Princess in Disguise by E. D. Baker Page B

turned him into a wolf and they’ve been looking for him ever since. He thought he and Rose Red would live here until things calm down a bit.”
    â€œI’m glad he did,” said Annie. “Otherwise we’d be facing those men right now.”

    It wasn’t a very long walk to Harper’s Village, but it was a pretty one. They passed through a grove of trees festooned with lacy white flowers and walked alongside a sparkling stream that tumbled down a small waterfall where they were able to refill the water skin and let Otis drink. A flock of bright red birds flew past them, startling Otis, but otherwise it was a very pleasant walk.
    Before they entered the village, they saw at least three streets running parallel to one another and all of them looked busy. Annie was surprised that the village was so large. “This could almost be called a town,” she told Liam as they walked down the main street, leading Otis. “Look at all the shops!”
    â€œWe’re just here to find the butcher’s son and talk to Moonbeam,” said Liam. “We don’t have timefor anything else. Once we ask Moonbeam to go to Treecrest, we’re going to go see my father.”
    â€œI know,” said Annie, although she looked longingly at the inn they were passing. The smell of roasting beef was almost enough to make her stop.
    A short time later, they walked by a cobbler who was working on a bench outside his shop, taking advantage of the good weather. “Pardon me,” Annie said as she stopped in front of him, “but do you know where we can find Jamesey Dunlop?”
    â€œNever heard of him,” the man replied, looking annoyed.
    â€œWe need to ask someone else,” Annie told Liam as they walked away. “Someone less surly.”
    â€œGertrude said that her brother started his own shop, so we should look for a butcher. It shouldn’t be too hard. The village isn’t
that
big.”
    The aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from a bakery slowed Annie’s steps. “Is it my imagination, or does this village smell better than most?” she asked, taking another deep breath.
    â€œYou’re hungry and that bread does smell good. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to get something to eat,” said Liam.
    He hadn’t finished his sentence before Annie was opening the door to the bakery. It was warm and even more fragrant inside. A girl in a white cap and apron was helping customers while two other people worked inthe back, taking bread out of a huge brick oven and decorating a pastry shaped like a swan. There were three people in line to buy bread ahead of Annie. She fidgeted, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as the shopgirl waited on the other customers. When it was finally her turn, Annie looked at the girl more closely. “Gloria! I didn’t recognize you without your red hood.”
    â€œDo I know you?” Gloria asked, peering at Annie. “Wait, you’re one of the people who scared the wolf out of Granny’s house! What are you doing in Harper’s Village?”
    â€œLooking for someone,” said Annie. “Do you know where I can find Jamesey Dunlop’s butcher shop?”
    â€œDo I ever! He married my cousin and I work there some days when I’m not working here. I’d take you there myself, but I can’t leave the bakery now. His shop is located on the next street over. Go to the corner and turn left. His shop is on the opposite side of the street. Harper’s Village has grown a lot lately, and that’s where the newest shops are.”
    â€œIt looks like a prosperous village,” said Annie.
    â€œOh, it is! I have a big family and they’ve all stayed here, and lots of other people have started moving here as well. I love Harper’s Village! Everyone knows everyone else.”
    â€œReally? I asked a cobbler if he knew where I could find Jamesey Dunlop and he said he didn’t