Enchanted, A Paranormal Romance / Fantasy (Forever Charmed) Read Online Free PDF Page B

and “accidentally” get a flesh wound that might warrant a few stitches and then she would have to stay in and recover.
    As she was trying to decide which option was most viable, Mandy was distracted by the tingling of bells on the door. “Well, well, you must be little Mandy!” said a cheerful looking man. The gentleman’s cheeks were pink as if someone had been pinching them, and his balding head was practically glowing as if he had shined it especially.
    Mandy smiled at him. “Yes, that’s me, little Mandy.”
    “Oh, but I beg your forgiveness. You aren’t so little anymore now are you? You must be, what? Sixteen?”
    “Seventeen.”
    “How time flies. I remember seeing you as just a little child. I suppose you don’t remember me. It’s been too long. Hank Hickle. You can call me Hank.” Hank winked at Mandy as a lopsided grin lit up his round face.
    “Ok, Hank. Can I get you anything?”
    “Oh, yes. I came here for some flowers, of course. Is your grandmother in?” Hanks eyes darted around the shop, searching for Nana.
    “She’s in the back. If it’s something out of the refrigerated section I can get it out for you, or if you’re looking for a specific bouquet you would like to have put together I can write it down and let Nana know.”
    “Well, then. What I am looking for is something special for someone special.” Hank lowered his voice at this and leaned in over the counter towards Mandy. “Your grandmother will know what I mean if you tell her I would like some yellow daisies.” Hank winked again at Mandy. She wondered if he had a nervous twitch.
    “Ok, yellow daisies it is,” Mandy repeated.
    “Hush, child! No need to shout about my business!”
    Mandy looked at him with confusion plainly written on her face, but the customer was always right. “Okay, I’ll just go let Nana know you are looking for yellow daisies and I’ll be right back,” she whispered.
    The lopsided grin reappeared on Hank’s face and he laughed a quiet, nervous laugh, all the while his eyes scanning about the store. Just then the bell rang again behind Hank, causing him to jump and spin around like his life depended on it. Note to self, these town people are crazy! Mandy thought. A boy with short, dark brown hair calmly entered the store, eyeing Hank wearily. “Hey, Hank. How’s it going?” the boy asked casually.
    “Oh, Lucas. Good to see you my lad! Tell your father I say hello, will you?” With that Hank turned his back on Lucas. Lucas raised his eyebrows at Hank’s back and then met Mandy’s gaze. His eyes were a muddled shade of green, like the color of a lake midsummer. Mandy felt the blush creeping into her face and spreading down to her neck, embarrassed to be caught staring.
    “Um, sorry, I’ll be with you in a second,” Mandy squeaked out. She turned and fled into the safety of the back of the store, glad to be on Hank’s errand. Ally was waiting for her just out of sight.
    “Lucas got to you, right?” Ally giggled.
    “Lucas? Oh, that guy. No, actually it was that other guy, Hank. He’s kind of creeping me out.”
    “He doesn’t mean any harm. He’s just like that. We all think he likes to pretend he’s on a secret mission when he’s really just getting some harmless flowers. Probably going senile or something,” grinned Ally. “But, seriously, did you not catch a glimpse of Lucas?”
    Oh I caught a glimpse all right, and I’d like another , Mandy thought to herself. “Yeah, I mean I saw him waiting out there. So what?” she said to Ally.
    “So what? So he’s beautiful is all! You must be immune to his powers,” laughed Ally. “Wish I was…”
    “Powers? What do you mean?”
    “He’s hot! But be forewarned, he’s off limits. His dad owns the Golden Rod. They’ve got money, and he’s not allowed to affiliate with us nobody’s,” Mandy snickered.
    “Okay…so what’s he doing in here?”
    “He’s his dad’s gopher. Does all his errands for him and gets a hefty