Once Upon a Dream by Nora Roberts

Author:Nora Roberts
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2000-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

THE ENCHANTMENT

Ruth Ryan Langan

For all who believe

And especially for Tom,

who always believed in me

1

“AFTERNOON, ANNIE.” MELINDA Mozey looked up from the waitress station of the Mozey Inn as Annie Tyler breezed in. “I’ve got that sandwich and coffee all ready for you.”

“Thanks, Melinda.” Annie reached into her purse and withdrew a couple of bills. While the older woman rang up the sale, she fumbled in her pocket for her pager and noted the number of the caller before looking up. “Something smells wonderful. What is it?”

“Bean soup. Howard’s been simmering that ham bone all morning. Want to try some? It’ll warm you up on this miserable day.”

“Thanks, Melinda. No time.” Annie gave her a quick smile, then picked up the carryout bag and started out the door, cell phone to her ear.

The older woman shook her head, then turned to her husband, who was wiping down the counter. “That girl just never slows down.”

“Yep. Still running on New York time. But Doc Simmons said she’s got her grandmother’s debt nearly all paid down. She settled the hospital bill. Paid for all those round-the-clock aides. Promised Doc Simmons she’d have his final payment next month. The way she’s working, she’ll be free and clear in…oh, another year or so.”

“If she lives that long.” His wife glanced at the figure dashing across the street through a curtain of rain. “What a pretty little thing like Annie needs is a good man to show her how to have some fun in her life.”

The object of their discussion turned up the collar of her trench coat as she raced along the main street of the little town of Tranquility, Maine. The calendar said April, but the rain and wind still had the bite of winter to them.

She pushed open the door of the small, freshly painted office and smiled at the young woman who was busy tearing off a fax.

“Hey, Annie.” Shelly Kirkland, a young divorcée with two little girls, had eagerly offered to work part-time when Annie opened her real estate office in town. Because Shelly couldn’t afford a baby-sitter, she was forced to bring her daughters with her after school. Annie had surprised them with a low wooden table and a variety of art supplies. Now the two girls, aged five and seven, played happily while their mother manned the telephone.

Annie fished two cookies from the carryout bag and raised an eyebrow at Shelly for permission. At her nod of approval, Annie offered them to the girls, who chirped their thanks before digging into the warm, gooey chocolate chips.

Shelly grinned. “Every time I see you with my daughters, I wonder why you don’t have a couple of your own.”

“Yeah. That’s what I need in my life.”

“But you’re so good with them.” Shelly put the fax on Annie’s desk and efficiently changed the subject. “Here’s the description of that little house just outside of town. The Drummonds are worried that they’ve set the price too high. Think you can estimate what it’s worth?”

Annie nodded.

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