White Trash Witch by Franny Armstrong Read Free Book Online Page B

healthy?"
    "Love."
    "Love?"
    "My parents loved me, and my sister, Bethany. It made
all the difference in the world."
    "So how'd you get rich?" she asked. "Oh, I'm so
sorry. It's none of my business. Don't answer."
    "I won the lottery ten years ago, and invested the
money. I'm now a multi-millionaire and have a successful business."
Realizing that he was giving too much away, he changed the
subject.
    "We should be there in the next twenty minutes. We're
lucky that the roads were clear. Most people on a Saturday night
have better things to do than drive."
    "Yeah, except for drunken bums like my
brother-out-law!"
    Reaching over, he threaded his fingers through hers
and fell silent.
****
    Just before entering the hospital, Ryder adjusted his
spell so that only Wiley would see him as Ryder. To everyone else,
he was Duncan Ryder.
    Seeing her parents in the hallway, Wiley cried out
and rushed to them, throwing herself into their arms, tears pouring
down her cheeks. It took a few minutes to get a hold of herself and
when she did, she asked, "Any word?"
    "She's in ICU. They said she's going to make it, but
she's still unconscious. There was a lot of damage to her right
side. They repaired most of it during surgery," her father
said.
    Wiley absorbed that, and then realized that Ryder was
still standing beside her.
    "Oh, I want you to meet Ryder. He drove me all the
way here. This is my mother, Lila, and my father, Willy."
    "Pleased to meet you. I told Wiley that you are all
welcome to stay at my place while you're here. I have lots of
room," he said, shaking her father's hand.
    "That's kind of you. I have to get back to the farm,
but Lila is going to stay, aren't you dear," he said, putting his
arm around her.
    "Yes. Ryder that would be a blessing, if you are sure
you don't mind," Lila said.
    "My home is only ten minutes from here, and you can
have use of my driver."
    "Driver?" Willy said.
    "He's rich, Dad. He has a driver." By the tone of her
voice, Ryder knew that she was furious about his wealth.
    "Now, we won't accept charity. We plan to pay our
way," he said, feeling defensive.
    "No problem. Pay me whatever you feel is right. Take
your time, too," Ryder said.
    "Well, thank you, then. I think I'll go check with
the nurses."
    "I'll come with you, dear," Lila said, smiling at
Ryder.
    "Wow," Wiley said, once her parents were out of
hearing.
    "Wow?"
    "You have my Dad eating out of your palm. Mom, too.
You knew the right things to say. He would have been too proud to
accept your help if you'd refused his money."
    "I've been there, remember?" he said. When he saw her
rub her arms, he pulled her close and hugged her. She melted into
his embrace. He couldn't remember a time when hugging someone had
felt so right.
    Suddenly she stiffened, and pulled away.
    "Horse! You had better have a good reason for even
daring to come here. You nearly killed my sister!" she snarled, her
fists clenched as her face turned sheet white.
    "Get over yourself. She was the one that caused the
accident. She was yelling at me."
    Willy returned, his face a mask of fury. "Is that why
she has a bruise on her left cheek? The one opposite of where all
the damage was?" he said, his voice a low growl. He lunged at
Horse.
    The nurses called security, but Ryder had pulled them
apart by the time they arrived.
    "This man is reeking with alcohol. I suggest you
remove him from here before he manages to swallow someone's fist,"
Ryder said, disgust in his tone.
    Wiley watched them drag him away, wanting to use her
magic to make him pay. "Harming none, and helping many," she
muttered.
    Ryder didn't have such sentiments and threw a spell
that tripped Horse and made him fall face forward on the floor.
When he swore and stood up again, his nose was bleeding. From the
bend in it, it looked broken. He gave Wiley a dirty look, and then
allowed the guards to take his arms as they led him away.
    "Gee, if looks could kill," Wiley said, then noticed
a young girl standing to the side as