Chicory Up: The Pixie Chronicles Read Online Free PDF Page A

want you to soak your hand in antiseptic,” he said for the benefit of his mother.
    “Does she need to see a doctor?” Juliet asked, still fussing with things at the sink. “Not that Thistle can afford to see a doctor. We really need to find her a good job with benefits, or at least enough work so that she can afford to buy insurance. Without the good insurance your father has from the school district, Dusty’s cancer would have bankrupted us. You know if we could get your sister declared handicapped, she could stay on our insurance. The coverage the county gives her for the museum job isn’t worth the premiums.”
    “Chase has good insurance through the police union.” Dick grabbed Thistle’s hand and dragged her up the back stairs before Juliet could deny that Dusty would ever actually go through with the wedding.
    “She’s just like old Foxglove,” Thistle whispered on a giggle to Dick when they reached the upstairs hall. “Can’t believe any of the little ones could possibly grow up and not need her anymore.”
    “That about sums it up.” Dick ducked into the bathroom, still holding Thistle’s hand.
    She had to admit his touch made her feel all warm and cuddly, powerful enough to do anything she wanted to, yet very willing to melt into his arms and let him take away her worries and care.
    He ran water into the sink and fished around beneath it for a bottle of something that smelled sharp and acidic. Not for a second did he let go of her hand.
    Thistle wrinkled her nose. “Do I really need to soak in that? Wouldn’t a little honey and a bandage work just as well?”
    “Maybe for a Pixie. Honey does have certain antibioticproperties. So do some spiderwebs. But this I
know
will work for a human body.” Gently, Dick guided her wounded hand into the basin of water.
    Thistle jerked it out again. “That’s hot. And it stings.”
    “A little discomfort now will save a whole passel of trouble later.” He pushed her hand back into the water and held it down with both of his hands.
    Thistle squirmed until the water cooled a bit.
    “Dick, what did you mean back in the kitchen when you said… when you said that I could have you if I had to give up Pixie?” She inched closer to him. His sweaty body smelled healthy and alive—as well as little rank—but that was as natural as the stubble on his face, a shade darker than his tawny blond hair.
    “Thistle, you have to know that I’ve been in love with you since I was fourteen and you kissed me. My first kiss,” he said softly, turning his head away.
    “I know.” With her free hand she turned his chin back to face her.
    “And… and….” He looked away again.
    She rose up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.
    “Don’t do that,” he ground out.
    “Why?”
    “Because it makes me… because I only want to kiss you more and once I start, I might not stop.”
    “What’s wrong with that?”
    “Thistle, I won’t pretend I haven’t had several partners, starting with Sandy Langford and moving on to Phelma Jo Nelson and… more than a few others before I realized you are the only woman I truly want. When you and I make love, we will make a commitment. Sex for me, now, is a commitment, not a game.” He gulped.
    “I know.”
    “Thistle, what if the spell breaks and you suddenly become a Pixie again? Will you choose to go back to The Ten Acre Wood and a near immortal and carefree life? Or will you choose me?”
    Something deep inside Thistle broke. “Dick, I honestly don’t know which choice I’d make. I love you. I have since the first time you befriended me when you were five.”
    “I saved you from Phelma Jo putting you in a canning jar with a wolf spider.” They both grinned. “And I saved you from Chase gluing your wings together with dog drool.”
    “You were special then and you still are. But I love Pixie. I loved being a Pixie. Yet there is trouble brewing, and I don’t know the beginning or the end. I have commitments to my people.”
    “I