Open All Hours (Carnival Magic 2) Read Online Free

time in twenty-four hours, she managed a smile. At some point, she would wake up and this would all be over. Until then, this person was her best hope for figuring out the mystery. “I’m Leesa.”
    “Pleasure, Leesa. First things first. Let’s get you some clothes and try and find out more about this change. Maybe some thing else to eat? I doubt a kiddie burger is enough.”
    “A milkshake would be good.”
    He pulled his cell phone from a pocket and pushed a button. “Easy. You’ll need your strength when we start training.”
    “Training? For what?”
    “Your shift was automatic. You couldn’t control it. That’s why I knew it hadn’t happened to you before. Plus, it looked painful. It shouldn’t feel like that.”
    It had certainly been painful. Like her skeleton was trying to escape her body. Leesa stammered. “Wh -- what? How?”
    He held up a hand for her to wait while he spoke into the phone. “Arthur. It’s me. Can you and El get over to the diner? Yeah, now. I need some help.” There was silence for a moment and then it seemed like he growled into the phone. “And some ladies’ clothes.” His gaze roamed over her and Leesa felt a flush of heat in her skin, making her earlier desire flood back with full force. She hadn’t felt this need, this craving for a man in a long time -- possibly ever -- and it rattled her. Even with her jangled nerves, her sex pulsed in response to him and the soft fleece of the robe now made her feel restricted and she wanted to tear it off. “In small.”
    When he hung up, he muttered, “That didn’t sound right.”
    “What didn’t?” When he shook his head, she asked the question she really wanted the answer to. “Tell me how you know I can control it.”
    “You’re not alone, Leesa.”
    “That’s not an answer.”
    “It’s the only one you’re getting right now. At least until I get some advice.”
    * * *
    Twenty minutes later, Vol let a man and a woman enter his apartment over the diner. The man was the exact opposite in stature from Vol. Although he was tall and black-haired like Vol, the close-cut vest he wore over his white button-up shirt accentuated his slender build. The woman was full-figured with a mass of naturally coily hair that went unrestrained. Her smile lit up her smooth brown face and Leesa liked her immediately. She held the slender guy’s hand and clutched a shopping bag with another. They both looked at Vol expectantly.
    Vol cleared his throat and made introductions. “Leesa, this is my cousin Arthur, and his girlfriend, Ellie. They’re here to… ah, help.” For the first time, the man looked uncomfortable. “Sorry to call you out on your busiest night.”
    “No worries. Amy is handling the manager chair tonight. She was happy to get away from all of the screaming kids for a night. Let’s sit down,” Arthur suggested, moving toward the dining room.
    Ellie went into action. “Let her get some clothes on first.” She held up the bag. “I brought you something to wear. They’re not new, but they are from my ‘I’ll fit back into that one day’ collection.” She turned to the men. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but I’m sure it will be much easier explained with alcohol. And fries. Yeah?” She led Leesa out of the room.
    In the spacious bedroom, Leesa watched Ellie lay out a pair of jeans, three T-shirts, a sleeveless cotton dress and a tank top. “Wanna tell me anything before we go back out there?” she asked gently.
    “I…” Leesa’s natural distrust surfaced. Even looking into Ellie’s open face, she hesitated. “I better change.”
    The other woman nodded and pointed to the adjoining full bathroom. When Leesa entered, she couldn’t help herself. “Wow.”
    Back in the bedroom, Ellie giggled. “I know, right? The shower’s like being in a waterfall in the forest. Vol and Arthur installed it a while back.” She stuck her hand through a crack in the door. “When Arthur told me to bring some