by Deanna Chase
“Looks like I might’ve interrupted a little something, huh? No matter. That’s one way to get your mind off the pain.” The nurse laughed to herself and handed the bag to Rhys. “There are instructions for physical therapy, a salve for the ankle, and herbs for the pain. Make sure you take the herbs two or three times a day as needed until the pain subsides.”
“Okay,” Hanna said, thankful her breathing was back under control. “Thanks.”
She pulled the wheelchair around and looked at Rhys. “Can you help your girlfriend into the chair and meet me out in the lobby? I’m going to find some crutches.”
Hanna half expected Rhys to correct her on the girlfriend assumption, but he just nodded. “Sure. No problem.”
As the nurse left the room, Rhys looked at her. “Ready to go?”
“Yep. How should we do this?” She started to scoot to the end of the exam table, but Rhys just scooped her up as if she weighed nothing. “Whoa. Okay. I know you carried me to your Jeep, but I could’ve hopped on one foot to the chair.”
“Nah. I’ve got you.” He smiled down at her and positioned them so that all she had to do was put her good foot on the floor and then ease down into the chair. “See,” he said, supporting her weight as she leaned back and sat down. “Perfect. I think we make a good team.”
“I think you were doing all the work,” Hanna said.
“You’ll be there for me next time.” He placed the bag in her lap and then wheeled her out of the room.
“You’re right. I will.” That warmth came rushing back and even though Hanna’s ankle was still making her grit her teeth, she was having a hard time being upset about it.
Just as they were about to roll through the glass doors, Healer Snow walked in.
“Hanna!” the healer exclaimed. “What happened? Nothing serious I hope?”
Hanna winced. “The ground jumped up and bit me. Just a sprained ankle. I’ll survive.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Snow nodded and eyed the bandage. “Did they give you the salve that helps it heal faster?”
“They sure did.” Hanna held up the bag. “And some herbs.”
“Perfect.” The healer pursed her lips as if in thought. “Anything else?”
“No. Why?”
A smile broke out over her pretty face, reaching her wide dark eyes. “Good. If you were on anything else, it might be a conflict. But if you don’t have to take anything else, we should be good.”
“Good for what?” Rhys asked.
“Healer Snow is working on a cure for the autoimmune disease that Charlotte had,” Hanna said, referring to the disease that took her sister. It was a relatively rare condition that only affected about one percent of witches, but there’d been a slight uptick in the past ten years. Healer Snow had recently made it her mission to try to find a cure. “Since I share her DNA and carry the same gene, my blood is a good candidate for the trials.”
Snow glanced over at him and smiled. “Hey, Rhys. Good to see you. How are you feeling?”
“Fine.” His tone was clipped and a little guarded. Then he turned to Hanna, his eyes darker than normal and his mouth tight. “What do you mean a carrier for the same gene?”
Healer Snow put a soft hand on his arm. “Maybe this isn’t the right place to discuss this?”
“No, it’s fine,” Hanna said, frowning up at Rhys. “It just means the autoimmune disease is dormant. I don’t have any of her symptoms and I’m completely fine, but some day that could change. I’ve been doing these trials for the last year. Can’t hurt, right?”
“You have the same gene?” Rhys asked again as if he was having trouble understanding.
“Yeah,” Hanna said. “That can’t be a surprise. She was my sister.”
“I… right,” he said, straightening his shoulders. “Of course. I just never considered...” He shook his head. “Sorry. That just took me by surprise.”
Hanna patted his hand. “It’s okay, adventure boy. I’m fine. Perfectly healthy, other than the ankle, and that isn’t life threatening.”
Rhys held her gaze for a long moment, as if trying to make sure she was telling him the whole truth. Finally, he nodded. “Good.”
Healer Snow was staring at him with her eyebrows pinched together. “Rhys? Can I talk to you for a moment?”
He stiffened, and Hanna fully expected him to question why she wanted to talk, but he just nodded and followed her over to a deserted corner. Healer Snow pressed a hand to his wrist and started to count to herself. Hanna had experienced the same routine every time she came in for a checkup or a trial. It was the healer’s way of checking energy levels. The fact that she was checking Rhys made Hanna nervous. Why would she do that now? What was going on?
