Enchanted, A Paranormal Romance / Fantasy (Forever Charmed) (21 page)

while ago that contained a secret that’s been buried in the trunk for hundreds of years. Buried in time, essentially. A lot of people feel that Mary Nasson was falsely accused of witchcraft and was executed needlessly, but no one could prove it until now. The papers contained proof.”

“Yeah, this isn’t a joke. So my Nana wanted to right the situation and Mary’s name even though it’s been centuries. So she brought the papers and Mary’s story to her friend…Doris Carter. Have you heard of her?”

“Everyone around here has heard of Doris,” Steve laughed.

“Well Doris is writing a three part article on Mary for her column. The first part is going to be about Mary, the second will be about her grave and the letters, and the third part is unfortunately going to be about my Nana and possibly Lucas’s father.”

“Why Lucas’s father? How’s he figure into all this?”

“Lucas’s father just so happens to be a descendent of the doctor that wrote the letter…” Mandy grimaced and looked at Steve.

“God, Mandy, have you talked to Lucas about this? Do you know how he’s taking it? I mean, this could leave a sour taste in town about Lucas’s dad and their restaurant.”

“I know, and I tried to tell my grandma that, but she was eminent that if she was going to tell the story, she was going to tell the whole story. The thing is, Lucas’s dad can refuse to be interviewed by Doris all he wants. But you know Doris. If he refuses she will still go ahead and include him in the article, if only by name. And that will be enough.” Mandy stared at the book of flowers silently as did Steve.

Steve broke the silence first. “Well, it seems like there’s nothing you really can do to stop it. It’s not like you or your grandma have done anything wrong. You’ve only told the truth, and brought to light facts that will clear up an innocent person’s name. Even though Mary is long gone, she still deserves this. I think you’ve done the right thing. Nana too.” Steve smiled at Mandy.

“I don’t know. I have a bad feeling about this. Once people read about Nana in the last article I can only imagine things might get a little crazy. I mean, like I said, she’s never advertised her skills. Once they’re out in the open, what if people start expecting her to do crazy things for them? And I also can’t help but worry about myself. People will make the connection between me and Nana. I’ll probably be a social outcast at school,” Mandy frowned.

“Nah. Nana’s lived in this town her whole life and has lifelong friends here. They wouldn’t take advantage of Nana like that. And as for social outcast, I should think once word gets out it might actually have the opposite effect on you.”

“What do you mean?” Mandy asked nervously.

“Think about it. No one else can claim abilities like that around here. You’ll be like a rare diamond. People will be fascinated by you.” Steve gave a half smile.

“I don’t know about that. Besides I don’t want either way to happen. I don’t want to be an outcast, but I don’t want to be fascinating either! I just want things to continue on how they are now.” Mandy moaned.

“Well when’s the first article due to come out?”

“Friday.”

“So, you’ve got a couple of days. Maybe longer. You said the article’s going to be published in three parts, with Nana’s out last, right? So you’ve got a couple of weeks. I wouldn’t worry about it anyway. I bet it will be fine.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I usually am. I was right about the first day of school wasn’t I? And you pretty much had convinced yourself that it was the end of the world,” Steve laughed.

“You don’t have to be, you know. If it’s too much, too crazy, I’d understand,” Mandy said, hoping that he wouldn’t take her up on this offer.

“What would be too crazy would be being away from you. I want to be in this with you,” Steve said seriously. He leaned over and kissed Mandy on the lips gently.

“Ok, we’ve got some studying to do, I think.”

“Flowers, schmowers,” Mandy mumbled and pushed the book off the bed. She leaned forward and kissed Steve like she meant it, losing herself in the moment and letting her head go completely empty except for Steve.

* * *

Chapter 21

Thursday afternoon and evening Mandy was a restless sea of emotions. She tried to focus on anything other than the first of the three impending articles that was to be released tomorrow, but nothing kept her attention. She tried to drown herself in her schoolwork, the book of flowers, music, all to no avail. Her mind kept wandering down What If Boulevard with unpleasant thoughts in tow. Finally she could take it no longer and she picked up the phone to call Steve.

“Fine, you’re right. I’m a ball of nerves over here. I’ve been trying not to think about it but it’s like going around and around in my head of its own accord. I don’t know what to do!” Mandy practically wailed.

“Ok, first off, calm down! Like I’ve said before, it’s going to be fine,” Steve sounded reassuring. “Do you want to meet in town for a while?”

