Haunted Hearts

by Jenny Bloom

  Vampires aren't supposed to be this red. We're supposed to be pale. Why can't I stop blushing around her?

  “So, that was...interesting,” Lynda commented. “Or, at least, that's one word for it.”

  “Ernest is still new to the business.”

  “I take it you've done tours before?”

  Ruby nodded. “I've done all of them at some point in my life. I can't help how attached I am to this town.”

  “Did you grow up here?”

  “I did. My grandmother took me in when my parents passed away.”

  Lynda frowned sympathetically. “That's awful. I'm so sorry to hear that.”

  “I was really young, so I don't remember much.”

  “What do you remember?”

  Ruby relaxed into the wooden bench. Now that no one was around, she didn't feel the need to retain a perfect posture. She scratched her head while humming thoughtfully. “Well, my mother used to run this new-age spiritual shop just around the corner from our house. She would burn incense and say a lot of phrases.”

  “What kind of phrases?”

  “Things for good luck. She hung brooms over the doorways and always carried a satchel of items with her.”

  “What was in the satchel?”

  Ruby shrugged. “Everything you could ever need for a ritual.”

  Lynda laughed. “She really got into the Salem spirit, I guess.”

  “Yeah, she...” Ruby frowned while staring at the floor of the boat. “Well, I think she really believed it. She had a book from our great-great-aunt that she kept up in her room hidden behind the fireplace.”

  “Wow, a family secret.”

  “More than a family secret—a family curse.” Ruby wiggled her fingers while making a ghastly noise. “Your children may never know the true spirit of the spirits if they never find love!”

  Lynda cackled. “You're making this up!”

  “No, I swear on my mother's grave! It's all true!”

  “Could I see this book sometime?”

  “No, then I'd have to kill you.”

  Lynda gaped while Ruby broke into a laugh. “I'm kidding! Don't worry about that—I'm totally kidding!”

  Lynda laughed nervously. “Well, as long as you're kidding...”

  “So, can I ask you about your life?”

  “Of course. What do you want to know?”

  Ruby grinned. “Everything.”

  “Oh, there's not enough time in the world for that.”

  “So, give me a surface view. Shorten it up for me in a few sentences.”

  Lynda cocked her head to the side while her eyes shifted to the water. Ruby watched the lantern light flicker in her eyes. When Lynda returned her gaze, she smiled. “I'm the child of a type-A personality mother who always put business before family.”

  “Oh, that sounds dreadful.”

  “It was something. It taught me how to prioritize my life in ways that made it manageable.”

  “But what about love and stuff like that?”

  “I knew my mother loved me. She still loves me. But she has a funny way of showing it.”

  “How's that?”

  Lynda went quiet. She stared down at her hands but kept her smile, the corners of her mouth attempting to tug down. It appeared to Ruby that she was hiding something. But Ruby didn't want to press.

  She placed a gentle hand on Lynda's shoulder. “You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to tell me.”

  “That's very sweet of you to say.”

  “Well, it's true. It's basic human decency.”

  Lynda smiled again. This time, it was more genuine. “I'll say that what my mother taught me got me into the university here. I'm studying business. I want to be able to run an entire company.”

  “All by yourself?”

  “With help, of course.”

  “That makes more sense.”

  “Everything makes sense to me. I'm all about logic.”

  Ruby arched her eyebrow. “Is that so? I guess we're pitted against each other because I'm rooted in emotions. I'm the heart and you're the brain.”

  “What a pair we make.”

  She giggled. “So, does that mean when we meet that we would make things happen?”

  “Depends on what kind of things you want to make happen.”

  “How about sparks?”

  Ruby leaned in again, giving the universe no time to intervene. She took Lynda's lips and inhaled sharply, feeling the energy dance between them. As she ran her fingers through Lynda's short hair, she caught herself on Lynda's hairbow. She pulled back with a laugh and held it up.

  “Oops,” she said. “I didn't mean to do that.”

  “Well, you lost a tooth today and I lost a bow. I guess we're even.”

