outdid yourself. Ella, if only your daddy could see you now!” As he said this, he wiped the corners of his eyes.

If I hadn’t been in such a hurry, I would have wondered how Derrick immediately recognized Margaret’s work. Did he know she had magic?

“Remember,” Margaret said, coming to stand beside Nevada. “The spell will start to lessen at midnight! Which means you’ve got no time to dally. Get to the ball. Find him and explain!” Then she paused once more. “Oh, good grief. What was I thinking? It’s nighttime in October!” And with a single swish of one finger, the bodice of my dress grew long sleeves, thickening into a silky top similar to my parade costume, but with all the sparkles and pretty colors of the original dress.

I was speechless, but Margaret was not. “All right, Nevada. Get her there soon! Get!” And with a gentle slap to my mare’s rear, we raced out of the barn and off into the night, where I hoped to find my true love.

23

Dancing with the Prince

Irode as quickly as I dared in a fancy ballgown down a trail that wound around and behind the ski resort. Before it closed, the resort had kept horses of its own for trail rides through the mountains and carriage rides through town. Casey had purchased several of the horses when the resort closed. What didn’t close, however, were the trails that led up and around the resort’s property. And since I knew this part of the mountains like the back of my hand, it was no problem to find the right one, even in the dark.