by Rose Pressey
"How are you feeling on this glorious morning?” she said as she plopped down on the leather chair. She'd better not ask me to join another class.
"No,” I barked, turning toward the counter.
"What? I just asked how you were this morning,” she said coyly. Showing me her innocent doe-eyed look.
I eyed her suspiciously. “And you expect me to believe that?"
She jiggled her head up and down. “Yes, I do."
"I know what this is about, and the answer is no. Capital N. Capital O."
"How do you know? You don't know me like you think you do. I'm a very complex person."
"After all these years, I do know you. I can read you like a book,” I said, and then giggled as I set down the book I was holding.
"One more time?"
"You keep saying that. And then bam, you ask again, and the next thing I know I'm twirling on a pole, bruising the heck out of my butt. Not to mention the other areas I didn't know that even possessed muscles."
She twisted her blond curls around her finger and stared at me. Contemplating what I'd just said. After a minute in thought, she said, “You enjoyed yourself, admit it."
I hesitated, and then said, “I guess it was a little fun. But incredibly embarrassing."
"It's not that embarrassing. You're just being overly dramatic. No one even sees you."
"Sure they do! I mean, did you have to rent a building with windows for walls?” I studied her. “I'll think about it, all right?"
"Okay, I'll take that,” Mindy chirped. She sat her purse down next to her and glanced around. “Wait a minute.” She held out her hands in a ‘stop’ position. “I just noticed something. Why aren't you talking to thin air?” Mindy laughed.
"They're gone.” I smiled.
"Gone? As in not here anymore?"
"Yes, as in not here anymore."
"What happened?"
"After I broke the spell, I guess they were ready to go.” I shrugged. “I don't think that was the reason they stuck around in the first place, but I guess after a while they realized they'd be better off if they left, once they knew Callahan was all right."
"I'm shocked. I mean, that's great."
"Yeah, it's weird to have them gone. As soon as things were good with me again, poof they were gone. Maybe that really was what they wanted all along, except for Mrs. Williams of course. That old hen wasn't going anywhere until I finally talked to her husband."
"So you talked to him?"
"Yes, finally I talked to him."
"What did he say?"
"Well, of course, at first, he thought I was crazy. If I were in his position I'd probably feel the same way. He was somewhat angry with me. I thought he might throw me off his front porch, but then his wife had me tell him something that only the two of them knew. So I think he believed me after that. I'm just glad it's all over with. She was a real pain in the ass. I was worried I might lose all of my customers because of her. I do miss having someone to chat with, though.” I felt my stomach twist with a sadness I hadn't expected to pop up.
"So have you talked to him yet?"
I took a deep breath before I spoke. “No. I watched when Karyn came for Brianna, but Callahan was nowhere in sight. He hasn't opened his shop yet today, either."
"I hope he's all right."
"Me too. Maybe he decided to get the heck out of this crazy town."
"I wouldn't blame him if he did. So, tell me every tiny detail of what happened when they came for Brianna. I would have given anything to be here when it went down."
"Well..."
The bell chimed, echoing the slight tinkle sound throughout the building. I couldn't see who'd entered from where I stood, so I glanced over at Mindy for an answer.
She just smiled warmly at me and said, “Speak of the devil. I'll see you later."
I shot her a confused look. Surely she didn't mean Brianna was there.
Mindy reached for her purse, stood, waved goodbye and then turned toward the door to leave.
"Hi.” I heard the husky voice, and I hurriedly popped my head around the corner.
"Thank you for everything. I don't know what I would have done without you.” Callahan said. He was standing there with that amazing smile that I hadn't seen for quite some time. It was the smile that had been there the first day I'd met him, and again on the three dates we'd so happily shared.
In that moment, I knew he was back. Returned from whatever strange world Brianna had sent him to. The bizarre look in his eyes had disappeared and the sparkle that had so easily radiated from him had replaced it.
He stood close to a display table with his hands shoved in his jeans pockets. His smile eased into a shy grin.
"Oh, hi.” I felt the heat rise in my cheeks. I was embarrassed. I'd gone through a lot for the guy, and I really couldn't explain why. Other than I felt I was doing the right thing, somehow saving him from a miserable life with Brianna.
