Page 44 of Ella and the Enchanted Bookshop

If only, I winced as I rode, the decorations Margaret had added to my boots didn’t make them feel so tight!

Sure enough, I ended up at a back gate that had broken years ago. If I survived this escapade unscathed, I would have to tell Asher’s father about it in the future so he could have it fixed. But as Nevada trotted onto the resort property, I sent up a prayer of thanks that it was broken today.

When we were close enough to the resort, I dismounted and tied Nevada to one of the lower branches of a tree that reached over the resort’s back stone wall. Panic hit me somewhat as I realized that my hair must be an absolute mess. Margaret had put it up in a fancy knot on my head, but I could only imagine it looking somewhat like a bird’s nest after riding through a forest in the wind. To my amazement, though, when I pulled out my phone to look at myself in the camera, I realized that hardly a hair was out of place.

Margaret really did have magic.

Getting inside unseen would be more difficult. Margaret had said that my family wouldn’t recognize me if they saw me, but I was still hesitant to test that theory. If only I had a mask! But as I had no mask, and I didn’t know any secret entrances into the resort itself, I had no choice but to head through the front doors, trying not to limp as my now sparkly boots pinched my feet.

The front lawn had been transformed from what usually appeared to be a wealthy mountain estate into a Halloween extravaganza. There was a graveyard in the apple grove and a pumpkin patch where the flower beds were in the summer. Pumpkins seemed to dot every flat space in the yard, and staff in scarecrow costumes walked around holding trays of snacks and drinks. There were not one but two hay mazes–one for children and one for adults, and several hot chocolate and apple cider stands dotted the lawn. Carnival games had been set up for the children, and seats and benches had been placed all over for waiting parents.

Much to my relief, Margaret’s costume gown was no worse for the wear despite my wild ride through trails with thorny bushes. Perhaps it was too good. I drew attention everywhere I walked, the skirt shimmering in the moonlight like it had been made for the night, and I hoped with rising anxiety that no one would want me to stop and chat. But to my relief, my friends and neighbors only smiled vaguely before continuing whatever they had been doing before they saw me.

Margaret’s magic must have worked for people besides my family as well. It was put to the ultimate test, however, when, as I was walking up the flat stone steps to the front door, I bumped right into Harper.

“Oh, sorry,” I said quickly before thinking better of it. But Harper only made a face at me before hurrying past as if it had never happened.

After this was all done, Margaret and I were having a serious discussion about her “abilities.” I was about ready to believe that unicorns were real, too.

I’d been inside the massive chalet several times as a child, but it had looked nothing like it did that night. Asher’s father must have put some serious money into renovations because the new walls were white, the wood was polished, and nothing was breaking or splintering the way it had been the last time I’d been inside. The main entrance was centered around three large fireplaces, each with a sitting area of its own. A dance floor had been set up at the center of the room, and couples twirled around it. The edges near the windows were lined with tables dripping with food, and children ran around collecting candy from more costumed staff members. People stood and sat everywhere, eating, drinking, and chatting while the kids got their candy. There was even a set of tables for those who wanted to decorate their own caramel apples.

But I wasn’t here to eat apples or drink cider or chat with friends. I was here to find one person, and I had two hours left to do it.

The very person who was standing on the second level of the main room looking unhappily down over the lower wall at the party below. And he was dressed as a fairy tale prince.

Taking a deep breath, I made my way up one of the two sets of stairs that led to the upper level. My guess was that most of the hotel rooms were on the second level. There was another fireplace between the two main hallways with its own seating area where a small group of people mingled and ate more quietly than the rambunctious crowd below, but Asher was as far from them as he could be. He didn’t see me as I approached, staring distantly down at the party.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. What was I supposed to say?

I’m sorry my evil stepmother stole my phone and broke up with you behind my back?

“I’m glad you made it back safely,” I blurted instead.

He turned and looked at me, and for a moment, his eyes widened as he took in my gown and my tiara. But then he looked away again nearly as fast.

“I see you came with your family. I hope you have a good time.” He turned and began to walk away, but I followed him.

“I didn’t break up with you,” I called out after him.

He turned around once more, pain and anger etched on his face, making its angles much sharper than I’d ever seen them. “Really? Because what I’ve got here on my phone proves otherwise.”

“There’s a lot to explain,” I said cautiously. I had meant to start with the story of what Casey had done. But in that moment, I realized that I needed to explain even more. He needed to see the big picture of what he had done–the depth of change he had catapulted into my life.

“I know I’ve been stuck in this… life for a while,” I hurried to say. “When my dad died, I was sixteen. I didn’t have anywhere to go or any family who could take me, and since my dad had left me in the custody of my stepmother, I don’t think they could have taken me without a fight.” I took a deep breath. “The days after his death were… they were bad. And all I had were the horses. The horses pulled me through, and though Casey gave me lots of work in the stables, I didn’t mind because it was like a part of my parents were still with me.”

The resentment didn’t leave Asher’s face, but as I spoke of the horses and of my parents’ death, I could see him thaw slightly. And it gave me hope.

“And those days turned to weeks which turned to months which turned to years.” I shook my head. “I knew I needed to do something after high school, so I started taking one college class at a time. And I guess…” I shrugged. “I guess I had no reason to look beyond that. I didn’t like the way Casey treated me, but I loved my horses. They were all I had. It wasn’t until you came that I…” I faltered, embarrassment suddenly making my cheeks flame red. “Well, until you came.” I gave him a poor attempt at a smile, “I didn’t realize just how stagnant my life had become.”

“And I suppose you’re going to change that now?” he asked. It was hard not to flinch at the harshness in his voice. He’d never spoken to me like that. But, I reminded myself, he was human. And he’d been hurt. A hurt I still needed to heal.

“I already have, actually.” I rubbed my hands together to have something to do with them. “Derrick’s at my stepmother’s house right now, getting ready to haul Nevada and her equipment off to a friend’s house as soon as I get back. She’ll stay there until I can find somewhere more permanent to keep her. My stuff’s in boxes as well, and Derrick’s bringing it to Margaret’s house, where I’m going to stay until I get on my feet. And on Monday, I’m doing the unthinkable and starting a non-horse job.” I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly thick. “And, as I said, it all started with you.”

He blinked a few times and stared down at the party again, and it took everything in me to let him process, rather than to throw myself at his feet and beg him not to be angry.

“If all that’s true,” he said slowly, “then why did you break up with me? And so thoroughly, I might add?”

I grimaced. “That wasn’t me. My stepmother was mad at me, so she stole my phone and texted you. Then she deleted all of your information so I couldn’t contact you back.”