“Nate’s different.” I paused. “I feel safe around him. Ever since I met him, he’s only tried to protect me.”
Jack studied me for a moment. “You’ve always been a good judge of character, so if you trust this guy, I guess I can too.”
“Thank you, Jack.” What a relief!
The door to my bedroom opened and Abby walked in. “The pancakes are getting—” She stopped and stared at Jack. “What the . . .?”
Her eyes darted to mine and then back to Jack, and she looked at me again. “Please tell me why you have a boy in your bedroom, Dani.”
“Um . . .” I hadn’t thought this one through yet. “This is a friend from home who has come to visit,” I finally mumbled.
Abby pointed her finger at Jack who sat like a statue. “Who are you?” she growled, seeming really upset.
Jack bowed. “Good morning, Miss Abby. My name is Jack. I’m a friend of Dani’s.”
Her mouth fell open and her cheeks grew red. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was captivated—maybe even enamored—at Jack’s polite introduction.
Maybe Jack and Abby will fall for each other. I smiled.
I stepped toward her. “Abby meet Jack. Jack meet Abby.”
Both of them remained silent.
“Jack is going to stay here—at least I hope it is okay with your parents. Hopefully he can sleep on the couch or something. And do you think your dad might have some clothes he can borrow? Jack left his other clothes at home.”
Abby seemed to shake herself out of her daze. “I’ll go check.” She turned slowly, eyeing Jack carefully, and left the room.
“I should warn you not to do that here,” I said to him.
“Do what?”
“Bow to people, and refer to them by their titles.”
He scrunched his eyebrows. “Why on earth not?”
“People here are different. Instead of curtsying they shake hands, and their clothes are peculiar. Don’t even get me started about their odd hats.”
Jack shook his head. “Do you think you are safe here?”
“As safe as I can be, I guess.”
“I don’t know, Dani. Something doesn’t feel right.”
I couldn’t argue with him there, because I felt the same, and with the wizard knowing my location, I was pretty nervous.
All of a sudden Dorothy’s dad, Hank, stomped into the room. “So it’s true—there is a boy in your room! What’s going on?” He took one look at Jack with his strange attire and switched instantly from angry to curious. “What is your name, son?”
My best friend looked at me before answering Hank, “My name is Jack—Jack Atwood.”
Hank’s eyes grew wide, and suddenly he walked up to Jack and put his burly arms around him in a hug.
Hold on, back up. What’s happening?
“Dad . . .” Abby gasped as she entered the room.
Hank stepped away from Jack but kept his hands on his shoulders. There were tears in Hank’s eyes. “Oh, my dear boy, it’s been too long.”
Jack looked at me questioningly.
Hank pulled him into another embrace, this time muttering, “I’m Hansel, your mom’s friend.”
Jack frowned. “You’re Hansel?”
“Yes, and I’m so glad you’re here.”
Chapter 14
Hansel and Gretel
Once upon a time there lived a woodcutter and his wife. They had two children: a boy called Hansel and a girl whose name was Gretel.
The woodcutter and his family lived in a cottage on the outskirts of a forest. The man worked hard, but he could never cut down enough trees or chop up enough wood to earn more than a bare living.
Then a famine hit the land and things became worse than ever.
Hansel
“You’re Hansel?” Jack’s eyes mirrored Hank’s watery ones, and the two men embraced a third time.
As far as I could remember, Jack had never told me about a man named Hansel. I only knew of Jack’s aunt Maryanne, who lived at Sherwood Manor.
“Dad, please tell me what’s going on,” said Abby, who still stood by the door. Like her, I had no idea.
Hank released Jack and turned to face Abby and me. “I haven’t seen this boy since he was a baby,” he said. “When I came here, I chose to leave my old life behind. It wasn’t because I wanted to, but because it was necessary.”
Necessary? Why?
“You’re telling me that you knew this boy when he was a baby?” Abby said.
Her dad grinned. “Yes. His mother and I grew up best friends.”
Now it was my turn to ask questions. I looked straight at Jack. “Why didn’t you tell me about him?”
