Page 1 of Giddy Up, Daddy

Cowboy Magic

By Laylah Roberts

Chapter One

“Now the brilliant, brave Blakely will attempt to free herself from the ropes of doom. Ta-da!” Blakely tugged at the piece of rope in her hand.

And nothing happened.

When she pulled on the rope, the whole thing was meant to fall off and free her.

So why wasn’t it working?

She pulled again. Was it her imagination or was the rope around her getting tighter?

No, no, no!

“Oh! Witches and wizards!” she cried as she jumped around. The rope was secured around her torso, over her bottom, and around the tops of her thighs.

Not good. Really not good.

She glanced over at her audience for help, but they just gaped at her in horror.

“Well, don’t just sit there, help!” she cried.

Not one of them moved.

Well. Wasn’t that just lovely? She’d always helped them when they needed it. When Mr. Whiskers lost an eye, who had sewn it back on?

She had. That’s who.

And when Mrs. Flopsy’s dress had a rip in it, who mended it?

She did.

And what thanks did she get? They just sat there and watched her flail around like an idiot.

What was that smell?

No time for strange smells, Blakely! You have to get out of the ropes.

“That’s it! No Christmas presents for you,” she threatened as she attempted to free her arm.

“Why did I have to tie it all the way around me? I’m not even that good at tying knots. I can’t tie my shoelaces properly and yet here I am trussed up like a turkey on Thanksgiving with no way to get free!”

Okay, she was really starting to panic now.

Her breathing grew choppy as she broke out into a sweat.

Got to get free.

What was that smell?

Hmm, it smelled like . . .

“Smoke!” she screamed.

An alarm suddenly blasted through the small apartment.

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