Hanna fretted as she watched them talk, and once they were done, Healer Snow pulled out her prescription pad, scribbled something, and handed it to Rhys. He started to make his way toward Hanna, but Snow put her hand on his arm and stopped him again.
Eventually Rhys nodded, shoved the prescription in his pocket, and then had the nerve to paste a fake smile on as he approached Hanna.
“What was that about?” she asked.
Rhys pushed her chair toward the door. “She thought my energy levels seemed low. I have a prescription for some herbs that are supposed to boost my immunity or something.”
Hanna craned her neck to look at him. “Are you a patient of hers?”
He didn’t answer as he rolled her outside.
“Rhys?”
He stopped at the passenger side of his Jeep and opened the door. When he turned to her, he said, “Healer Snow was my dad’s doctor.”
“Oh.” All of Hanna’s irritation and suspicion fled. She knew how close Rhys had been with his dad and just how devastated he’d been when his father had suddenly passed when Rhys was only fourteen years old. That experience was likely the reason that he’d been the only one who’d known what she needed after they lost Charlotte. “I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about, Hanna,” he said softly. “Now raise your arms so I can get you into this Jeep.”
“I know.” She lifted her arms in the air. “I just don’t like seeing you sad.”
He picked her up, cradling her against his chest. “I’m not sad, pretty girl. It’s just been quite the morning. Ready to go home and get some lunch?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in, giving him a kiss on his cheek. “Yes. And if I forgot to say so, thanks for being here for me. You’ve made it almost bearable.”
“Anytime, Muffin. You know that.” He gently set her in the Jeep and helped her prop her foot up. Then he buckled her in and took her home.
Chapter Nine
Faith Townsend stared down at Hanna’s ankle, her hands hovering just over the swollen flesh. They were at Faith’s spa, and Hanna was there for a massage, but before they got started, she’d asked Faith if there was anything she could do to help her ankle heal faster. “Probably.” Faith said. “But are you sure you want me to try this? I’m still not entirely sure what happened that day in the hospital with my dad. I just… I don’t know, provided an outlet for his pain?”
A few months earlier, Faith’s father had suffered a serious respiratory infection while recovering from chemotherapy and was in the hospital. Faith, as a water witch, didn’t have the ability to craft herbs or potions the way her sister Abby did, but she was able to manipulate fluid, and whatever she’d done that day in her father’s hospital room, everyone had sworn she’d helped to speed up his healing.
“Just try,” Hanna said, trying not to beg. She was fed up with everyone babying her. “If I have to sit on the stool one more day and watch Candy use the wrong measuring cup for my scones, I’m going to scream.”
“That bad, huh? What happened to Rhys?” Faith asked. “I thought you said he offered to help.”
“He did. Actually, he came by on Monday, but I sent him away.” When he’d dropped her off at home on Sunday afternoon, he’d been di
stant, like he was lost in his own thoughts. And instead of kissing her goodbye, he’d just squeezed her hand and said he’d see her in the morning. It had been a pretty major letdown after their make-out session in the exam room. She knew then he’d regretted his actions and didn’t want a situation where he needed to let her down easy again. “Candy was there, and I told him he could go. He already has a job. He doesn’t need to be doing mine.”
Faith stared at her friend, looking exasperated. “Seriously?”
Hanna threw her hands up. “What do you want me to do, Faith? Let him hang out in my café and torture me with the ‘friend’ talk again?”
Faith pulled a stool over to the massage table and sat down next to Hanna. “Is that what he said? Even after the kiss on Sunday at the hospital?” After Hanna reluctantly cancelled her date with Chad, she’d called Faith Sunday night and filled her in on all the gory details.
“No, but that was coming. If it wasn’t, he’d have called by now.” Hanna laid back on the table, rested her arm over her eyes, and blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall. “I know he’s attracted to me, but for some reason, he’s dead set against dating me. I can’t take it anymore, Faith. It’s torture. So I sent him away.”