“My mom always talked about her friend who grew up next to her when she was little and was like a brother to her. She said his name was Hansel, but he moved far away when they got older. She talked about him often, but it only felt like a dream to me, so I hardly ever mentioned him to anyone else.”
Jack’s explanation didn’t quite make sense to me, so I’d ask him more about it later.
“What happened to your face?” Hank asked him.
Jack rubbed his chin with his jaw. “Troy roughed me up a bit last night.”
Abby huffed. “Why?”
“My presence came quite as a shock when he happened upon me last night.”
Hank affectionately ruffled Jack’s hair. “Your scars will heal and only make you more attractive to the ladies.”
I glanced at Abby, whose cheeks had turned bright pink.
“Come on,” Hank said. “Let’s get you some breakfast.”
We all went to the kitchen. Hank and Jack spoke excitedly to one another, sharing stories to bridge the gap of their lifetime spent apart. Jack told Hank about his mom and aunt, and Hank explained how he and Gretel had gotten lost in the woods when they were young.
As the day went on, Abby and I sat listening to Hank and Jack’s conversations. The three fairies had to stay an extra day at the fair, so Dorothy didn’t get home till late afternoon. She was super excited when she met Jack. I was just glad no one slipped up in front of Abby by mentioning my royal lineage, or curses or wizards, or the magical land of Fenmore Falls.
It was a wonderful Sunday spent with old and new friends. However, Nate never came to visit, so I fell asleep that night with a sad song in my heart. I probably should have held in my feelings for him a little longer. There was a reason a woman should always act like a lady, and he was probably ashamed of my lack of manners. If my mom ever learned about it, she would definitely say, “I told you so.”
}
The next day was Monday, so we all went to school. Including Jack. Hank had found him a pair of the jeans everyone was wearing, and Jack had chosen a long-sleeved green shirt over the short-sleeved shirt Hank handed him first. Jack looked good in the shirt, which brought out the greenish tint in his hazel-brown eyes.
Jack’s expression of terror as we rode in Abby’s car, was probably a lot like my first ride to school. Even though I was still not used to the jarring movements of the speeding vehicle, I was glad I didn’t look as silly as Jack did right now. Plus, with his sore ribs, he had a harder time handling himself around the corners.
Once we parked at the high school and headed toward the building, I inhaled a big breath, not sure I was ready to pretend for another day. Besides, if the wizard knew where I was, why should I bother blending in? Shouldn’t I be hiding?
Jack grabbed my hand, and as if he could read my mind (which in a way he sort of could), he said. “Remember, we’re in this together. We’ll take it one day at a time.”
I smiled up at him. “One day at a time.”
Dorothy had managed to sign Jack up for the same classes as Abby and me, so we followed her to our first one. He was never going to leave my side, and that’s just how I wanted it.
When we walked into the classroom, I spotted Nate sitting in his usual seat in the back. I quickly smiled when he looked at me, but he frowned, staring between Jack and me at o
ur joined hands. Abby also gave me a smirk when she noticed Jack holding my hand. A few other students lowered their eyes to my hand, and I finally pulled free from Jack’s grip. I guess friendly affection wasn’t shown the same way here in Idaho.
I walked to the back of the room and sat in my seat next to Nate. “Good morning,” I said.
He looked up. “Good morning.”
His crisp voice sent a cold wind through my heart. “Why did you decide not to come by yesterday?” I asked.
Nate glanced over my shoulder to where Jack sat in front of Abby. “Didn’t you have enough company as it was?”
“What does that mean?” I looked back at Jack and then to Nate. “I wanted you to meet Jack.”
“I met him already, remember?” Nate leaned back in his chair, not frowning, but not smiling, either.
Where is the charming guy from Saturday night? “Nate, why are you— ”
“Just forget about it, Dani,” he interrupted.
“No, I will not forget about it,” I said. I was fuming, but I tried to keep my voice down. “Why won’t you just tell me what’s wrong?”
