Page 78 of The Hopeless Romantic’s Guide to Enchantment

Leanna was twenty-six now, she had real problems, and one of them was the loan shark standing at her front door, peeking through the windows with the meanest-looking mug she’d ever seen. Slowly backing up the drive, Leanna made to run, but the large man had already spotted her.

“Oye!” he yelled. “Get back here, you cheat!”

Leanna gasped, breaking into a sprint, picking up her skirts to ease her escape, but she didn’t make it far before the man grabbed her from behind, hoisting her up into his arms. “Get off me!” she screamed, flailing madly, kicking out her legs until she slammed a heel into the goon’s shin.

He dropped her hard. Leanna hit the ground with a cry, the setting sun’s burst of colors an unfit background for such terror, as she crawled, the sharp gravel cutting her palms. “Where’s my money? Witch!” The word was horrid coming from the man and it reminded Leanna that it was not the mischievous taunt of Edward Lowen.

“It isn’t me that owes you,” she said, backing up slowly. Her red hair that had darkened to auburn with age had loosened from its pins, cascading down her back in waves. “It was my father.”

“The fool got himself killed in a gambling hall.” The goon sneered. “You’re about to get yourself killed if you don’t come up with every penny he owed me.” Her mother wouldn’t be held accountable, she’d escaped not a year after the Lowens moved in, running off with the butcher.

Leanna had never heard from her mother again and she couldn’t even find it in herself to blame the woman. If she’d had the power to leave, she’d have been gone years ago. A large hand closed around her throat and Leanna scratched at the man’s face, frantically fighting for him to release her. Black spots appeared over her vision as she gasped for air she wasn’t getting.

A sound cracked through the air like the roar of an animal and then she was released again, collapsing to the ground, coughing and gasping, her throat raw. “I know she is rather irritating on occasion, but last I checked, murder is against the law.”

The voice was low and angry. When Leanna looked up to view her savior she felt like a brick had fallen on her head.

Edward Lowen.

Was standing between her and the goon, chest heaving, anger marring his features.

He was twelve years older than the last time she’d seen him, but Leanna knew him instantly. He held himself with the same confidence as he always had, but it was no longer a boy who stood before her but a man; a man with broad, muscular shoulders, impeccably dressed from head to toe, a smirk tipping up his lips… and a muted fury in the depths of his green eyes.

Leanna pushed to her knees, holding her throat, yelping when Edward hoisted her up, the gentle pressure on her arm leaving tiny ripples of feeling behind. “Leanna?” Edward murmured, a question in his eyes, worry replacing it when she leaned against his shoulder, feeling horribly weak, not trusting her two feet as her hands reached out to grip his arm.

The goon took a step forward and Edward held out a hand. “Stay back or I will have the constable called. I’ve heard the new jail has lovely magical bars that set the cell on fire if you attempt escape.”

The thug laughed. “Aren’t you the hero.” He threw a meaty fist in Leanna’s direction and she flinched into Edward’s arm to avoid it. She despised how weak she felt, unable to save herself, relying on proper boy of all people. “She owes me and if it’s not money she has, I have other suggestions for payment.”

“Leave,” Edward gritted. “Now.”

The goon shrugged. “Very well. But I’ll be back. Tomorrow is your last chance, Miss Dowen. I’ll be here by sunset a day from now.”

The loan shark made his way down the drive, looking unnatural next to the glowing magical garden on the Lowens’ estate. The roses worth thrice what Leanna’s father had owed sat there, mocking her as the loan shark passed the guards surrounding the garden, tipping his hat.

“Bastard,” Edward spat, turning to her, eyes gentling as he scanned her person. “Are you hurt?” He caught on her neck, a bruise likely already forming, and blew out an angry breath.

Taking a deep breath of her own, Leanna regained control of her senses, realizing with horror who she was talking to, and separated herself immediately. “What in the posey’s name are you doing here?”

With her adrenaline dying down, she finally took a good long look at the proper boy next door. He was disgustingly handsome, but then she knew he would be. His face had lost all the boyishness he’d had the last time she’d seen him, replaced with sharp-angled cheeks and a strong jaw that sported a light beard. Horror struck her when she realized her hand had raised of its own accord to touch it.

“I was taking a walk down memory lane and found you being mauled,” he answered her sardonically, lifting a dark brow.

“I had it handled,” she said proudly, brushing a lock of auburn from her face, feeling stupidly self-conscious of her drab work dress. “It’s none of your concern.”

“Perhaps not, but a dead body in my parents’ driveway would be,” he deadpanned. “Still stubborn as ever, I see. Glad the years haven’t shaken that particularly charming trait.” His green eyes looked her up and down, leaving a trail of heat everywhere they touched. It was discomfort, Leanna told herself. Nothing more.

“Apologies. Hopefully next time he’ll strangle me in my own yard.” She sneered.

Edward clicked his tongue. “Fingers crossed.”

With a frustrated growl, Leanna turned on her heel, stopping only when Edward called her name, “Leanna.” The next words dropped the pretense of irritated indifference; they were caring, concerned even. “How much money does your father owe?”

“Why do you ask? So you can mock me?”

The gravel crunched, indicating he’d moved closer. “You really think that little of me?” The question was far too vulnerable for what they’d always been to one another. She had a sudden urge to fall into his strong arms and cry while he stroked her hair.

Which either meant being choked had knocked her brain about in her skull or her loneliness was growing truly desperate.