"Can we start over? Pretend this never happened?” he said, gazing down at the floor.
I could tell he was embarrassed.
"You know, I don't think we have to pretend it never happened. It was a lesson learned, that's all."
I moved from around the counter and walked closer to him.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. I'll know not to drink something anyone gives me without asking if it's a love spell first."
I laughed. “So you know what happened to you then?"
"Yes, I spoke with Karyn. I woke up from it last night, and I felt as if I'd been asleep for days. I don't remember much of what happened."
"You're lucky you don't remember,” I smiled.
"How about dinner tonight?"
I couldn't stop myself from giving him a huge smile. I really didn't care if my feelings for him were obvious. What harm could come from just being myself? But then, I also knew that being myself in front of him meant I'd have to tell him about the dead people, too.
I wouldn't know how to begin to tell him, though. When was the right time to tell someone that you talk to dead people?
"I'd love to have dinner with you."
A new start, a new chance for us. I didn't know what it would bring, but I was glad I had the opportunity to find out without any evil standing in the way.
* * * *
My doorbell rang and I took in a deep breath. I stole one last glance at the mirror, checked my teeth for lipstick and headed for the front door. Callahan was standing there, looking as handsome as ever, wearing his jeans and casual button-down shirt. His hair tousled in all the right places.
As I stepped out onto the sidewalk and we walked toward the driveway, I noticed Callahan's in-need-of-a-wash car. There was an elderly man in the backseat. The thing was, though ... he was dead. Fortunately, I realized right away he wasn't living, because I could see the other side of the car right through him. As Callahan hurried me to his car I knew that he had no idea someone was sitting back there.
I looked at the spry-looking man and he immediately tipped his fedora at me and said, “The name's Seth Weiss. I'm Callahan's grandfather."
He was so lively I wondered how could he possibly be dead—I bet he'd put up a fight before he left this world. Seth eyed me up and down, and then let out a low whistle.
Finally he said, “You sure are a pretty young thing."
I bit my lip and tried to keep from chuckling.
Callahan had no clue we had a chaperone for our date.
I slipped into his car, resisting the urge to write wash me in the dirt on the side with my finger. When Callahan jumped in, I could feel the energy that zinged between us.
Seth said, “You two make a great couple."
As I shot a side glance back to Seth and he winked, I knew then that it was going to be one heck of a date.
Callahan steered through the streets, glancing over at me every few seconds with an eager grin on his face.
"How are you? I mean how does it feel to be a zombie?” I asked with a chuckle.
/> He laughed. “Strange. Feeling like a zombie feels very strange. I'm great now, though. No more zombie.” He looked at me, but he had a more impish gleam in his eyes that made my stomach dance.
As we neared the restaurant Callahan slowed, pulled his car into the parking lot and then turned off the ignition.
He reached for his door, looked at me and said, “Stay right there. I'll open the door for you."
Before he could open his door my phone rang loudly, and I knew instantly that meant trouble. I wasn't sure how I knew, but somehow I did. The caller id displayed a number I knew well, and I knew they would only call me if it were an absolute emergency.
My throat tightened and I said nervously, “I'm so sorry. Do you mind if I take this call? I'll only be a second."
"No, please take it. It doesn't bother me.” He smiled.
Flipping open my phone anxiously, I said, “Hello?"
"Larue,” gasped the voice on the other end. “We need you to come help us, now!"
I wondered if Callahan could hear the voice booming through my phone.
"I'm on a date. Can't it wait?” I whispered as if Callahan couldn't hear me.
"I'm afraid it can't. It's a serious situation."
I glanced over at Callahan, who was watching me intently.
"Bring him with you,” the male voice said hurriedly.
As I continued eyeing Callahan I said, “I don't think that's such a good idea."
"What's not a good idea?” Callahan asked, obviously aware I was talking about him. His blue eyes were melting me as I looked at them.
"Someone needs me to come and help them. I told them I can't make it,” I said, covering the phone while I advised him of the situation.
"Don't be silly, I'll take you. Where is it?"
"About an hour away. I'm not sure it's such a good idea right now.” I frowned.
"Of course it is. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine. And if they need your help then we should go."