Nate raised a finger to his mouth and shushed me. “We’ll talk it about it later, okay?”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Ugh, you are being a pig head.” It was the most offensive word I could think of.
A smile crept a little through Nate’s tough exterior. “Did you just call me a pig head?”
My heart melted a little at his beautiful smile. “Yes, you heard me. You’re being a grubby, stubborn, pig head.”
Nate laughed out loud. I laughed too—I couldn’t help it. Most of the other students turned around in their chairs to watch the two of us laugh ourselves silly.
Ms. White entered the room and quieted the class just as I wiped away my happy tears.
Nate leaned closer and spoke low so only I could hear. “I’ve missed you, Dani. I’m sorry I didn’t come visit yesterday.”
“I’ve missed you too,” I said.
He gave me a deep smile and then sat back in his chair to focus his attention on the teacher.
I looked at Jack from the corner of my eye. He was watching me closely, so I mouthed, “What?”
He nodded his head toward Nate, winking as if to let me know he approved.
Smiling, I made sure Ms. White wasn’t watching, then leaned over and whispered to Jack, “Don’t answer questions in class.”
“Why?”
Abby responded for me. “If you know as much French as Dani does, just be quiet.” She grinned at Jack.
I nodded so he knew Abby spoke the truth, and though Jack frowned a little, he nodded back.
The school day went by quickly with Jack tagging along. We joked around like we always had, and it was wonderful having someone who knew my secrets.
Abby enjoyed Jack’s company too. I mean, who wouldn’t? His old-fashioned manners made a girl feel important. Abby soaked up his compliments, and, honestly, I could tell he liked her company too. By the end of the school day, they seemed quite close, and I was pretty sure they liked each other—and not just as friends. How sweet and perfectly wonderful, I thought.
Just as we were getting into Abby’s car, Nate and Troy walked up to us.
“Sorry about your face,” Troy said to Jack.
“That’s all right,” Jack replied politely, but as his best friend, I saw the contempt in his gaze.
“I guess that’s what happens when your face runs into my fist,” Troy joked. Nobody laughed.
I could see bruising around Troy’s own eyes—obviously he wasn’t as tough as he pretended to be. Still, I tried not to be happy about Troy’s injuries.
“So, how long have you known Dani,” Nate asked Jack.
Jack stood up straighter. “Since we were six,”
“That’s a long time.”
“It’s a long time to know every dark secret about somebody.” Jack winked at me.
Oh my goodness! He better not hint at any of my secrets!
“Anything you can tell me that will make Dani blush more than she is right now?” Nate teased. I was glad he was making conversation with my friend, but he knew how to ruffle my feathers, and my cheeks were growing hotter by the minute.
Jack’s laugh rumbled in his chest. “Ha! I like a man who can tease Dani like I can. I think you and I will be friends.”
Nate slapped Jack on the back. “Welcome to Idaho, Jack.”
Jack looked shocked at first at the odd gesture, but then he repeated the action and slapped Nate on the back. “Thank you, Nate. Glad to be here.”
Troy grunted. “Come on, Nate, let’s go.” He turned on his heel and marched to their blue truck.
“Sorry,” Nate said. “Sometimes my brother isn’t very polite.”
“I can see that,” I said.
“I better go before he leaves me. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” Nate turned and jogged to catch up with Troy.
I watched him until Abby said, “You’re drooling.”
“No, I’m not,” I exclaimed, but I closed my mouth anyway and turned my eyes away from the cute cowboy.
“I like him,” Jack said.
Me too, I sighed.
“I don’t like his brother, though,” Jack commented.
“Troy just keeps to himself,” Abby said. “It’s hard to get to know him, but Nate vouches for him and says he’s a good guy. So, that’s good enough for everybody else.”
“But I’m not everybody else,” Jack replied.
“ou could always work on their horse ranch and see for yourself if he is a good guy,” Abby suggested. “They’re always looking for more workers.”
When Jack was silent, I turned around and saw his creased brow. “No, Jack. You shouldn’t be anywhere around Troy. It’s obvious the two of you don’t get along very well.”
