Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 122550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Dear Lord. Were they really discussing her snot color?
“I figured,” Ace said with a sad sigh. “Girls never do much that’s interesting.”
“I wouldn’t say that is true,” Regent said, winking at her.
Had he ever winked before? She gaped at him.
Was this a sign of the new Regent? Did she really want him to change? Well, only if he wanted to. And she kind of thought he might be happier if he left some of what his father taught him behind.
“Well, Jilly was pretty good on that hoverboard, before you yelled at her and made her fall.”
Regent winced. “I did do that, didn’t I?”
“It’s okay,” she said.
“Jardin said you were just worried about her and that’s why you yelled. Not because you cared about that old vase. But if it costs lots, well, I’ve been saving to go to Disney World and you can have that money. ‘Cause I’m the one that was using the hoverboard inside when I know I’m not supposed to, and then I let Jilly use it, and she might not have known. Plus, I don’t want her to be in trouble. So, do you want the money? I have like a hundred and twelve dollars saved.”
Jilly could feel the tears forming. She blinked, trying to keep them back, knowing how Ace felt about tears. But they slid down her cheeks.
“Oh no, she’s crying. Jilly! You’re not good at keeping your promise.”
“These are happy tears.”
Ace sighed and shook his head. “Girls. Always crying. Am I right?”
Regent bit his lip as he shook against her. Was he trying not to laugh.
“Uh, Ace, I don’t believe you should say that about girls.”
Ace sighed. “I know. So, Uncle Reggie, do you want my Disney World money? You didn’t yell too much at Jilly, did you?”
“He didn’t yell at me at all, Ace. Everything is fine.”
“It is,” Regent said. “And keep your money, Ace. The broken vase was entirely my fault.”
“But Jardin said I have to take responsibility when I mess up, and I wasn’t supposed to be riding the hoverboard inside because you still have some of those ugly vases and statues and stuff. Even though you got rid of most of them.”
“I put away all of the ones that meant something. I’m not really worried if the rest get broken.”
“So can we ride the hoverboard inside?” Ace asked.
“Sure. As long as you have the correct protective gear on.”
“Yes!” Ace pumped his fist into the air. “You hear that, Jilly? Maybe you need to ask Santa for your own one and we can have races.”
“No races,” Regent said firmly.
“Darn it. Oh well. It will still be fun.” Ace smiled at her and she grinned back. “I mean so long as you don’t cry when you fall over.”
“I won’t.”
“Uh-huh.”
Thea called Ace’s name and he perked up. “Um, gotta go. And I was never here.” He held his finger to his lips.
Jilly shook her head. “I don’t know whether to be amused or terrified by him.”
“Both,” Regent said. “He’s going to take over the world one day.”
She couldn’t believe he’d been willing to give up his Disney money for her.
“New rules,” Regent said.
Uh-oh.
“No going on the hoverboard.”
Her shoulders slumped.
“Without protective gear. And mats laid out for you to safely land on. I want to be with you the first few times.”
“Does Ace need mats?”
“Ace is a young boy. They bounce, they don’t break.”
That was actually true.
“Next rule. No being anyone other than Jilly.”
“I can agree to that. As long as you don’t try to change for me either.”
He shook his head. “Not just for you. For me as well.” Regent cupped her face between his hands. “Next rule. Communication. I will try to tell you more often how I’m feeling. And what I need. If I need privacy to work or if I need you around. And you will tell me when I’m not giving you what you need. I will need your help to change. All right?”
“I will. I can do that.”
“And the last rule, I want you to read what you want to read. And to write whatever you want. Because there is no way that you could ever disappoint me.” That last part was said sternly and she swallowed heavily.
“Am I in trouble for that?”
“Oh, yes.”
“My butt already hurts, though.” She pouted.
“Hmm. That is true. But that’s not what your punishment is going to be.”
Uh-oh.
A knock on the door had her glancing over in surprise. Then Lottie stuck her head into the room. “Can I come in?”
“Of course, darling,” Regent said.
She tried to get off his lap again. But he wasn’t having it.
“I just wanted to check that Jilly was all right,” Lottie said with concern, watching them both closely.
“I’m fine. Just a bit embarrassed.”
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Lottie told her. “And don’t be concerned about that vase. I’ve never liked it. I’m pretty sure everyone was hoping Ace or Keir might run into it.”