Charmed and Dangerous: An Appalachian Magic Novel (Appalachian Magic Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

lightening danced in the clouds just over the mountains.
    He questioned his sanity for venturing out in this weather. He was a fool hoping to run into the hot chick he spotted yesterday. If she had any sense, she would be home in bed. Besides, once he saw her up close he was bound to be disappointed. Nothing could match that angelic vision in person. Still, she might be interesting enough to pursue for a time. He craved new company and a change from the rut his life had become.
    “Come on, boy,” he called out to his dog. Sin was a full-blooded beagle getting along in dog years, but still able to enjoy a long walk. Sin looked up from his sniffing and digging and obediently came to James’s side with a wag of his tail.
    Distant thunder made him pause in his tracks, but he shrugged and moved on. He was almost there anyway. As he neared the bluff, he caught site of a patch of orange among the brown and gray trees. Quietly, he moved forward for a better look and discovered how wrong he’d been.
    The hot chick was devastating. Her hair blew wildly in the wind, like rays of warmed honey in the gray winter cold, making him want to wrap his body in its warmth.
    Something about this girl was special.
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    T he hike wasn’t such a hot idea. Callie shuddered and huddled deeper into the blanket wrapped around shoulders. It wasn’t enough protection in a winter storm. The sky darkened by the minute until it looked more like a deep dusk than a dawn. Even with her unusually high cold threshold, this was too much cold to bear. A shame, since storms created an energetic atmosphere more receptive to magic.
    Frustrated, she gave up on the idea of working magic and turned to hike back down the mountain. An extra strong gust of wind blew her hat off, and her hair spilled loose. Just great. It would be a tangled mess in no time. Suddenly, she stopped, sensing a presence. Just as she had yesterday morning. Only now it was closer, much closer.
    Could it be her father? Maybe they were right, and he was an evil person out to get her. She didn’t move but listened and scanned the trees as thunder gathered in volume and the first drop of rain hit her numbed face.
    Callie looked behind at the steep drop down the cliff. She had to go forward and face the unknown danger. There was no retreat. Hugging the plaid blanket tightly around her shoulders, she stepped toward the path. An unmistakable sound of twigs breaking beneath the feet of someone, or some thing , pierced the air. She hardly knew which to hope for—beast or human. Before she could formulate a plan, a tall, attractive guy stepped out of the woods.
    Although he was a good twenty feet away, the strength of his energy blocked her movement. She’d never encountered such a tangible force field. She searched his face in a panic, which quickly changed to awe. Dark brown eyes bore into her and rooted her to the spot. She was relieved to see he looked as startled as she felt.
    “Who are you?” In an attempt to disguise her lingering apprehension, her voice came out loud and belligerent.
    “James.” He crossed the distance between them. “James MacLauren. Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    Callie couldn’t stop staring into his eyes. They were like warm chocolate with topaz specks—mesmerizing. He stood well over six feet tall, and she gazed up at him, openly displaying her admiration. Her fear of physical danger passed, replaced by a fear of looking like an idiot. She blushed. “I’m Callie Bradford.”
    “Callie.” Her name lingered on his lips, his deep voice vibrating with warmth. “Are you new here? I’m certain I’ve never seen you before.”
    His dog threw back his head and howled.
    Callie knelt and held out her hand for the dog to sniff. “What’s your dog’s name?”
    “Sin.”
    “Sin?” She looked up questioningly.
    “Yeah, as in, ugly as Sin .”
    “He’s a cutie.” She laughed as Sin licked her hand.
    “You should have seen him when I first found him