“Dani.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Abby and around to the other side of the car. “Tell me you don’t feel uncertain about Troy, and I’ll leave it be. I don’t like him, and since I’m here to help you, I need to make sure he’s not a threat.”
Jack had a point. I didn’t trust Troy. I only wanted to keep Jack away from the guy so Jack would be safe. My best friend had a temper when it came to protecting me, and I couldn’t let him throw himself in an awful situation.
“We’ll go over there together,” I said. I held up my hand when Jack opened his mouth to protest. “I’m either coming with you to work at the horse ranch, or I’ll figure out another way to go by myself.” I added my pouty look for emphasis. Our youth had been filled with dangerous adventures—albeit inside the castle or on the grounds. Jack was wrapped around my little finger and had no choice but to concede.
“Are we going or what?” Abby asked from the other side of the car.
“Are we going or what?” I repeated to Jack, implying my alternate meaning of Abby’s question`. I batted my eyes and stuck out my lower lip.
He exhaled a deep breath. “I think you’re the stubborn pig head, not Nate,” he smirked.
I smiled wide, knowing I had won the debate.
The pouty look always worked.
Chapter 15
One of My Adventures with Jack: The Cake Heist
“Here . . . take this,” I said to Jack from my window. I had knotted some sheets together and tied one end to the leg of my enormous and really heavy dresser. Now I extended the other end of my “rope” out the window.
“Careful,” replied my cohort, who stood on the grass below.
I climbed onto the windowsill and wrapped my hands and legs around the sheet rope, then started down. The folds of my long skirt hampered my progress a bit, but I managed to hold on. The sheets stopped about eight feet short of the grass, so I jumped to my partner. After I landed, I giggled in relief.
“You are quite a handful,” Jack said, pushing me off him.
“You know you love to go on these adventures with me.”
“What I would love is to go on some daring adventures.
If only best friend was a boy.”
“Even so, here you are helping me.”
Jack chuckled. “Only because you can’t be safely left to your own devices.”
“Actually, being a girl is to my advantage, because no one suspects me of foul play.” I slapped him on the back. “Now let’s go sneak some cake from the kitchen before the staff wakes up.”
Day 6 in Idaho
After school on Tuesday, Abby took us to Mr. Haney’s to ask about a job. As we walked along the picket-fenced street, I could see the large red barn of the horse ranch. Next to the barn were sheds and stalls, lined up neatly in rows. Behind the barn stood a white house. Well, it used to be white, but the paint was badly chipped. A small, redbrick chimney ran up the right side of the structure. The grass in the yard was overgrown, and it looked like there had once been a flower garden next to the house.
When we reached the front door, Abby knocked. Troy opened the door and scowled at us. He always seemed to be in a bad mood. Abby asked for Mr. Haney, and Troy turned and left us standing on the porch.
Glancing into the house, I noticed a beautiful, black upright piano in a small room off the entryway. The polished instrument seemed out of place in its neglected surroundings. I stepped into the home to get a better look.
“Dani, where are you going?”
I ignored Jack and walked to the piano. My fingers twitched as I ran them silently over the white and black keys. Then I brushed my other hand against the smoothly finished wood above the keyboard.
I heard movement behind me and turned to see Mr. Haney. He was even taller than I remembered. “Do you play?” he asked.
I nodded.
“This piano was my mother’s,” he said. “I never learned to play, which was a big disappointment to her. She played beautifully and filled my childhood home with music. When she died, she left it to me.” He paused in recollection. “Nobody has played it since.”
How sad, I thought. Pianos are meant to be played.
“Will you play for me?”
Mr. Haney’s question surprised me, but I replied, “Yes, I’d love to.”
I sat on the bench and paused a moment, then began to play, softly, a song that had always been in my heart. The ring and echo of each note sounded amazing. I played louder and more confidently, and soon I closed my eyes to completely immerse myself in the sound. The piano’s feel and tone were perfection, and it was surprisingly well tuned. My body swayed to the music as the sound penetrated every inch of air.
Finding Sleeping Beauty Page 10