Free Enchanted, A Paranormal Romance / Fantasy (Forever Charmed) by Rachel Wells Page B

mind was beginning to spin again, but she had latched on to one word her grandmother said that seemed to be a door to more information. “We?” Mandy asked.
    “We, as in the other healers and I,” Nana said quietly.
    “Other… healers,” Mandy choked out.
    “Yes dear, I’m not the only one, you know. It’s inherited, usually. But there are other ways.”
    “Wait. Nana, what are you saying? You are a healer, or a white witch, and there are others?” Mandy was shaking her head, not quite believing this conversation was actually happening.
    “Yes, Dear. Actually I’m quite surprised you made it this long without noticing or hearing!” Nana’s eyes crinkled up in that familiar way again as she laughed quietly. Mandy just stared at her grandmother. She was pretty sure her mouth was open but for some reason didn’t feel the need to close it. “Mandy, didn’t you wonder what made your parents move so suddenly up here when you’ve lived in Boston your whole life?”
    “Dad got a job offer…my parents like it up here…you live here…they said it was time we lived closer because we’re family…” Mandy stuttered.
    “Well, those things are all true. But there’s one more reason, Mandy. You’re not a little girl anymore. You’re practically grown. It’s time you learned the gift.”
    “The gift?”
    “Healing, dear. It’s what we do.”
    “You keep saying we.”
    “I told you, it’s an inherited trait. It’s in you, waiting for you to awaken it. It’s in your mother, as well.”
    “My mom ?! She’ll never believe you!”
    Nana chuckled again, only this time the sound of Nana’s laughter was beginning to grate on Mandy’s nerves. What kind of demented game was Nana playing here? “My darling, she not only believes, but knows and utilizes her skills!”
    “What? Nana, you’re talking like a crazy person!” Mandy was beginning to feel more and more agitated. Maybe Nana has finally lost it , she told herself.
    “No, Nana hasn’t lost it just yet, Love,” Nana’s laughter was growing. Mandy stared at her grandmother, shocked and not knowing what to believe or what to say. She couldn’t even be sure she was following this conversation correctly. It seemed like something from one of her dreams. “That’s all right, Sweetie. Take some time to mull it over, to let it sink in. You’ll come around. When you do, come talk to me. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of questions that will need answering. Now, c’mon, go unlock the doors for me. It’s time to open up for business!” Nana smiled at Mandy as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
    Mandy had to force her legs to move. She felt as if she could have stood there in a daze, staring at the wall all day long. The next hour passed in a blur. Mandy felt like she couldn’t focus on anything but she didn’t care. She went about her duties robotically, answering the phone, doling out change, greeting customers without thinking about what she was doing. The words white witch and healer kept clunking around in Mandy’s brain. She was getting a headache and wished it would go away.
    During a lull in the shop while Mandy was staring into space for about the tenth time that day, Ally finally couldn’t take it anymore. “What’s your deal today, Mandy? You’ve got like a vacant sign posted where your eyes should be.”
    “Huh? Oh, I’ve got a killer headache, that’s all.”
    “Why don’t you ask your grandma if you can go early?”
    Just then Mandy’s grandmother walked in behind the counter. “Ask grandma what?”
    “Um…” Mandy began.
    “Mandy’s got a headache. I told her she should ask you if she could leave early,” Ally interrupted.
    “Well why didn’t you say something, Dear? Of course you can go if you’re not feeling well,” Nana nodded.
    “Well, if you don’t mind,” Mandy said.
    “Of course not!”
    Mandy untied her apron and went to hang it up in the back. She was grabbing her bag when her grandmother walked in