The Cinderella List (19 page)

Marlo didn’t recognize the handwriting. The penmanship was feminine. She tore open the envelope. Jake leaned over her shoulder and they read it together.

She looked up. “I had no idea.”

“I didn’t either.” A soft smile graced Jake’s lips. “Sabrina’s always told me everything—until now. But you won her over.”

“You are a very tolerant man, Jake Hammond.”

“It comes with years of practice. First my father and his idiosyncrasies, then Sabrina and training unbroken horses, and now…” he hesitated “…there’s you.” He pointed at the box at her feet. “Open it. I’ve wanted to give this to you for a long time but never thought the time was right. You made it pretty clear that you didn’t want me around.”

“Shhh. I don’t want to talk about that anymore. When I back into things, I can’t see where I’m going. Like with you.”

She opened the box and her expression grew puzzled. It was a small, black plastic lump that resembled a tiny television with a cord. “What is it?”

“A navigating system for your car so you won’t get lost.”

She picked it up and a card fell out of the box. She laid the navigator on her lap and opened the card. This one was in Jake’s strong hand: “Here’s something to make your days a little easier, at least in the car. If you’d let me, I’d like to help you find your way through the rest of your life, as well—Jake.”

“It’s about time,” Marlo said softly, thinking of the List lying on the dresser in her bedroom. “I’ve been waiting for you forever.”

She couldn’t—didn’t want to—say more. She closed her eyes as Jake’s loving kiss touched her lips.

An
excellent
kisser. Check.

M
arlo turned slowly in front of the mirror, again checking her sophisticated, white silk dress. Its simplicity heightened the garment’s restrained elegance and was likely be the most restrained thing about the next few hours. Jake had insisted on a wedding celebration unlike any other, and with Lucy, Tildy and Franco’s help, Marlo thought they just might pull it off.

This wedding was definitely the most untraditional, the members of the Bridesmaid Club agreed, as they primped and preened in the women’s restroom facility in Hammond Stables’ indoor arena. Each attendant had chosen her own brightly colored garment, and Marlo felt as though she were surrounded by a cluster of beautiful flowers, each more rich and vibrant than the last.

“Ready, ladies?” Tildy poked her head into the room where the group had gathered. “Everybody is waiting.”

Obediently, they trooped into line and to the strains of Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” exited one by one into the wide-open space of the riding arena filled with people seated in white wooden chairs. Marlo, hanging back, peeked through the door at the scene of her wedding. The fence surrounding the riding
area was trimmed with sparkling white lights and miles of white netting. Lavish bouquets of flowers flanked both sides of the pastor’s podium, and a white carpet was being rolled down the aisle through the sandlike compound on the floor by two architects-turned-ushers from Jake’s firm. His friends in the wedding party were wearing tuxedos that were a little dusty at the hems, but no less elegant. Off to the side waited two restless white horses, hitched to a white carriage, waiting for their moment to carry the bride and groom to the reception hall.

She glanced at one section of chairs, those set aside for the families of children who rode in Jake’s program, and was gratified to see they were full. Many of the My Own Pony participants were in attendance. They were family to her and Jake now. Jake’s relatives, professional associates and friends had also come out in full force, as had almost everyone who had ever bought or sold a horse at Hammond Stables.

In the front row, her mother looked both pleased and confused. The arena was a far cry from where she’d expected her daughter to marry, and she didn’t take her eyes off Feather and Lovey, as the two horses meandered free in the arena. Not only beautiful and bomb-proof, the horses were also snoopy, and more than once had to be shooed away as they investigated the flowers and some of the guests. It wouldn’t seem right, Jake had said, to marry in the arena without any horses present, and Marlo had agreed. Still, she’d burst out laughing when she and Lucy drove to the ranch to find every horse in sight festooned with a wedding-white bridle with white carnations woven into the buckles.

Sabrina was with Randy, and the glow on the young man’s face was as bright as the one Marlo felt growing in her.
A time to love…
Then the only face she could see was Jake’s, suffused with happiness and anticipation.

As she stepped out and linked arms with her father to walk
down the aisle, she glanced at her bouquet where she’d placed a folded piece of paper among the roses. The Cinderella List would walk down the aisle with her today, and then be tucked away until she had a daughter of her own. When her daughter had questions about how her mother and father had met, she would bring it out and tell her the story of how she got her prince.

Dear Reader,

I think horses are some of the most beautiful and amazing creatures created by God. Intelligent, graceful and sensitive, it is no wonder they can be used as a means of therapy for the disabled as well as teamwork training, teaching and coaching. The Greek name for
horse
is
hippos
and
hippotherapy
means
treatment or therapy assisted by a horse.
I am trained and certified in equine-assisted psychotherapy and teaching so it was a special delight to create a hero who shares an interest of mine. Jake Hammond is a handsome, successful architect but his real passion is Hammond Stables, his family’s business. As a successful horse breeder, Jake wants to see the stable facility used for something more—as a venue for disabled children and therapists to meet and work.

Marlo Mayfield becomes a volunteer at the facility. Since childhood, Marlo and her sister, Jenny, have played a game they refer to as the Cinderella List, which inventories all the desirable qualities of a true Prince Charming. She believes Prince Charming doesn’t exist—until she meets Jake Hammond.

I hope you’ll enjoy compassionate, easygoing Jake, bighearted, quirky Marlo and the horses (and food) that bring them together. I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to write to me c/o Steeple Hill, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.

Warm wishes,

1. Marlo cheerfully accepts her imperfections, believing that because God made her (and He doesn’t make mistakes) that she is perfectly designed for the job God has for her. What is your attitude toward your own imperfections, limitations, foibles and idiosyncrasies?
   
2. Marlo persists in being pleasant to Sabrina and Randall even though they don’t necessarily reciprocate. Are there people in your life like that? How do you handle it? What is your motivation?
   
3. Consider the main characters. Who was your favorite? Why? Did you relate personally to any of them? Why?
   
4. After hearing the story of Cinderella as children, Marlo and Jenny play a game listing all the qualities they want in their own Prince Charmings. Have you ever made a mental list of the qualities you’d like in a mate? What are the most important to you?
   
5. Because of her own life experiences and disappointments, particularly concerning her first fiancé, Marlo made decisions that changed her behavior and ultimately the course of her life. What experiences have you had that have made you a different person?
   
6. Marlo is a free spirit who likes to have fun. Consider her beach party. Would you have a party similar to that one? Or are you more like Jake, who gives elegant, sophisticated parties? What would a party that expresses your personality be like?
   
7. Jake’s father is a bit of a curmudgeon but Jake is unfailingly polite and courteous to his dad, the epitome of the commandment to honor one’s father and mother. Have you spent much time around a parent or grandparent like Jake’s? How have you handled the situation? What works for you? What helps?
   
8. Because of a painful incident in her life, Marlo is very careful not to encourage Jake romantically. She believes he is involved with the beautiful Sabrina. How would you have handled Jake’s relationship with Sabrina if you were Marlo?
   
9. Marlo’s friend Angela is planning her upcoming wedding and insists everything has to be perfect, no matter what. Do you know anyone like this? What is the effect it has on people around them? What is there to be learned from this?
   
10. How does a friend like Lucy differ from a friend like Angela? Which kind of friend are you?
    
11. If you had seemingly unlimited funds like Jake and could spend it on anything that would help mankind, what would you do? Why would that be your choice?
    
12. Are you familiar with and comfortable around horses? If not, would you be willing to get on one of Jake’s bomb-proof variety? What must it be like for a child in a wheelchair who is never able to stand tall to get on the back of a horse that is fifteen hands high? What must go through his or her mind?