Page 6 of Save a Wish

A Vermont map was under glass atop the desk. I ran my index finger along it with my eyes closed then stopped when felt guided to do so. I’d been working on listening to my inner guidance for a few years now. Secretly, of course, but I enjoyed meditating and grounding exercises and yoga and spending time in nature. I didn’t get to do any of those activities nearly enough because they were considered foolish in Verdalach, but perhaps now was my chance.

I opened my eyes and looked down at the map. My fingertip had landed on a placed called Greenridge. Green reminded me of the rolling hills that surrounded the palace back home in Verdalach.

“Greenridge,” I told the man behind the desk.

Ten minutes later, I sat in the back seat of a sturdy-looking vehicle, zooming along a stretch of roadway that offered a stunning view of the colorful trees and the surrounding mountains. Luckily the driver wasn’t conversational and I was allowed to enjoy the ride in peace.

Well, as much peace as a person who had fled her home, taken on a new identity, and had no idea what her future held could experience.

“So this is the main drag of Greenridge,” the driver finally said. “Where did you want to be dropped off specifically, miss?”

Specifically, I had no destination, but that would be odd to admit, wouldn’t it?

“Right here is fine.” I’d figure something out. I’d have to.

The driver gave me an odd look in the mirror, but he pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and got out. I met him at the back where he retrieved my suitcase. I paid him for his services then watched him drive away.

I, Sadie Rodgers, formerly Princess Aislinn Síomóin of Verdalach, had made it safely to Vermont.

What came next was anyone’s guess.

Chapter Three

Beckett

The vacuum cleaner rattled as it picked up popcorn kernels in the couch cushions. I loved Amelia, but she could be a sloppy eater.

That wasn’t a fair statement actually because I’d been tickling her while she’d been holding the bowl of popcorn. No wonder a few kernels had made their way overboard.

Fortunately, that was the only cleanup I needed to do after babysitting Amelia last night. She’d been content with watching musicals and dancing around my living room so we hadn’t made a mess of the entire house.

I was tired though because my niece had unlimited energy. She never slowed down.

“Kick higher, Uncle Beckett!” she’d squealed as she’d led me in some crazy dance routine I was pretty sure she’d made up on the spot.

“I’m kicking as high as I can, Amelia!” And I was a limber guy. She should have been impressed. “I’ll bet your other uncles can’t kick this high.”

Amelia had paused in her own dancing to regard me as I front kicked like the best of the Rockettes.

“You might be tied with Uncle Logan,” she’d said. “And his kicks are bouncier.”

She’d gone back to her own kicking dance move, but I’d collapsed onto the couch.

“That’s because Uncle Logan is part kangaroo,” I’d said.

Amelia had erupted into a fit of giggles and she’d thrown herself atop me on the couch. She wiggled around for a few moments then looped her arms around my neck, her smile huge and her black curls a wild mess about her adorable face.

“I think you’re part robot!” Her laughter had echoed off the walls, making me laugh too.

“Bee-boop-beep.” I’d slid her to the cushion beside me and rose slowly, mechanically, to my feet. I’d moved my arms up and down like a robot would and marched back and forth in front of the couch. “Boop-boop-beeeep.”

Giggling, Amelia had joined me and we robot-danced around the living room until the song in the musical on the TV changed. She had then announced we needed to dance like giraffes.

Whatever that meant.

All in all, we’d had a fun night and I’d once again secured my title of Most Fun Babysitter.

Even if my kicks hadn’t been high enough.