  “I guess so.”

  Lynda grinned and huffed, glancing down for a moment. When her eyes flicked back up to Ruby, they were lit up with joy. “So... when should we do this again?”

  “How about tomorrow?”

  “I'd like that. Where should I meet you?”

  “Would you like to pick our place this time?”

  Lynda nodded. “How about a hayride? I hear they're a lot of fun.”

  “You've never experienced a hayride?”

  “Maybe as a kid, but not lately.”

  Ruby flashed a smile. “Well, you're in for a real treat with ours.”

  “It seems I'm in for a treat with you every time.”

  “Oh, I...” Ruby faded as she blushed again. She noticed the empty dock with its bare boards and the streets beyond it looking more haunted than ever. She shivered as she stood up. “We should get going.”

  “Of course. I wouldn't want to piss off your boss.”

  “He won't really mind.”

  “I thought your friend said it would be a problem?”

  Ruby shrugged. “Well, what he doesn't know can't hurt him, right?”

  Lynda giggled. “A rebellious vampire—I like that.”

  “What other kind of vampire is there to be?”

  They shared a laugh and Ruby beamed, feeling the warmth return even as a gust of cold wind cut underneath her dress shirt. She took Lynda's hand and felt the pulsing of Lynda's veins, the flood of energy, and the excitement of a new romantic prospect.

  She felt animated by the potential—and excited about the results of having met a beautiful woman.

  Chapter Four

  Lynda

  Lynda twiddled nervously, twirling a lock of hair idly between two fingers as she waited next to the line for the hayride. Ruby hadn't texted since she had asked to confirm their date. Although she was sure that Ruby would stick to their plans, there was a little voice inside her head that kept saying, She'll never show up. She's going to ditch you because you don't believe in ghosts. This is serious business. She shook her head. Wow, this is not like me. I never worry about someone liking me.

  As she smoothed her hands down her plaid skirt to keep her hands from shaking, she noticed a familiar black-haired beauty weaving through the tourist crowd.

  She grinned and held up her hand. “Hey!”

  Ruby huffed as she jogged up to Lynda. “I'm so sorry! Things at the store got out of hand for an hour and I had to stay behind to make sure nobody killed anyone.”

  “Oh, wow. That sounds intense!”

  “It is what it is.” Ruby grinned. “So, did you save a spot for me?”

  “Of course! I already bought our tickets.”

  Ruby beamed. “That's so sweet.”

  Lynda extended her hand and took Ruby's, tugging Ruby to the ever-growing line for the hayride. When they reached the front, she handed the guide their ticket stubs and took a seat next to two rowdy children. She frowned at them.

  I hope they don't cause too much of a fuss, she thought while trying to put a grin back on her face. I really don't like kids.

  “Aw, they're dressed as pumpkins,” Ruby cooed while looking at the two children next to them. “They're so cute!”

  “Yea
h—cute.”

  “So, did you miss me over the past twenty-four hours?”

  Lynda giggled. “Only a little bit.”

  “A little bit...Well, that's disappointing.”

  “Did you want me to say a lot?”

  Ruby hummed. “Somewhere between a little and a lot.”

  “A lottle?”

  They shared a laugh as the carriage lurched forward. Lynda teetered slightly, finding Ruby had placed an arm around her waist to steady her position. She smiled warmly and wrapped an arm around Ruby.

  “We're making up words together,” Ruby pointed out. “Do you know what that means?”

  “That we're gross.”

  “It sure does.”

  The two children next to Lynda bounced. She felt the bench bend under their weight and scooted closer to Ruby, listening with concern to the squeaking board threatening to break.

  She cleared her throat and turned to Ruby. “So, is this hayride extra spooky?”

  “It's pretty tame compared to the other rides. Were you hoping to be extra spooked tonight?”

  “Oh, no! I was just worried about...you know, you getting too scared. I'm always here to help you not be scared.”

  “That's so considerate of you.”

  Lynda chuckled nervous. “It's like what you said yesterday...basic human decency.”

