Page 16 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

“No.” Her smile wavered just a little. “My grandparents are still around, but of course they’re much older. They couldn’t keep up with the farm anymore, and my parents lived in the suburbs, so they sold it. Now they live in a chic condo by the beach.”

“But you still miss it.”

She could almost smell the hearty coffee her grandma brewed at precisely 4:00 a.m. every morning. “Yeah.”

He jerked his head to the tent. “Let’s go.”

The heavy scent of animals, hay and nature swirled as they entered the spacious tent.

Cattle, horses and chickens ran, pranced and waddled, creating a scene straight from a children’s storybook.

The loose hay shifted under her feet as she strolled to a playful horse straining at its gate to see her.

“Hey girl.” She leaned over the wooden fence and caressed the animal. It neighed happily.

Alexander leaned against a pole. “She likes you.”

Her grin widened. “You think?”

“Would you like some carrots?” A young girl with red hair, freckles and overalls two sizes too big offered. “This is Maisie, and she’s a flirt.” The girl giggled as she rubbed the horse’s flank. When she stopped, the horse tossed its head, demanding more. The girl happily complied.

Everleigh accepted the crisp, orange vegetable. “Thank you.”

Alexander nodded in satisfaction as the girl left to share more carrots. “She loves those animals. Her family takes good care of them.”

“And they should.” The horse neighed appreciatively as Everleigh fed it the carrot. “It’s our responsibility to care for all the creatures of the Earth.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Everleigh delighted in the friendly horse for a few minutes more, then moved to the filly in the next stall. The same girl returned, carrying a basket of squeaking yellow chicks. “Would you like to hold one?”

“Sure.” Everleigh held out her hands, and the girl carefully placed a sunshine ball of fluff in her palms. The tiny creature wiggled mightily in her grip, tickling her palm with its dewy softness.

“Want one?” The little girl beamed at Alexander.

“No, thank you.”

“Are you scared of a little chick?” Everleigh teased, softly bumping into him. “Afraid you won’t be able to charm it?”

His eyes danced with bemusement. “I charm everyone, remember?” He reached into the basket, and suddenly the chicks stopped squawking and wiggling. Everleigh stared as two chicks calmly walked into his hand. He lifted them, even as they remained perfectly still, content in his large hand.

“I can’t believe it.”

“Believe what?”

“You actually charmed them. Ow!” Her little chick, apparently feeling not so charmed, pecked at her hand. Then it took a flying leap… straight into Alexander’s hand. “What the–”

“I’ve never seen them act this way.” The girl gaped at Alexander. “They really like you.”

“I guess I can charm anybody.” Alexander winked at Everleigh.

She stuck her tongue out at him.

He laughed. “Thank you.” He held out his hand, and the chicks walked back into the basket, as if disembarking from a cruise. She almost expected them to turn around and give him a wings up.

Everleigh took the lead as they strolled away from the charmed chicks. “You are extraordinary.”

“Just because I charm chicks?”

“No. Because you charm–” She clamped her mouth shut, but it was too late.

“You?” His eyes twinkled. “Were you going to say I charmed you?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Really? Because right now you seem pretty charmed.”

“You could charm a python before you’d charm me.”

“There’s one in the reptiles tent–”

“No!”

This time, they both laughed.

They wandered through the aisles, admiring handsome roosters, preening peacocks and snow white bunnies.

Like with the chicks, Alexander showed an uncanny connection with the animals, even though he’d spent little time with Earth’s tiny creatures.

They finished their tour and approached the exit, when Alexander suddenly halted. His expression darkened.

Everleigh’s breath caught. When he was charming, it was easy to forget the authority he wielded. Right now, he was pure power. “Is everything okay?” she asked in a low voice.

He didn’t answer, instead turning back toward the horses. He stared at one in the back, a thin and skittish foal hugging the wall.

Everleigh frowned. “She looks sick.”

“It’s not the horse that’s sick,” Alexander growled. He slowly scanned the area, stopping on a teenager with black spikey hair, a ripped shirt and a sharp grimace.

Alexander walked to the boy. “Come here.”

The boy looked ready to rebel, yet after a brief hesitation, he obeyed the command.

“Your family owns that horse?”

The boy nodded curtly.

“Get your dad.”

The boy appeared about to refuse, but at Alexander’s hard glare, he drew back. “Yes, sir.” He ran off.

Everleigh bit her lip. “What are you doing?” she whispered.

Alexander didn’t answer as the boy’s father, identifiable as a bigger, meaner version of the boy, emerged from a back room.

He was very large, although not quite as big as Alexander, with the same scowl as his son.

He hesitated slightly at the sight of the businessman.

“Hey, aren’t you that bigwig? What do you want? ”

Alexander pierced the man with the blade of his gaze. “I want to know why you abuse these animals.”

