Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

only the top of his closed fist. He held it in front of me

and smiled.

"Okay, you touch my hand," he said. His eyes

twinkled.

"Touch your hand?" He nodded. I put my finger

on his middle knuckle and then took it off quickly. He

laughed.

"It's not goin' ta burn ya. Okay, that was good

enough anyway," he said and turned his hand over,

palm up again. Then, before my eyes, he unfolded the

bill and there it was--a five-dollar bill?

"How did you do that?" I asked, my eyes wide.

He shrugged.

"Magic, how else? Anyway, here it is, five

dollars," he said handing it to me. "The way you were

counting your money, right down to-the penny, you

look like you needed an extra four dollars," he said. "Is that right?" Heat came into my face. "Well,

I'm not accustomed to taking money from strangers,

even magic money," I replied thrusting the five-dollar

bill back at him.

"Okay. I won't be a stranger then," he said

leaning back and holding his palms up. "My name's

Thomas Luke Casteel, but most everyone just calls me

Luke. And you are?" he extended his hand.

I stared at him, not knowing whether I should

laugh or get up and walk away. He was too handsome

to be a con man, thought; rather, I hoped.

/> "Leigh VanVoreen." I shook his hand. "There, now we're not strangers and you can

keep the magic money."

"I really don't need it. I have enough to get