  She sighed internally, glad that the ride wasn't going to involve too many scares.

  And considering there are kids here, I imagine it'll be fine.

  She swallowed the knot in her throat, feeling satisfied when it effectively broke and allowed her to take deeper breaths. She relaxed into Ruby and inhaled the sweet scent of Ruby's perfume—a kind mixture of vanilla and honey. As she nestled closer, she heard the kids next to her start whining.

  Their mother chided them to sit still as the ride continued, but Lynda couldn't quell the ache of annoyance in her gut.

  “There's something!” Ruby said while pointing to a scarecrow walking between a few bales of hay. “He must be up to scarecrow business.”

  “Ahh, so spooky,” Lynda joked.

  The kids next to her giggled. She regarded them with a grin before turning her attention back to the front.

  “I just can't get over their outfits,” Ruby whispered. “They're like little pumpkins just waiting to be plucked from the patch.”

  “Do you want kids someday?”

  “Totally—I want several children someday.”

  Lynda hummed. “That sounds...nice.”

  “What about you?”

  “Oh, well...I haven't really given that much thought. I need to get through school first before I can really think about having a family like that.”

  “That's probably for the best. I think if I tried to have a family too soon, I would make too many mistakes.”

  Lynda sighed internally. “Yeah, I totally agree.”

  “My parents were young when they had me. It caused some issues, but ultimately they were fine.”

  “How young was your mom?”

  “She was twenty.”

  Lynda whistled. “Wow, that's an age.”

  “She never went to college either. I mean, I was going to go, but I ended up choosing to just work in town instead.”

  “Do you ever think about pursuing higher education in the future?”

  Ruby shrugged. “I thought about taking some community college classes, but I couldn't decide what to pursue.”

  “It can be a daunting process trying to pick a major.”

  “Well, you seem like you're doing a great job.”

  Lynda blushed. “You don't even know about my grades or anything. How do you know I'm doing a great job?”

  “Because you clearly know what you want. You have everything set up for you. I bet you even have the next five years planned.”

  Lynda laughed. “Is it that obvious that I've taken after my mother?”

  “Only a lottle.”

  She giggled again and hugged Ruby tighter against the chilly breeze. When the carriage took a turn, she gasped as she admired the large pumpkin balloon floating above a cabin. The outside of the cabin was decorated generously with plenty of pumpkins, hay, and other spooky assortments like ghosts and fake ghouls. The bartender sitting behind the bar in front of the cabin laughed maniacally as he waved.

  “Are you thirsty?” Ruby asked. “I feel like we should hop off and grab a drink.”

  “That sounds like the perfect idea,” Lynda replied as she thought to herself. More like the perfect way to get away from these kids.

  She hopped off the slow-moving carriage and held Ruby's hand as Ruby bounced down. As she approached the bar, she offered the bartender a grin and her ID.

  “Ah, a witch who is prepared,” the bartender commented in a ghoulish voice. “And what can I get you two fine broom-riders?”

  Lynda blushed while tucking her ID away into her clutch. “A martini for me and whatever the lady would like.”

  “The lady would like a glass of white wine,” Ruby said.

  Lynda smiled wide as she paid for their drinks. The bartender smiled warmly and bowed his head. “Let me know if you two need anything else.”

  He scooted away to Lynda's relief, giving them privacy to sit on the bales of hay and sip their drinks. She sighed as she swallowed a gulp of her martini.

  “Well,” she huffed. “I'm glad this tour had something adult to do.”

  “Was it too childish for you?”

  “Oh, no! I just meant...Well, it can be nice to just relax in a way that most adults do, you know?”

  Ruby giggled. “It's okay. You're not under pressure to like anything that I like.”

  “I figured as much, but thank you for telling me that.”

  Ruby winked. “If you want, we could finish these and go do something even more adult back at my apartment.”

  Lynda became flustered suddenly and hid her shy grin with another sip of her martini. A drop of liquor fell on her cardigan and she wiped at it nervously, feeling Ruby's eyes following her every move.

