by Ciana Stone
"An hour at Wiley's. He asked us to pick up some beer and soft drinks."
"Works for me. You ready to ride?"
"If you are."
"Sure." She climbed onto the bike behind him, trying not to notice the sad little spirit of a girl waving at them from the graveyard.
Chapter Eleven
Lincoln saw the look Wiley cast Lula's way before he turned his attention back to the burgers on the grill. "They didn't make PE teachers like that when I was a boy."
"No kidding," Lincoln agreed and looked Lula's way. She was helping to set the picnic table, and Molly's daughter Kaylee was chattering to her a hundred miles an hour.
"She's not what I expected." Wiley commented.
"Me either."
"That's clear as mud."
"Yeah, isn't it?" Lincoln took a drink from his beer then grinned at Wiley. "And yes, she was working at the strip club when we met and hell yes, she looks all kinds of fine naked and good god can she move, but she's way more than that, and I like her."
"You like her? Did I hear that right?"
"You did. I like her."
Wiley shrugged. "Well, that's a first. Normally after you sleep with a woman, it's adios."
"Who said I slept with her? No, wait. Actually, I did sleep with her, and it was amazing. I just haven't had sex with her."
"Now I am stunned."
"You think I can't be interested in a woman for something other than sex?"
"I didn't say that, little brother, but your history leads a person to see you in that light."
"I guess so. But it's time for a change, and something about her gets to me."
"I can see why." He turned and yelled. "We're about ready for the hotdogs."
"I'll get them," Lincoln offered. "Want another beer?"
"Sure, thanks."
As he started for the house, he met Molly on her way to Wiley. "How are things going with you and Lula?" She stopped and asked.
"Fine, why?"
"Just asking."
"Please tell me you and Mercy aren't prying."
"No, we're not. I'm sorry, Lincoln. I swear I didn't mean to pick up anything, it just happened that day at the store, but I wouldn't look on purpose. And to be honest, I like her. She's straight-forward seems honest, and Kaylee is in love with her, and you know Kaylee is an excellent judge of people."
"That I do. She's like her mom – and her grandma."
"Yes, she is. You going after the hotdogs?"
"I am."
"Then get to it."
"Yes, ma'am." He resumed his trek to the house and just as he reached the back deck, Netta Bloom and Naomie Taylor walked around the side of the house. "Good afternoon, ladies."
"Good day to you, as well," Netta replied, at the same time Naomie said, "Heya sexy."
Lincoln smiled at the meaningless flirtation. "Gotta get the dogs for the grill."
Across the backyard, Lula watched Lincoln cross the yard, and saw the two women who walked around the corner of the house. Oh oh. She put the stack of paper plates on the table and watched them approach.
No one here knew that she and Naomie were acquainted. Lula met Naomie in Washington, D.C. a week before she came to Cotton Creek. Naomie was there with Russell Walker, visiting his brother, Senator Richard Walker.
Lula was there because she'd been hired by the Walker family. She and Naomie hit it off and over the course of a week became friends. It was agreed that it was in everyone's best interest if it was kept a secret that Lula knew anyone in Texas, particularly Naomie and any of the Walker family.
She could see the expression on Naomie's face. They hadn't talked about how to handle being introduced, but Lula was sure they could wing it. She plastered a bright smile on her face.
"Hey, Miss Netta and Miss Naomie," Kaylee chirped up. "I'm helping my new friend, Miss Lula, set the table."
"And doing a fantastic job of it," Lula complimented Kaylee and then greeted the women. "Hi. I'm Lula Duval."
"Naomie Taylor," Naomie spoke up. "And this is Mrs. Netta Bloom."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bloom. Don't you own the pretty yellow house one road over, the third from the corner?"
"I do."
"I've walked by while exploring the town and your garden is to die for."
"Why thank you, sugar. It's a lot of work, and I'm about getting too old to tend to it."
"Don't let her fool you," Naomie said. "I've been spending a good bit of time with her, and she runs circles around me."
"I bet so."
