Beauty and the Beach Read Free

don’t want you to get too excited, because it’s only on loan. If you aren’t home at midnight, then this will turn you into a pumpkin.”
    “Glass slippers?” teased Courtney as she plucked the box from his hands, growing excitement on her face. “Izzy, oh my gosh, it’s from Wilder’s!” She cautiously opened the box and gasped. “Oh. My. Gosh.” She glanced up. “Dad, how did you get this? It’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life! Izzy, look at this!” She turned the box around, cradling it like something precious.
    Isabelle saw why. Her own breath caught, even as her stomach sank as she gazed at the beautiful necklace. The golden, star-shaped pendant glittered with oblong rubies, teardrop diamonds, and square cut sapphires.
    Dad was grinning. “It’s called The Starfire.”
    “The Starfire,” Courtney said reverently as she turned the box slowly. The light from above caught the jewels and the entire piece seemed to sparkle and shine, a live thing showing off for its audience. Courtney’s mouth curved into a smile. “I’ll be the most blinged-out girl at the prom.”
    Isabelle wished she could share her sister’s excitement, but her stomach was starting to ache. “Dad, are you allowed to borrow jewelry from your store?”
    He shrugged. “I’m the manager now, so it’s fine. We’ll have it back first thing in the morning and no one will be the wiser.”
    “But--”
    “Don’t worry, Izzy. I like being able to provide pretty things for my girls. Even if they are only just for one night.”
    “Dad, hurry.” Courtney handed him the box. “Help me put this on before Daniel gets here.” She took off the scarf she’d admired earlier and let it flutter to the floor as Dad took the necklace out of the box, lifted it over Courtney’s head, and clasped it around her neck.
    Courtney moved to stare into the mirror, mesmerized, and Isabelle couldn’t blame her. The necklace was amazing, shimmering against Courtney’s skin, the brilliant stones glowing with life.
    In a fast movement, Courtney turned and threw her arms around Dad’s neck. “It’s fantastic, Dad. Just fantastic. Thank you.”
    Isabelle wanted to protest, but with her sister so excited, with the two of them hugging and, for once, showing some solidarity, she just couldn’t get herself to do it. That didn’t mean she wasn’t worried. Courtney might be a genius at schoolwork, but she certainly wasn’t known for her common sense. To let her out of the house wearing what looked like a fortune in jewels scared Isabelle half to death.
    There were so many warnings Isabelle longed to give, but instead she said, “Just don’t lose it.”
    Courtney rolled her eyes and placed her fingers against the jewels. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”
    Isabelle turned away, unable to look at the necklace for another moment. “Come on, let’s go outside and get some pictures before your date gets here.”
    On the front lawn, Courtney posed in the sunshine as Isabelle snapped pictures, both of Courtney alone, and also with Dad.
    “Wow, you look like a princess.”
    Isabelle turned to see Rosie, the eight-year-old girl who lived two doors down, her eyes wide as she studied Courtney.
    “Thanks, Rosie.” Courtney dipped into a curtsy.
    “My cat just had babies.”
    “Really?” said Isabelle. “I’ll have to come over and see them sometime.”
    “Me, too,” said Courtney.
    “Okay. But Queenie is sort of a meanie around her kittens, so you’ll have to be careful so she doesn’t scratch you.”
    “I’m going back inside,” said Courtney. “I don’t want to get caught posing when Daniel gets here. See you, Rosie.”
    A few minutes later, Isabelle waved goodbye to Rosie. “Tell your mother I said hello.” She made her way back to the bedroom she shared with Courtney. She watched as her sister positioned her curls around her neck and admired herself, and the necklace, in the mirror.
    The doorbell rang.
    “He’s