I hesitated and stared at Callahan, who was eyeing me patiently. I didn't know what to do. They needed me and my urge to help them was overpowering. But Callahan had no idea what he was getting himself into by agreeing to take me. I paused for a minute then finally gave in.
"All right. We'll be there,” I said hesitantly into the phone.
I couldn't let this person down. Not after they had helped me so often when I was in trouble. I clicked off the phone and looked at Callahan.
"What do they need your help with?” He asked as he turned the ignition to his car on again.
"Well...” I paused, putting my phone back into my purse to stall for a chance to come up with an answer. Think quick. I doubted he would believe it was a book-related emergency.
"Which direction do I need to go anyway?"
He was taking me wherever I needed to go, with no idea what he was volunteering to do. And he didn't have to do that. But he was.
"Point me in the right direction and we're on our way.” Callahan whipped his car out of the parking space.
If I'd told him where we were headed, he might have changed his mind right away and we wouldn't be going after all. He might screech the car to a halt, sling open the car door and sit me out on the curb.
"Turn left here,” I said pointing to the street.
He whizzed the car onto the street. His biceps flexed as he turned the wheel. Damn, he was sexy.
"So, now tell me where we are going."
The moment had arrived, no turning back. My heart pounded. I had to tell him.
As the words flowed off my tongue I was nervous. “Well. You see...” I took a deep breath. Here goes.
"I'm a ghost hunter and I get rid of ghosts for people,” I spewed out hurriedly.
Nothing, I knew it. He was silent. Finally I had gotten another date with him and in a flash I'd ruined it within five minutes.
"You're kidding? I love ghosts. I've always been fascinated with the paranormal. Of course, now I'm a little nervous about witchcraft.” He laughed.
What? I couldn't believe what I was hearing. God must be smiling down on me today.
"So tell me, what do you do to get rid of ghosts? How do they need your help tonight? Sorry if it's so many questions, I just think it's fascinating. I watch Ghost Hunters on TV all the time. Do you do what they do?"
"Yeah, I do that. And more.” He had no idea how much more.
"You should have told me sooner."
"Well, you were kind of out of it for a while there.” I laughed.
He chuckled. “True. Good point."
I laughed at his enthusiasm.
He was looking at me with a curious expression, as if all of a sudden I was somehow mysterious to him. Maybe I should have told him sooner, but I'd never guessed he'd be that excited. Then came the hard part of telling him we were going to chase a demon.
"Well, this seems to be a not-so-friendly ghost, not exactly Casper-the-friendly-ghost if you know what I mean. And...” I paused. “I have to help get rid of a demon."
His eyes widened. “A demon?"
"It won't be pleasant—I can guarantee you'll feel exhausted when we leave, but it'll be an experience like none you've ever had. If you're up for it that is?"
"I'm game,” he said eagerly.
I couldn't help but smile at his boyish excitement. All that time I'd been worried about what he would think of me. Of course, I didn't explain to him yet that I could see ghosts and talk to them. No, I'd save that for later. There was only so much I wanted to lay on him in one night.
"This should be interesting,” Seth said from the backseat.
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About Rose Pressey
Rose Pressey has always held a fascination for all things paranormal. She is also a romantic at heart, so it is only natural that she combined the two. She enjoys writing quirky and fun novels.
When Rose is not writing she loves to read, spend time with family and listen to oldies from the fifties.
Rose resides in Kentucky with her husband, son and two sassy Chihuahuas.
Visit her online at:
www.rosepressey.com www.myspace.com/rosepressey
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Coming in 2009 from Rose Pressey
Ghoul's Night Out
The Ghost and Bama Bleu
Watch lyricalpress.com/rosepressey.html for details
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Also Available from Lyrical Press
One Ring to Rule
by Charlotte McClain
lyricalpress.com/oneringtorule.html
One spurned editor, one groveling prodigal artist and one hundred thousand eavesdropping fans.
Lindsey Cartwright didn't set out to become the Wicked Witch of Comics. But then she fell for hot-shot artist Kent Farrington ... and got dumped. When he walked out, he left her with no explanation and zero sense of humor.
Kent knows he's got a hard road ahead if he wants to win Lindsey back. He'll need to catch her at the perfect time, in the perfect place. What could be better than the biggest comic book convention of the year?
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Lyrical Press
Where reality and fantasy collide
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