Page 45 of Ella and the Enchanted Bookshop

“You could have asked Margaret–”

“Margaret said, and I quote, ‘Some conversations should be had in person.’ She told me you would likely be back tonight. It’s why I worked so hard to get here after Casey tried to force me to stay at home and stole my dress.”

He stared at me. “She what?”

“She knew I wanted to talk to you. So she told me if she saw me here tonight, she’d never let me see Nevada again, and all my stuff would legally be considered hers, and I’d never be allowed to step foot on my parents’ property ever again. Then she stole my dress.”

Asher’s eyes darkened, and he took several steps toward me. “She threatened all that?”

I shrugged. “Promised. Threats and promises are all the same to Casey.”

His eyes softened as he looked at my tiara again. “And yet, you came.”

I chuckled. “Well, I had some help. Mostly Derrick’s. And Margaret’s. This dress, for example.” I swished it back and forth. “And the fact that my hair doesn’t look like someone sat on it after I rode here on horseback.”

His eyes got even wider. “You rode here on horseback? At night in October? In a dress?” He looked me up and down again, as though seeing me anew. “And you’re sure you’re not too cold?”

“I promise, I’m fine,” I laughed. “I just… I had to see you.” Why did I suddenly sound so breathless?

He stepped closer again, until we were so close we were nearly touching. Reaching out, he gently tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, his fingers grazing my cheek. “And… you won’t resent giving up your parents’ dreams?”

It was hard to concentrate with his warm, brown eyes focused so intently on my face. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot,” I whispered, “and I don’t think my parents would want me to give up my dreams so I could be held captive by theirs.”

“You did have a lot to say,” he murmured, taking my hands in his. “It’s too bad–”

“I am so sorry,” I interrupted him. “But Margaret stuck gems all over my boots, and they are killing me.” Unable to bear the pinch in my shoes any longer, I removed my hands from his and yanked my boots off.

He laughed. “Do the sparkles really hurt that bad?”

“I think she somehow embedded the gems on the inside so they wouldn’t fall off,” I groaned as I stuck the boots in the corner beside an empty sofa. “Okay. Now I can hear myself think. What were we saying again?”

“I was thinking,” he said, taking one of my hands, “that perhaps you would like to dance.”

I definitely wanted to dance. But I couldn’t risk staying too late. Not only was Margaret convinced that her “gifts” would expire, but I couldn’t risk being there when Casey and the girls got back. I glanced at my watch. To my relief, however, only twenty minutes had passed since I’d arrived. Which meant I had time.

We headed downstairs, and I was very grateful that the dress was long enough to cover my socked feet. He led me to the dance floor in the center of the room and then drew me toward him as he placed his free hand on my waist. The song was a slow one, as the party dances seemed to be done for the night.

“So,” I asked as we swayed back and forth, “I’m guessing Margaret bought you your costume? And then bullied you into wearing it?”

He raised his brows. “Was it that obvious?”

I smirked and gestured down to my own dress. “Is anything really a coincidence around that woman?”

Asher laughed and shook his head. “You know, there are a number of coincidences that happened to me when I was a child that I have a hard time believing now. And I wouldn’t believe them at all, except that Margaret is still in my life.” Then he glanced down at the floor. “You know, I think you’re the first shoeless dance partner I’ve ever had.”

I tilted my head. “And you’re all right with that?”

“Only,” he said in a softer voice, “because you’re the right one.” And with that, he leaned down until his lips brushed against mine. I drew in a deep breath, anticipating the kiss I’d been hoping for since–

The big grandfather clock against one of the walls began to clang loudly that it was eleven o’clock. And at the same time, a shriek went up from the corner of the room, where Jaelyne was crying, hot chocolate dripping from her costume where she must have spilled it.

“Oh no!” I breathed. “Asher, I have to go! I’ll get your number from Margaret. We’ll talk then!” And with that, I bolted from the room.

It only occurred to me when I slipped slightly on the polished stone floor that I was wearing nothing but socks. But I didn’t stop or go back. If my stepmother saw me, all of my carefully laid plans would be for nothing. I would lose Nevada. I would lose what little of my belongings I had left.

And I couldn’t let that happen.

Pushing myself even harder, I was gasping for breath by the time I reached my horse, my dress and socks most definitely stained green from my run through the grass. But I didn’t hesitate as I swung myself up into the saddle. I had to get home first.