“Oh, Hanna,” Faith said. “I’m sorry, honey.”
Hanna sucked in a stabilizing breath and sat up. “I know. I just have to let this go. It’s not going to happen, and expecting it to is just killing me. So I’ve made a decision.”
Faith raised her eyebrows. “Please tell me you’re going to let Chad take you out on a real date.”
Hanna gave her a tight smile. “No. We had a date for Sunday, but I canceled after I hurt my ankle. But now, I think it’s just a bad idea to reschedule. I can’t do that to him. He already knows Rhys and I have this weird thing. It’s not fair to drag him into the middle of it.”
“Oh.” Faith slumped. “That’s too bad. He’s hot.”
“You can say that again,” Hanna said with a laugh. “I’m giving up Rhys. No more pining, no more letting him intrude on my thoughts. And I’m going to join one of those dating sites, see how it goes. Find a rebound guy or something.”
Faith frowned at her. “How exactly is that different from dating Chad?”
Hanna shrugged. “Chad isn’t a rebound guy. He’s the type you take home to meet the parents. He’s charming, talented, and really, really hot. Definitely not a rebound guy.”
Chuckling, Faith nodded. “Yeah. I see your point.” She stood and rubbed her hands together. “Okay, I’m going to see what I can do with this foot, and then after that you’re going to let me help you with your online dating profile.”
“Sure. Why not?”
“I’m going to step out while you get under the sheet,” Faith said. “Just toss the robe over onto the chair.”
“Please. You don’t have to leave. How many times have you seen me change my clothes in my lifetime? Just stand here so I can use your shoulder for balance as I get under this sheet.”
“So much for being professional,” Faith said with a wink. “But the customer is always, right, I guess.”
“Quoted for truth,” Hanna said, grinning at her as she hauled herself up onto her good leg, and dropped the robe. A few moments later, she managed to squirm her way under the sheet, but ended up on her back instead of her stomach. “You’ll need to work on the ankle first. If I turn over, I’m going to have to hang my foot off the table.”
“I’m on it,” Faith said. “Just relax.”
“I’m trying to relax,” Hanna said, slightly exasperated. “Why do you think I came here?”
They bantered back and forth for the next twenty minutes while Faith lightly trailed her fingers over Hanna’s foot. Her touch was warm and slightly tingly. Hanna had been prepared for the treatment to hurt, but instead it actually felt good. Hanna could’ve laid there the rest of the afternoon, luxuriating in the experience.
“Can I try something?” Faith asked.
“Hmm? Sure,” Hanna said.
“Don’t you want to know what I’m going to do?”
“I trust you.” Hanna was floating. Faith hadn’t even started massaging yet, and already her tension was fading away. She felt Faith lift her foot and gently poke at the sore areas. Only they hurt less than they used to, and Hanna didn’t even flinch.
“Good,” Faith said. “How does this feel?” She gently rotated Hanna’s ankle, testing the movement.
“Wow.” Hanna sucked in a long breath. “It’s stiff, but it doesn’t hurt.”
“Excellent!” Faith repeated the motion a few times and then tucked her foot back under the sheet. “Okay, now that we’re done with that, I want to ask you a favor.”
Hanna opened her eyes and peered at her friend. “You have me in a compromising position.”
Faith gave her an evil grin. “I know. That’s the beauty of it. If you were a paying customer…”
“What is it?” Hanna asked with a chuckle.
“Would you mind if I let a possible new hire massage you as part of her interview process?”
“She’s here now?”
“Yep.” Faith sat back down on the stool. “You remember the one who looked good on paper?”
Hanna nodded.
“Okay, so she came in today, and she’s cool. About a year of experience, but I don’t know. I just got a vibe that I can’t put my finger on. I don’t know what to make of it.”
“A bad vibe? A creepy vibe?” Hanna asked.
“No. I don’t…” She shook her head. “It’s not necessarily bad, I just need a second opinion. If she has great hands and you think she’s cool, then I think I’ll hire her, but if not…”
“I get it. Sure. Send her in.”
