Read Online 5 A Charming Magic by Tonya Kappes - Free Book Online

I loved that one.” I pointed to the simple vintage engagement ring. The platinum ring was one of my favorites and Bella knew it was the one I wanted when Oscar and I were dating. Once Bella had told me it was from the 1910’s, I was sold. “I love how simple the stone is. Just one stone.”
    “Don’t you think it’s a little plain?” Arabella quipped.
    “Plain?” I shook my head. “Perfect. Listen,” I turned toward her, “I would take a bread tie if Osc—” I stopped myself when I realized who I was talking to.
    She was definitely charming, manipulating the situation, making me forget about her little rendezvous with my man.
    “What can I do for you?” Bella interrupted when she could see I was struggling.
    “Nothing.” Arabella looked back at my ring as she drummed her fingertips together. “Just wanted to introduce myself. I must go before my grandmother gives the shop away.”
    Before we knew it, Arabella was gone.
    “She brought her grandmother too?” Bella grabbed the Windex from behind the counter and removed the evidence of Arabella’s fingerprints.
    “Her grandmother is Mary Lynn.” My eyes rose.
    “No way!” Bella eyes and mouth shot open. This was probably the first time any of the Elders had shared anything personal with anyone. “I wonder if your mom and dad knew her family? You know, your mother would have loved that ring too.” She winked and took the ring from the case. She used her gem cleaning cloth to give it a once-over before she handed it to me.
    I couldn’t help myself. I stuck it right on my left ring finger. Just to see how it felt. I wasn’t going to lie. It felt and looked good.
    It was true; Darla would have loved this ring. My parents were in love. Darla was not a spiritualist and Dad was. I had no idea how they met. Eloise Sandlewood, Oscar’s aunt, was Darla’s best friend. I really did need to find out. They were proof that a spiritualist and a non-spiritualist could get married and live happily.
    “One day.” I slid the ring off my finger and gently placed it back on the counter. “Thanks. I’ve got to run.” I pointed toward the door. “I’m meeting Petunia at Ever After so we can look at bridal shower things. First I have to go over to talk to Faith about her headlines.”
    “Karimas?” Bella was not blind to the sisters’ rants and raves. Which were about pretty much everything.
    “And…” I let out a deep sigh. “I have an apology to make to Gerald after that.”
    “Aww. Yes I suppose you do. I’ll let you know when your charm bracelet is ready.” She reached over and picked up my bracelet, dangling it from her fingertips. “And June,” she stopped right before I opened the door to leave, “don’t worry about Arabella Paxton.”
    Hhmph. Without answering I stepped out of the shop and stood on the steps of Bella’s Baubles. Whispering Falls was beautiful and not even Arabella Paxton was going to ruin that.
    It was as though someone came in and carved the town into the side of a mountain. The moss-covered cottage shops were nestled deep in the woods, and had the most beautiful entrances I’d ever seen.
    Each shop had a colorful awning, displaying its name over the top of the ornamental gated doors. It had a magical feel. Seeing A Charming Cure’s awning flapping in the wind filled me with a warm fuzzy. If only Oscar were here, my life would be complete.
    I turned around and admired Bella’s Baubles. A quaint cream cottage with a pink wood door that was adorned with different colored jewels. A perfect match to Bella.
    Izzy caught my attention as she slipped into Mystic Lights, the shop she owned. She must have left the group of gaggling women who had stood over me when I was out cold. I couldn’t help but wonder what they had said about me when I had left. None of them seemed to be too happy with me.
    The outside of Mystic Lights was amazing and mystic. The hunter-green wood door was encased in the most beautiful stone archway. The