“All right. See you in a few,” Mandy said hanging up the receiver. She grabbed her keys from the foot of the bed and headed to the door of her bedroom and down the stairs, hoping she could just slip out unnoticed.
Of course not
. As she got to the bottom of the stairs she could see her dad had taken up residence for the evening in the big flowered chair adjacent to the fireplace, which unfortunately meant he had a perfect vantage point of the front door.

“Yeah, I know, but I wanted some of that gourmet stuff. Like cinnamon or jalapeno, something different. I won’t be gone long,” Mandy wheedled.

“Well, all right, but just to get your popcorn and then back, all right? It’ll be dark before too long and you’ve got to get up in the morning,” Mandy’s mom relented.

“Great idea, Mandster. Great minds think alike!” He grinned at her, taking her sarcasm for truth. Mandy gave a tight smile, trying to control the urge to scowl. She made it out the door and got into the car, driving to the short distance to town on auto-pilot. She wasn’t aware of what song was playing or what she passed. She parked, mindlessly dropped coins into the meter and headed over to Bill and Bob’s.

As Mandy got closer she could see that the benches were empty except for Steve and one other older couple sitting nearby. The old man had his arm around the old lady and they appeared to just be passing the time people watching. “Hey!” Steve called happily. “You managed to break out eh?”

The old people did a double take at Mandy as she approached. Mandy laughed. “Yeah, wasn’t so easy though.”

Steve winked at Mandy. “How’d you bust out?” The old man stood up pulling his elderly wife to her feet in a swift motion. He began to hustle her down the street away from the benches, his arm protectively around her. Mandy tried to stifle her laughter.

“It’s a long story. Basically I lied to the guards and made a run for it!” Mandy said laughing. The two old people threw a look over their shoulders at Mandy and Steve and moved faster away from them. Steve threw back his head and laughed loudly and dramatically for effect. Mandy kind of felt bad laughing at the old folk, but she had to admit it was funny and a welcome relief from the worries that had been tormenting her all day.

“Well, c’mon. Can’t go home empty handed when we’ve supposedly just suffered from these intense popcorn cravings!” Steve pulled Mandy to her feet and they walked down to the popcorn store. Mandy didn’t usually buy popcorn here. She had to admit that she normally agreed with her mom on the matter, usually Jiffy Pop sufficed as good as any. Plus she hated feeling like she was getting ripped off and the price for a bag of popcorn in that place was ridiculous. However she followed Steve into the store anyway, breathing in a million different smells all at once.

“I think I’m feeling more of a nuts and chocolate mix…Ooh, look, an Almond Joy mix. That will work,” he grabbed a bag off another shelf and led Mandy up to the counter to pay. “My treat,” Steve said, taking Mandy’s bag from her.

“You don’t have to,” Mandy started.

“I want to,” Steve said simply and paid before she could protest anymore. They walked towards the door to the store swinging their hands between them. As Mandy stepped out onto the sidewalk behind Steve she heard a noise that made the fine hairs on her arms prick straight up. It was a loud cackling noise, and it was all too familiar. She looked across the street to see Ophelia standing in front of her store front, mouth open and unleashing the horrible noise. Steve was staring in bewilderment. “Your hero!” Ophelia called, pointing her knobby taloned finger in Steve’s direction. Ophelia laughed gleefully.

Steve pulled his eyes away from Ophelia and looked down at Mandy. “Do you know her?” he asked incredulously. “Is she talking to us?” Mandy shook her head, but before she could answer Ophelia began to call something else to them.

“It’s happening. The ball’s in motion. The events must be replayed in our time in order to truly set Mary free. And remember, if all else fails, he will rescue you like a true knight on a shining stead!” Ophelia crossed her arms in front of herself, as if firm in her statement.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Maybe you’ve got the wrong guy,” Steve called back.

Ophelia cackled some more but instead of answering merely shook her head. Her little dog, Bobo, pulled on the lead he was attached to, trying to break free and yipping in excitement.

“C’mon,” Mandy said, pulling on Steve to try to make him move. Steve’s feet seemed glued to the spot. “C’mon, Steve!”

Steve finally stumbled forward a bit, clearly not wanting to look away from Ophelia’s gaze, but giving into Mandy’s impatient pulls. They began walking forward, Mandy heaving a sigh of relief. “What was that about?” Steve asked, looking confused at Mandy.