  She chuckled. “I'm sorry—I'm usually not this embarrassed.”

  Ruby waved away the apology. “Don't worry about it. I think we're both kind of nervous here.”

  “I think you're right about that.”

  “So, let's have at least one more drink after this so we're not so nervous. Does that sound good?”

  “You really want me to come over, huh?”

  Ruby nodded. “I would like that. We could even pick up wine along the way.”

  “Mmm...wine after a martini...” Lynda faded into a curious hum as she tapped her chin. “I'm not sure that mixes for me.”

  “We can grab whatever you want.”

  Lynda stared into Ruby's eyes, seeing nothing but genuine affection sitting there. The hayride had already left her mind. Most of the sounds around her had faded, even the cheesy horror music that was playing over the speakers hidden in the bales of hay. She could feel the straws poking her legs, stabbing underneath her skirt, but no amount of discomfort could have drawn her focus away from Ruby.

  There was likely nothing that would make her look away.

  As she gazed longingly at Ruby, she nearly lost hold of her drink. She recovered quickly and tucked her hair behind her ear, unable to break away from her staring match.

  “It seems like I've known you before,” Ruby whispered.

  “How's that?”

  “Like in another life.”

  Lynda grinned. “Do you believe in all that?”

  “I believe in all things supernatural. Don't you feel that?” Ruby took Lynda's hand and squeezed it gently. “There's always a spark when we touch.”

  Lynda's breath hitched—she did feel it.

  She licked her lips. “Ever since I saw you, I thought maybe...”

  “Yeah?”

  “Maybe I had seen you around town. You were so familiar to me.”

  “I'd say that counts for something.”

  Lynda giggl
ed. “And then I just...I knew I was going to buy the skirt, but I wanted to talk to you anyway.”

  “That's so cute.”

  “Do you want another drink? I'm ready to go.”

  Ruby flashed a grin. “Well, then...let's just go.”

  ***

  Lynda stepped through a curtain of beads, listening to them tinkering behind her as she walked into Ruby's living room. She gaped at the collection of horror figurines sitting on the mantel, the canvas paintings of witches hanging on the far wall, and the gargoyles guarding nearly every corner.

  “You like Halloween, eh?” she remarked jokingly. “This is pretty spirited if you don't mind me saying.”

  Ruby blushed. “Actually...this is how it looks all year.”

  “Cute.”

  “The decorations?”

  Lynda grinned. “No... you.”

  She took Ruby's hand and rubbed her thumb over Ruby's knuckles, feeling a tingle erupt between them. She could still taste the martini on her lips and she wondered if she could transfer the taste, leaning instinctively in to Ruby. She took Ruby's lips gently, taking her time to get to know every crevice of Ruby's mouth.

  While she traced Ruby's lower lip with her own, she felt Ruby shudder and drew her closer, attempting to chase away the shivers. But she only seemed to inspire more. She started to shift her attention to Ruby's chin just as Ruby dove in for another kiss. She collided with Ruby's bottom row of teeth and withdrew instantly, covering her mouth.

  “Oh, I'm so sorry!”

  Ruby laughed. “It's okay!”

  “I'm never this clumsy—I swear.”

  “No, it's really okay. I think it's adorable.”

  Lynda furrowed her brows. “You think it's adorable that our teeth just clanged together?”

  “I think it's more about the fact that neither of us are perfect.”

  “Well, I mean...I didn't expect everything to be structured, but...”

  “You're used to having a clear-cut plan.”

  Lynda took a breath and the nodded. “Yeah, I'm not usually impulsive. I have always planned ahead.”

  “That's okay. We can take things easy.”

  “I just want to...” She bit her lower lip while drawing close again. “I want to taste you...”

  Ruby hissed. She shivered again as Lynda took control, guiding her over to the couch. The cushions huffed as she dropped down with Lynda trailing after her. As she relaxed back, Lynda trailed kisses down her chin, alerting her skin to erupt with goosebumps with every imprint left behind.