Ignite (Cloverleigh Farms #6)(95)

“Where?” asked Luna.

“To see Winnie.” I grabbed my keys. “And we have to hurry.”

“Yay!” Both girls cheered as we hustled back into the garage and got in the car.

“Do either of you two know where Winnie’s parents live?” I asked.

“Hmm,” said Hallie. “Somewhere by that horse barn?”

“Maybe they live at the bakery,” Luna suggested.

I pulled over and made a desperate phone call to Chip.

“Hello?”

“Thank God you answered.”

“Dex? You okay?”

“Yes, but I need a favor. I’m really sorry to bother you so late, but I need to know Winnie’s parents’ address.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I have to see her tonight. I promise to explain when I can, but I really need that address.”

“Okay. We’re at Tyler and April’s, so I can ask. Give me a minute and I’ll text it to you.”

“Thanks, man. I owe you.”

The wait seemed endless. Every fiber of my being was radiating with nervous energy. My leg bounced. My thumbs tapped the wheel. My stomach tied itself in knots.

“What’s the big emergency?” asked Hallie.

“I have to tell her I was wrong about something. But she won’t want to talk to me.”

“So how will you get her to listen?” Luna asked.

“Good question.” I looked at them in the back seat. “What would the ogre say to Princess Minnie to get her to forgive him?”

“Well, he has to rescue her cat,” Hallie pointed out. “And to do that he would have to face his fear of heights.”

“Okay, but let’s say he’s ready to do that,” I said impatiently. “Let’s say he’s ready to face his fear, climb the tree, and rescue the cat. What does he tell her?”

Hallie tapped a finger on her lips. “He’d fall to his knees and apologize for being a jerk. He’d explain that he was only scared before but he’s going to be brave for her—like a knight. Then he’d rescue the cat and ask for another chance to be her friend. Because that’s what the ogre really wants—a friend.”

“Girls,” I said. “I have to tell you something serious.”

“Is it that you’re in love with Winnie?” Hallie asked. “Because we already know that.”

I stared at them in disbelief. “You do?”

“Yes, we made it happen,” said Luna triumphantly. “With our noses.”

“What?”

“Winnie taught us how to cast magic spells,” Hallie explained.

“It worked for the cat.” Luna shrugged. “So we figured it might work on you guys. Although we weren’t supposed to say anything about it. Even Winnie doesn’t know.” She turned to Hallie. “Do you think we messed it up? What if it only worked on Daddy and not Winnie?”

Hallie shook her head. “We did it the same way for both. She has to love him.”

I was still staring at them in disbelief when my phone lit up with a text from Chip. “So you’re okay with it?”

“Duh,” Hallie said. “We love Winnie. And she makes you less grumpy.” Then she turned to Luna. “But I think we might need to cast another spell to get her to move back here.”

“I might be able to help with that.” I glanced at the address on my screen, typed it into my GPS, and hit the gas. “I’m at least going to try.”

The MacAllisters lived on a narrow side street lined with two-story brick homes and shallow front lawns. When I pulled up in their driveway, the house was dark. I took out my phone, praying she was still awake—I didn’t want to ring the doorbell, but I would.

“There aren’t any lights on, Daddy.” Luna sounded worried. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m texting her to see if she’ll come out.”

Winnie, I need to talk to you. Please.

Nothing.

I have things I need to say to you, and I don’t want to do it over text.





Silence.

I’m parked outside your parents’ house, and if you don’t answer, I’m going to knock on the door and wake everyone up.





Do NOT do that.





Adrenaline surged—she was awake!

Then come out and talk to me.

I don’t want to see you, Dex.

That only makes it worse.





Give me a chance, Winnie. One chance.

Hear me out.

If I give you a chance,

you could hurt me again.





Then open your window, because I have something to say to you and I can’t hold it in any longer.





Fueled by love and the fear of losing her, I jumped out from behind the wheel and ran onto the MacAllisters’ front lawn. Behind me, I heard the girls getting out of the car too. I glanced over my shoulder and saw them huddled against the passenger door, watching with rapt attention.

“Stay there,” I told them. Clinging to each other, they nodded.

“This is so exciting,” Luna said.

“I know,” Hallie agreed. “It’s even better than Mom’s wedding.”