Everleigh bit back a gasp, as the man’s eyes bulged. “What did you say?”

Alexander stepped forward, and suddenly the danger increased a thousandfold. His power came from more than physical strength, its origin stronger, deeper. The ruffian’s scowl faltered. “I asked why you abuse your animals.”

“We don’t abuse our animals.” Yet the man’s voice cracked with the lie, as he glanced away.

Alexander moved forward. “That’s not what I see. That animal has been neglected and beaten. Do you always hurt those who are weaker than you?” When the man didn’t respond, Alexander drew himself taller. “I see.”

“I didn’t say yes!” the man growled.

Alexander glared, and the ruffian all but withered. “You have no proof,” he whined.

“I can find it.”

Everleigh stood perfectly still. Alexander was calm, cool and calculating in getting his way with her, but with the man, he was ruthless, dominant, unstoppable . Now it was clear how he got what he wanted.

What would happen if he focused that power on her?

“I’m going to buy your farm.”

“What?” The man stumbled back. “You can’t do that. It’s not for sale.”

“I don’t care.” Alexander moved closer. “You abused that horse, and now I can see you abuse all your animals.”

“Why you–” the man snarled. He pulled his arm back…

“I wouldn’t if I were you.”

The words were low, and yet filled with undeniable power. The man froze in fear.

“You should consider yourself lucky. I could make one phone call and you’d be in jail. Instead I’m giving you a chance. You sell the farm and promise to never hurt animals again. And just to make sure you’re truly reformed, you’re going to become an activist against animal cruelty.”

The man paled. “Are you serious?”

“You disagree, and I’m calling my friends in the government. You have thirty seconds to decide.”

The man turned as red as the prize-winning tomatoes in the produce tent. “You can’t do that.”

“I can do whatever I want.” Alexander challenged. “No animal deserves to be whipped until its half-dead.”

Everleigh gasped, as the man’s jaw went slack. “How’d you know about that?” Then as if realizing what he’d just admitted, he clamped his mouth shut.

“Fifteen seconds.”

“They’re just dumb creatures! They don’t even feel emotion.”

“They have more emotion than you.” Alexander’s voice was deadly. “Whether or not you take my deal, your days of torturing animals are over.” Alexander reached into his pocket and retrieved his phone. “Five, four, three, two–”

“Okay, okay!” Sweat dripped off the man, soaking his shirt, as he held up two beefy arms. “I agree.”

“Excellent. My lawyer will call to arrange everything. Until then, treat these animals as if they were your own children. If I hear about you abusing one more creature, you go straight to jail.”

Blue veins bulging out of his head, the man nodded curtly.

Alexander sent a quick text to his lawyer, and without a word more, grasped her hand. She didn’t resist as he led her out of the tent, and into the bright sunshine. When she finally regained her ability to talk, she spun around. “You just bought a farm.”

“Yes,” he agreed mildly.

“But you can’t just buy a farm.”

“Why not?”

“It just isn’t done.”

“It is now.” His expression darkened. “You wouldn’t believe how he treated those poor animals.”

Water pricked at her eyes, and she blinked. The mere thought of those sweet animals abused… She breathed deeply, calmed herself. How could Alexander ascertain so much from a single ailing horse? “How did you know?”

He hesitated. “Didn’t you see the horse?”

“Of course, but I thought he was just sick. How could you know about the abuse?”

His hooded gaze revealed no secrets. “I had a hunch.”

She shook her head. This time, he wouldn’t get away with non-explanations. “That’s not a hunch, that’s specific. And you didn’t even ask for his information.” She stepped closer. “How do you do these things? And don’t tell me you have your ways.”

The muscles under her hand tightened. “I’m good at reading people.”

Another non-explanation. “I still don’t understand why you bought the farm. Why didn’t you just call the police and send the man to jail?”

“Because that would’ve only been temporary.

” He straightened. “He would’ve gone to prison for a short time, then emerged angrier and meaner, with no one but the animals to vent his anger.

That man needs to stay away from animals.

I could demand he sell it to another responsible party, but it seemed like you could use a farm. ”

Everleigh halted. “You bought the farm for me?”

“Weren’t you just talking about how you missed the country?” He lifted his shoulder. “Now you have a farm.”

The logic of a billionaire. “You don’t just buy someone a farm!”

“Why not?” He smiled. “It’s much longer lasting than roses.”

Everleigh rubbed her forehead. “I can’t believe I’m having a conversation. Of course, I can’t accept it.”

Challenge flashed, and no doubt, by this time tomorrow she would own a farm. How could she argue with a man who just saved a farm full of animals?

Yet despite his assertions, logic couldn’t explain his knowledge. With every passing moment, the mystery behind Alexander Stone deepened.