I snuggled with Skipper in bed, I woke up feeling horrible this morning so Cooper had taken the day off to tae care of things around the house. He came in with Jessica who was smiling and holding something up. "look Mother, I got a fish!" she held out the bag for me to see the goldfish. "what's his name?" I asked. "Not him, her. And her name is Angel," jessica smiled adroingly. "Coopers eyestwinkled and smiled. "Come on Jess lets go put her inher new bowl," he smiled and they walked out. I sighed Cooper was a great dad I thought. it felt werid though being amother. For one I knew how mindy felt and she had three kids. I sighed and was thankful Jessica would be old enough to help with little things around home and maybe the horses.
I walked into the living room Jessica was smiling brightly watcingher fish. "look she likes her nw ome!" she giggled. I laughed. "Where did Cooper go?" I asked. "That weird man came over Cooper opened it and then they shut the door," jessica said looking at me her eyes were bright and she was smiling. "Will Ig et to go to school?" she asked. "Would you want to?" I asked. "I've always had to, but I don'tlike it," she said. "Well, maybe schoool would be a good idea, let's try it okay?" I asked. she nodded andclimbed down frothe bar stool. I sighed and wen tot he door and listend carefull there was nothing but silence. I loked through the peep hole and couldn't see anything. i unlocke d the door nd then peeked nobody was there. I sighed and shut the door. Compromising with myself I decided if Cooper wasn't back in twnety minutes I'd go to my mother's house and that's where I would most safe.
Twety minutes later Cooper hadn't returned. "I put some clothes and stuff in abg and packed some of jessica's thngs, and grabbed the dogs and left. "My fish!" "He'll live,' i said i took her hand and walked out to my car. Nicander was smiling and leaning against my silver honda which glittered chorme in the bright sunset. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "Oh well I'm sorry is this your car?" he asked. I nodded. I opene dte back seat and Jessicaclimbed in. "Seatbelt," I rubbed my stomach tiredly feeling really crappy and wanting to rol over and die right now. I pushed Nicander out of my way. i put the dogs in the front. Skipped curle dun while Missy took her old familar placein my spot. i shut the passenger door and turned and faced Nicander. "Wher eis cooper?" i asked My head was dizzy with fear, and sickness. "He;s gone," nicander whispered. He pushed my hair out of my face, but it was useless because the breeze blew it back. Nicander just go away! i don't like you! Stay away from me!" I begged. I pushhed him off me and got in my car and sped off.
i arrivedat my mothers tear drenched. I wiped m eyes and put on a brave face. I unloadedmy car and then knocked on their door. Surprisingly my parents were home and they opened the door with smiling faces. "wew ere wondering when you'd come here," My mom smiled. Jessica peeked from bhnd me. "Oh and who is your friend?' my mother asked taking y cat. "This is my step daughter Jessica, Cooper and I are adopting her," I explained. m other smiled sweetly. "Well Jessica may I take your coat?" Jessica nodde dnad handed mom her coat. "cooper's here darlin didn't mention a little girl," Bob smiled. "Well we've had alot on our mnds," i said missy and Skipper trotted insde and walked aorund the nw place. i rushe dover and hugged Cooper. "are you okay?" cooper kisse dme lips. I hugge dhim toight. 'why didn't you come back?" I asked. "he threatened e that if I didn't leave he'd make our lives miserbale," he siad. i gasped and smiled in front of my mom. "What's wron children?" "Nothing," I said. Cooper nodded. '"Mommy, what about angel?" she whispered. i frwond. "we forgot her fish,' I whispered to Cooper. "you go, he wouldn't hurt you seriously,' cooper said. It was true unfortuantely he could harass me and that was it. i nodded and walked back out to my car. and drove t Ever green.
nicander wasn't around when I got back so I walke d insidethe apartment. i put Angel in her bag and then in the car I check on the horses they were both fine i smiled nad gave Rebel akiss. "Be careful,' I smile dhe ncered. And then I kissed Phantom and hurrie dot leave Scarlet a note to watc out for my hrses i'd be at my mothers. I slipped it in her mail box and then trotted ou tto my car . I looked aorund it was in its place and nobody was i sigh. I got in and check ed everything nithing was out of place. I dorve bac k to my mom's.

I sighed heavily as I read Emily's note. This Nicander guy had to go. If Evergreen wasn't safe, then where was? I crumpled the note and headed to the stables. I checked Phantom's food schedule and took note of what to feed him when. Then I headed to Storm's stall. I slipped a halter over his face and lead him out to the circle ring.
"Let's have a good work out, okay?" I suggested to Storm as I closed the gate behind us. I loosened the lead shank and began coaxing Storm along. He walked for several laps and then I encouraged him into a steady trot. The squeak of the metal gates pierced right through both Storm's and my concentration.
"Ah, Scarlet..." it was Nicander.
"A delight to see you this afternoon, Nic," I said calmly.
"You wouldn't happen to know where my Emily is would you?" he drawled.
"'Your' Emily?" I repeated, in disbelief. "She left."
"Where to?" he persisted.
"She moved. Clean out of the district," I responded, feeling stupid that I was lying.
"Why are her horses still here?" he asked.
"She left them with me... she didn't want to take them. She figured they were too much of a hassle to bring along," I said slowly.
"Okay... then this note has no relevance whatsoever?" he said slyly, holding up the crumpled note that Emily had left me.
"You went through my trash?!?!" I cried. Storm snorted, sensing my angst.
"It's my business, don't you think?" he inquired.
"No!" I snapped, and grabbed the note out of his hands.
"Well, I'll see you later," Nic said, "After I've visited the in-laws." He turned and left.
I almost died. He was, by far the creepiest person I'd ever met... why did he want Emily so bad? For God's sake, she has Cooper already! Get over it...
I put Storm in the paddock, apologing for having to cut things so short, and ran to my office to call Emily and warn her. Then, the police...

-Scarlet