“You’re the best.” Faith leaned down and gave her a quick hug.”
“I’m naked under here,” Hanna said dryly.
“So what? You’re the one who doesn’t care if I see you naked.” She smirked and bounced out.
Hanna lifted her foot and gently rotated it. There was no pain, not a lot of resistance either. “Whoa,” she whispered. Talk about magical hands. She had no idea how Faith had done it, but her foot had gone from a swollen, achy mess to something that she might even be able to hobble around on.
There was a soft knock at the door. “Hanna?” a sweet voice called.
“Yep. I’m ready.”
The door popped open and a honey-blond woman with a heart-shaped face strolled in. She looked to be in her early-twenties, slender, with big green eyes and a smile that lit up the room. “Good afternoon, Hanna. I’m Luna. Is there anything I need to know before we get started?”
Hanna told her to be careful of her ankle, but other than that, she was good to go.
“Do you mind if I touch the bruised areas? I just want to get a feel for how bad it is, see if there’s anything I can do to help.”
“I guess so. But be careful. I just don’t want to injure it again,” Hanna said.
“No, we definitely don’t want that. I’ll be gentle.” The therapist gently pressed her hand to the ankle, and Hanna knew she was in good hands. The woman’s touch produced the same warmth and tingles she’d experienced with Faith. Maybe, just maybe, by the end of the session her ankle would be as good as new.
“Well?” Faith asked. “I’m dying to find out how it went.”
Hanna was sitting out on the luxurious patio Hunter had built behind the spa, sipping a glass of wine. She’d somehow managed to get dressed after the massage, but going anywhere else was out of the question. Every muscle had turned to jelly in the best possible way. “It was glorious. If you don’t hire her, I will.”
Faith laughed. “What are you going to do with a massage therapist at the café?”
“Chair massages? I don’t know. Something. Those hands are magic.” Hanna lifted her foot and started to write the alphabet exactly as she’d been instructed by Healer Snow. “Look. My range of motion is incredible. I think it might be better than before I spra
ined it.”
Faith rolled her eyes. “You know that was me, right?”
“And her,” Hanna insisted. “She did something very similar. I swear, Faith, she finished what you started.”
“Really? Now that’s interesting.” Faith peered at her friend. “What did you think of her vibe? Did you like her?”
“Are you kidding? I love her. She reminds me of a cross of you and Abby. Or at least the version of Abby since she married Clay. I swear, that woman has so much joy. It should be illegal to smile that much.”
Faith was silent as she mulled that over. “Huh. I think you’re right. She has the drive to take chances—she’s doing that by moving to Keating Hollow, but she has that angel face that everyone loves, too, just like Abby.” She frowned and rubbed at her forehead. “I just don’t understand why I’m hesitating.”
“Because you’re afraid the clients will like her better?” Hanna said with a tilted smile.
“No,” Faith said far too quickly.
Hanna gave her a reassuring glance. “Of course not, babe. I was just teasing. Relax. She’s great, and now this magical place can have not one, but two amazing therapists. Embrace it.”
Faith chewed on her bottom lip. “You really think she’s cool?”
“Yes,” Hanna said. “Hire her or else I’m finding a new masseuse.”
“All right, fine. I’ll do it.” Faith threw her hands up in mock defeat. “I guess if my best friend gives her two solid thumbs-up, then that’s a sign.”
Hanna balled her hands into fists and gave Faith a cheesy grin as she flipped her thumbs up, just to be a pain. “You won’t regret it. And think of the long lunches you can take with Hunter while Zoey is at school.”
Faith rolled her eyes, but Hanna didn’t miss the secret smile tugging at her lips. But when she noticed Hanna staring at her, Faith cleared her throat. “So, about that dating profile…”
Chapter Ten
The predawn light filtered in through the café’s front window while Hanna leaned on one of her crutches, waiting for the mixer to do its thing. She gazed at the lobby space and contemplated what sort of display she might put together to liven the place up. During special events, like Halloween, her mother and father worked together to spell the coat rack, making it act as a butler of sorts that entertained patrons with its antics.