23. Dancing with the Prince
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.
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.”
“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.
Once again, we raced through the forest. I barely even noticed the cold because I was sweating so much from my run. And when I got home, I leaped off Nevada’s back and stalled her as quickly as I could.
“Derrick?” I hissed, searching for my father’s friend. As I looked, I saw Trudy looking comfortable with her new colt. But there was no answer from Derrick. Even worse was that my boxes were still lined up beside the house. He was supposed to have removed them by now.
“I see you didn’t take my advice.”
And there, leaning against the back door of the house, was Casey.