"Well, you come over any time you like, Miss Duval, and enjoy the garden."
"Thank you, that's really kind, and I'll take you up on it."
"So, you're new to town, aren't you?"
"Yes, ma'am. I start in my new job at the high school tomorrow."
"Oh, you're a teacher?"
"She's a famous gym—gym—" Kaylee looked up at Lula. "What's the word again?"
"Gymnast," Lula answered Kaylee before answering Netta. "And I was a gymnast when I was a child. These days, I'm the new PE teacher and coach for the gymnastics team and the cheerleaders."
"Well, my goodness, isn't that something. I hope you'll enjoy it."
"So do I. And hello there, Thor."
Naomie and Netta turned at the same time Kaylee laughed. "Thor! She called you Thor, Uncle Lincoln."
Lincoln smiled. "Yeah, and I bet she'll come up with a name for you before it's over. I see you've met Naomie and Mrs. Netta."
"I have," Lula replied and gestured to the hotdogs in his hand. "You might want to get those over to the grill."
"On it." With a sexy smile, he walked away.
All the women watched. "Uh huh," Naomie said.
"Oh my." Netta put her hand to her chest.
"Amen, sistahs," Lula added, and they all laughed.
"So, you and—okay, I can't stand it," Naomie said. "Why did you call him Thor?"
Lula raised one eyebrow. "Seriously? Girl, you can look at him and then ask that question?"
"Ahh—oooooh, yep, yep." Naomie nodded.
"I don't get it," Netta complained.
"Thor, God of the Asgards. Big, strong, blonde, hot, sexy and with a—" she looked down at Kaylee who had grown bored of adult interaction and was busy making designs with the plastic knives. "—a walk that makes you want to reach right out, place your hands on it and praise Jesus."
Netta and Naomie burst out laughing, and Lula joined in. For the first time since she'd come to Cotton Creek, she felt like this place could really be more than just a job. Then something caught her eye, a movement behind Netta and Naomie.
She shifted a bit to one side and gestured around as if taking in the landscape. "This is a really nice place."
"Yes, they've worked very hard on it." Netta started telling all about the building and how she and Mercy had helped pick out plants and design the landscaping. As she did, Lula nodded, smiled and looked behind Netta.
What are you doing here? She mentally asked the little girl who watched with a somber expression.
"Who's that?" Kaylee asked.
Lula's heart felt like it leapt right up into her throat. "Who's who?"
"That little girl behind Mrs. Netta?"
"What little girl?" Netta turned around and looked. "I don't see a little girl."
"She's gone now," Kaylee said and looked up at Lula. "But you saw her."
Lula wasn't about to lie to the child but purely hated telling the truth out of fear it would instigate a conversation she didn't want to have. "Well, of course, I did, sweet pea."
She felt bad the moment the words were out because they were spoken in such a way that people would assume she was merely placating Kaylee. She was wrong. Naomie's eyebrows rose in a way that asked quite clearly what the heck is going on?
"Do you think it would be okay if I used the restroom?" Lula asked.
"Sure," Kaylee answered. "Just go inside."
"I'll show you," Naomie spoke up quickly and added to Netta. "
Would you keep an eye on Kaylee?"
"Of course."
As Lula and Naomie headed for the house, Naomie said softly. "You want to tell me what the heck that was all about?"
"Not really."
"But you will."
Lula and Naomie both spoke to the people inside and then Lula headed for the front porch. Naomie followed and Lula closed the door. "This is a bit more private."
"And we need privacy because?"
"If I said that sometimes I see dead people, would it freak you out?"
"Intrigue me, raise my curiosity, and my science geek antennae would twitch, but no, not freak me out. So, can you?"
"I can."
"And there was a dead person—correction, little girl in the backyard?"
"There was. She has been showing up, and I'm trying to help her."
"Because of your folks."
"We should never have spent two days drinking shine and smoking hooch. I told you way more than you need to know."
"Like I didn't?" Naomie rolled her eyes. "But this kid. What can you tell me?"
