Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
A few minutes later, the clop of hooves made her pause and stop working for a moment. Essie smiled at the sweet pony who’d arrived with flowers in his mane. The kids were going to flip out over him.
“This is a gorgeous pony!” Zander said as he guided the prancing creature through the garden. “I wasn’t expecting a boy named Bubbles.”
Essie studied the adorable pony who stretched a velvety nose out to smell the nearby roses next to the handsome man. Handsome Daddy, she corrected herself. “Oh, he is the cutest!”
“Now I want to ride him too,” Tiffanie said. Essie nodded immediately.
“Oh, no! Watch him, Zander!” Sara called from the doorway.
“What is that beast doing!” an irate voice bellowed.
Essie watched Bubbles grab a second plump rose and snip the flower from the green stem. Zander pulled him away from the rose bed. Bubbles didn’t cooperate. The pony was determined to enjoy more blossoms.
Edmund floated over the pavers to save his prized flowers. “Get that scoundrel out of here!”
Doing her absolute best to not dissolve into giggles, Essie watched the ghostly figure throw himself between the pony’s nose and the bushes. As if Bubbles could see or feel Edmund’s presence, he reared back, dragging Zander a couple of feet away.
Cussing filled the air as Zander struggled to get the pony under control. Essie even learned new words and phrases. Finally, he pulled Bubbles out of the garden toward the pen where he’d stay. Edmund plopped himself on the raised wall and crossed his arms over his chest.
“That pony isn’t eating another of my prized roses. Over my dead body!” Edmund bellowed.
That was all she could take. Essie burst into delighted giggles. Edmund harrumphed at her. She wrapped her arms around her stomach as the laughter rolled through her. When Tiffanie joined her merriment, Essie pulled herself together enough to check where Tiffanie was looking. Thank goodness, her gaze wasn’t aimed at Edmund. What had amused Tiffanie?
Tracing her friend’s line of sight, Essie spotted Zander urging Bubbles into the fenced-in area. Unfortunately, the pony had chosen to poop. A strong smell drifted toward the women, turning their amusement to “Ewww!” Muffled curses followed as Zander finally penned the pony in place before stalking off. Several minutes later, he returned with a bucket and a shovel.
“You owe me big, Essie!” he called before scooping up the odorous poo.
“At least Bubbles went now instead of in the middle of the party?” Essie shouted, trying to stay positive.
“Damn pony,” Edmund muttered, holding his nose.
Debating whether ghosts had a sense of smell, Essie returned to her decorating. She was still grinning twenty minutes later when they finished.
“That’s the last balloon,” Ivan announced before lowering his voice. “I’m going to run Tiffanie home. She’s worn out.”
“Good idea,” Essie agreed with him. “I’ll thank her for coming to assist. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything you do, Ivan.”
“No problem. I appreciate the work. I’ll need tomorrow off to drive Tiffanie for her treatment,” Ivan told her.
“Of course. We couldn’t have planned that better. I don’t have any events tomorrow.”
Essie and Ivan walked to Tiffanie, who sat with her chin propped on one hand. Leaning down to hug her friend gently, Essie said, “Thank you for your help. You’re Ferguson’s Folly’s official bunting expert.”
“Wow. I should have a T-shirt made for that,” Tiffanie said softly. “Take pictures. I want to see if the pony tries to eat the roses again.”
“Never!” drifted their way, making Essie struggle not to react to Edmund’s shout.
“I’m sending good vibes with you to the doctor. When you’re recovered, would you brainstorm about a fairy ball? I need some ideas,” Essie asked.
“A fairy ball?” Tiffanie repeated with wide eyes. “I can’t wait to research that. I’ll get started tomorrow at the infusion center.”
Ivan nodded his appreciation. He understood Essie had deliberately given her something magical to think about as an escape. “I might even dress up for that one.”
“Oh! I could design dresses for us, Essie,” Tiffanie offered as Ivan helped her to her feet. As they walked away, Essie could hear her already envisioning magic. Essie smiled, happy Tiffanie would have a distraction.
Zander wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. “That will make this treatment more tolerable,” he predicted. “You’re crafty.”
“She’s been through so much.” Essie said, leaning against him. “I need to go shower and change before the party.”
“I should do that as well,” Zander agreed. “I’d suggest we conserve water and get cleaned up together, but I won’t rush when I get you naked.”
Essie swallowed hard at the thought of him taking his time. She forced herself to be brave. “Tonight, then?”
The desire banked in his blue eyes flared hotter. “It’s a date, Little girl. Come on, I’ll walk you to your room.”
An hour later, children dashed into the garden with brightly colored packages. Their excited voices and laughter brought a smile to the parents’ faces as they lined up to ride Bubbles. The pony withstood the barrage of noise and petting hands with serenity. Bubbles also kept his distance from the rose beds that Edmund prowled around. Smart pony.