Page 2 of Once Upon an Enchanted Castle

“Because Idon’t,” she said, sounding angry.

Hilde thought she understood. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure her sister was still in the kitchen, then lowered her voice.

“Were you pushed?” she asked.

Marigold lifted her head, her blue eyes big and round. “How did you know?”

“Tell me what happened,” she said, instead of answering her question.

The girl settled down next to her again, plucking a stray string off the edge of her shirt. “The other girls are mean to me.”

That sent a pang right to heart. How could they be mean to her sweet Marigold? She wanted to have a few strong words with these girls, whoever they were.

“They pick on me and call me names. Why would they do that? I’ve done nothing to them,” she said and glowered.

“They’re jealous of you, my sweet girl.”

“But why?” She looked up at her again. Tears stood in her eyes. It was hard to see her hurting.

“Because you are…” She paused, trying to choose her words. Hilde wanted to do everything in her power to make Marigold understand those girls didn’t matter. They never would.

“I’m ugly, aren’t I?”

“Heavens, no!” she said on a shocked breath. “Marigold, you arefarfrom ugly. You’re smart and pretty and special. You have a kind soul. I wish you knew how special you were. That’s probably why they treat you that way.” It was the closest she came to telling her the truth.

She frowned. “I don’t feel special.”

Linnea returned carrying two steaming mugs. She handed one to Hilde, who took it, grateful for the warm brew. As she sat across from them, her cell phone rang. She answered it and a moment later, her face fell. News she didn’t want.

“There’s no one else?” Pause and then she said, “All right. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

When she hung up, she looked at the two of them.

“What is it?” Hilde asked.

“It was work. They need me to come in. Someone called in sick.”

“You go. I can stay here until you get back,” Hilde said.

“You don’t mind?” She glanced at Marigold, who said nothing.

“Not at all. We’ll be fine. Won’t we?”

Marigold nodded, a smile on her youthful face. “Auntie will take good care of me.”

She rose and headed for the front door, where she grabbed her coat and purse from the coat rack. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. There are some leftovers in the fridge if you get hungry.”

The front door opened and closed, and then she was gone.

“Do you want to tell me more about these mean girls?” Hilde asked.

She shook her head. “No. I don’t want to talk about them.” She scooted away from her, turning toward her. The light had returned to her face. “I want you to tell me a story.”

“A story?” Hilde grinned. “Haven’t you had enough stories?”

“Ineverhave enough stories. Tell me one,please. It will make me feel ever so much better.” She blinked her wide blue eyes at her, batting her lashes.

Hilde chuckled. The girl always knew how to get her way. How could she refuse?

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