"That she obviously was alive during the 1930's, looks to be about five maybe a little older, has on a pretty dress and says she just wanted to get her sister something nice for Christmas or that she wanted to surprise her sister."
"And you have no clues at all who she was?"
"No. But I find it odd that she appeared here."
"Hasn't she ever appeared to you when other people are around?"
"Not until today. And Kaylee can see her."
Naomie cut a quick look around. "Let me tell you, that little girl makes the rest of the psychics in her family look like amateurs."
"Really?"
"Seriously."
"Interesting."
"I'll say. So, what are you going to do about it? Kaylee's bound to tell Molly and Wiley, who will tell Mercy and Lincoln. And Mercy may confide in Netta who will then tell me and—"
"I see your point. Let me think about that. I'm already walking a line here, and I'm trying my best not to lie to people, but you know how it is when you're undercover."
"I do. And like I told you before, I'll help however I can. Which reminds me, have you met Dillon yet?"
"You mean the Coach?"
"Yeah, people around here are a little fanatic about their football, aren't they?"
"Good god, you'd think he was some rock star or something. But girl, wow."
"Yeah, tell me about it. The whole family's that way."
"And you're not flirting it up with any of them? You have it bad for Russell Walker."
"No, I don't."
"Right and lying about it will make it go away."
"I'm not—fine, whatever, but I told you, it's not happening between us. He's not ever going to make a move on me, and I'm damn sure never making one on him."
"That's kind of a shame."
"Yeah, kinda like the heat between you and Lincoln. Have you sampled that particular delight?"
"No, but I told you where I stand on that. Kind of like you. Passion is good, but I want more, and I don't know if he has that to offer. But damn, if he did..."
Naomie grinned. "You'd be on it like white on rice?"
"You know it."
"Well, who knows, stranger things have happened. I see Netta staring at us. If she asks, I was trying to get the scoop on your new job, Dillon Walker and how hot or not Lincoln is."
"Got it. How much longer do you think you're going to be staying with Mercy?"
"Not much longer, why?"
"Maybe you could come spend a few days at the lake with me, swim and drink and talk and partake in some primo weed. It'd be nice to spend time with someone I didn't have to hide things from."
"Sure. We'll work it out."
"Great. Okay, time for me to check on Thor."
"Go get'im," Naomie replied and headed back inside. Lula walked around the side of the house and made a beeline for Lincoln who was at the grill, stabbing hotdogs and putting them onto a platter. "Need help?" She asked.
"Nope, got it covered."
"Okay." She looked back at the people who were gathering at the picnic table. "Kaylee saw the ghost."
"Say what?"
"She showed up, right behind Mrs. Netta and Kaylee saw her. No one else did, but Kaylee made a point of saying that I saw the girl too."
"What did you say?"
"I said I did, but my tone said I was just trying to please her."
"You think that did it?"
Lula shook her head. "I think you and I need to talk more about this later. If you still plan on coming back to my place."
"Is that what you want?"
"It is."
"Then it's a date. Now, ready to join the others?"
"Ready when you are."
Together they wandered over to the table. Kaylee ran up and took her hand. "Come sit beside me."
"I'd love to."
She let Kaylee lead her to the table, where they filled up their plates and then took them to a small, decorative wrought iron table that sat beside a beautiful playhouse. "Is this all yours?" Lula asked.
"Yes. My dad had Mr. Weathers build it for me. Isn't it pretty?"
"It sure is? Do you have sleep-overs in it with your friends?"
The way Kaylee perked up like an excited terrier told Lula that she hadn't yet considered a sleepover. Lula was willing to bet that it would be uppermost on her mind now. "I have to ask my Mama if I can do that. Would you come?"
"Sure, if you invite me."
"I will."
"Good." Lula took a bite of her burger. "Umm, good."
"So, that little dead girl wants you to help her."
"Pardon?" Lula swallowed hard.
"She's been watching you the whole time. She's over there, sitting at that tree, see?"
Lula looked in the direction Kaylee pointed. Sure enough, the ghost was there. "I don't know how to help her, but I'm trying to figure it out."
"I guess you need to ask her who her sister is because she said she wouldn't be dead if she hadn't wanted to surprise her sister."
"She told you that?"
"Well, she kinda thought it to me."
Lula nodded. "She thinks things to me too. Maybe I'll ask her, but not right now. Right now, I'd like to sit here and enjoy a good burger with my new friend. So, Miss Kaylee, tell me all about you and your family and how it feels that you'll soon be a big sister."
After that, Lula focused on paying attention to Kaylee and her excited chatter about the new baby that would be joining the family soon. Lincoln walked over to where they sat. "Mind if I join you ladies?"
"I'm not a lady," Kaylee said and grinned. "But you can sit with us. I was telling Miss Lula about being a big sister. It's an important job, you know."
"I do. And I bet you'll be really good at it."
"I will. Like my mom's a good mom, and my daddy's a good dad."
"Absolutely." Lincoln agreed.
For a few seconds, they ate in silence. "Miss Lula's like you and my daddy."
"Pardon?" That statement shocked Lula.
"I said you're like my daddy and Uncle Lincoln."
"I am? How?"
"You all pretend to be stuff, like play-acting. Only your stuff is important stuff that you have to do to make people safe."
Lula looked at Lincoln and noticed how he quickly looked away, so she turned her attention to Kaylee. "Well, I don't really know what your daddy does, but I'm a school teacher."
"But not a real one," Kaylee said with dead seriousness then lowered her voice. "But I won't tell, Miss Lula, cause we're friends."
"Yes, we sure are. Now, how about you finish telling us about what you have planned on how to help your mama take care of the new baby."
Kaylee launched into her tale. Lula looked at Lincoln who gave her a slight shrug and turned his attention back to Kaylee. Lula tried to focus on enjoying her meal, all the while wondering how to pin Lincoln down on what Kaylee meant when she said Lula
was like Lincoln and Wiley.
It was starting to look like she wasn't the only one keeping secrets.
Chapter Twelve
Lula headed straight for the refrigerator when she entered the house, got herself a bottle of water and yelled to Lincoln. "Want something to drink?"
"Water?"
"Okay." She opened her own, and as she chugged it, reached into the refrigerator for another bottle.
Lincoln was sitting on the sofa, shoes off and feet propped on the ottoman when she entered the living area. She handed him the bottle of water, put hers on the end table then sat to take off her shoes before she got comfortable on the couch.
"So, what we were talking about on the way," Lincoln opened the conversation. "The spirit told Kaylee that she wouldn't be dead if she hadn't wanted to surprise her sister?"
"That's what Kaylee said, and honestly that isn't what got to me. Someone is going to have to tell her parents that she can see dead people."
"Are you volunteering?"
"No, but I will if I have to. They deserve to know her abilities are more than what they thought."
"You have a point. But if that isn't what concerns you, then what does?"
"Come on." She nudged his leg with hers."I'm betting you've been trying to figure out a way to ask me about it as much as I've been trying to figure out how to ask you."
"Oh, you mean when she said that you were like daddy and me and we all pretend to be stuff, like play-acting only our stuff is important stuff that we have to do to make people safe?"
"Yeah that. What did she mean?"
"Maybe you should go first."
"No, I think you should. After all, she compared me to you, so what exactly is it you do, Lincoln?"
"You know what I do."
"No, I don't think I do, but okay, let's back-up. What does your brother do?"
"He and Reese are—"
"I know what he and Reese are planning to do, but before that. What did he do?"
"He was a SEAL and then with NCIS."
"Ah, so he protects people. Just like Kaylee said. And is he out or just trying to be?"
"What does that mean?"
"You know exactly what it means."
"He's out. Unless..."
"You don't have to spell it out. Now, what about you?"
"Hold on. Before we point the spotlight at me, how about you? Are you really a school teacher or not a real one like Kaylee said?"
