by Rose Pressey
“Oh, what I wouldn’t do for some chicken ’n’ dumplings,” Seth said.
Callahan pulled the car in front of the building, put it in park, then climbed out.
As he made his way over to my door, I took advantage of the precious few seconds of alone time.
“All of y’all need to skedaddle now. We had a deal.” I pointed at Anthony.
“No deal, we never promised anything, kitten,” he said with amusement in his tone.
“Did you say something?” Callahan asked as he held the door open for me.
“Oh, um, no. I didn’t say anything.” I glared at the aggravating apparitions when Callahan turned his back, but they all smiled innocently.
As we walked toward the restaurant, a breeze whipped by, blending the aroma of southern cooking with Callahan’s masculine scent. It made my mind hazy and my stomach tingle. Callahan had an effect on me. He didn’t need magic to cast a spell on me.
We made our way across the parking lot, and I glanced back at the car. All three of the misfit ghosts had disappeared. Naturally, I didn’t trust them. They’d followed me here—I didn’t think they’d leave now without a fight.
Callahan and I entered the café and the few people sitting at tables and booths glanced up. Curious about strangers in their town, I suppose. Tables sat crammed into the small space, topped with simple white cotton tablecloths.
A country song played softly in the background. The hostess directed us toward a spot in the back, which gave the locals ample time to check us out. Given the opportunity, they’d probably ask us twenty questions. Where were we from? What did our mama and daddy do? That kind of thing. They really would be in for a shock if they saw the line of ghosts following us. Why my ghoul friends couldn’t at least wait in the car was beyond me. I knew they wouldn’t leave me alone.
Callahan pulled out my chair.
“Thank you,” I said.
“What a true gentleman.” Mae beamed. “And a handsome, strappin’ man, too.”
I was so happy to know my new ghostly friend approved of my date.
The waitress hurried over. Her blonde hair was thin and fell like strings around her head. She wore black pants with a plain white button blouse.
“What’ll I get ya?” she asked.
She’d given us little time to make a decision, so I selected the first thing I saw. “I’ll take the cheeseburger and fries. And I’ll have Diet Coke.” Like I said, no salad tonight.
“I’ll have the same,” Callahan said when the waitress looked at him.
When she walked away, I said, “I’m sorry for turning our date into some kind of adventure out of a Scooby Doo cartoon.”
He took a sip of water, then said, “Hey, it was fun, so please don’t worry about it. Definitely a unique date. You’re one in a million.” He reached across the table and placed his hand on top of mine.
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. But relishing in the delight of my date wasn’t meant to be. The ghostly gang stood beside our table, drawing my attention away from Callahan. They looked like three waiters ready to take our order, only no one saw them but me.
They’d come from the kitchen area. No telling what kind of trouble they’d stirred up back there. When Callahan glanced down at his glass, I flashed a stern glare at them and motioned with a tilt of my head toward the restroom. A ghostly gathering in the girl’s room was in order, or was that ghoul’s room? I’d get to the bottom of this situation, once and for all.
Chapter Six
The faster I got rid of them, the better off I’d be. Keeping my date waiting wasn’t an option. Callahan looked so good. With his mouth pressed against the edge of his water glass, the cool touch from his full lips as he delivered soft kisses across my skin seemed almost real—okay, I was daydreaming, but it was all I could get at that moment. The dim light hanging above the table cast a glow across Callahan’s face, making his eyes sparkle in the light. As much as I wanted to stay there and stare at his gorgeous face, I had to attend to business. Get rid of the ghosts, then come back to my sexy-as-hell date.
“If you’ll excuse me for just a moment, Callahan, I’m going to the ladies’ room.” I stood, gesturing over my shoulder.
“Of course.” Callahan jumped from his seat as I moved away from the table. He smiled, displaying his perfect teeth and adorable dimples. He had no idea how crazy my life really was. If he thought ghost hunting was exciting, would he think the same about talking to spirits?
I headed toward the hallway where I’d spotted the ladies’ room on our way in. When I thought no one was watching me, I glanced over my shoulder. Seth, Mae, and Anthony followed in a line like a row of ducklings behind their mama. Thankfully, they’d gotten the message about our little meeting.
When I stepped into the restroom, my ducklings greeted me. One advantage in being a ghost: the use of doors was optional. That had to be the only perk, well, other than the biggie: spying on people without their knowledge.
I may have been the only living person in the tiny space, but it was cramped with my spirit friends. I hoped no one else needed to use the facilities.
After checking under the stall, I said, “I thought you were leaving. Following me in the car, and then to dinner is not what you agreed to do.”
“You’re beautiful when you’re angry.” Anthony leaned against the counter.
“He’s got a little crush on you,” Mae said.
Seth scowled.
“Stop it, Anthony. I don’t want to hear how beautiful you think I am. No matter how flattering it may be, I want you to leave me alone. You’re dead and I’m alive. No offense, but I think you’d like any woman who was alive.”
Mae smiled and said, “We have nothing else to do, doll. Besides, now that I’ve seen that hunk of a man you’re with, I think I’ll stick around.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “You can’t beat that kind of scenery. This one is gorgeous.” She pointed at Anthony. “But now with your friend, I have two men to admire.”
Wonderful. Wouldn’t Callahan be thrilled to know a ghost had the hots for him, although I couldn’t say I blamed her. Then again, the ghost with the hots for him was Mae West. He’d probably find that kind of cool.
“Ms. West, listen to me. May I call you Mae?” Ms. West seemed so formal.
She nodded. “Just don’t call me anything worse.”
“Oh, of course not.” Maybe I should stick with Ms. West; she was a little intimidating. “I know we’ve only just met and, pardon me for saying, but don’t you realize how many gorgeous men are on the other side? Just think of all of them. Elvis Presley, James Dean, and what about Cary Grant, you liked him, right?”
She folded her arms in front of her ample chest. “I’d rather stay here.” I glanced around the tiny bathroom. Flowery paper covered the walls—cream with pink roses.
Nearby was the pedestal sink and toilet stall. “Yes, a public restroom is just where I’d want to spend my afterlife,” I said sarcastically.
She scowled, a line forming between her brows. It was the first time I’d seen that expression from her. I had a feeling I didn’t want to piss Mae West off.
Anthony chuckled. “You are a feisty one. I find that extremely sexy.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Larue, tell me, would you date me if I were alive?”
“Would I date you?” I snorted.
“Oh, come on. If I were alive? It’s a simple question to answer.”
“Okay, what do you want to hear? Yes, I’d love to date you. You are so handsome. I’m crazy about you.” I rolled my eyes. I’d say almost anything to get him to shut his trap.
“Be still my non-beating heart,” he said while clutching his chest.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, enough with the flirting already. I don’t want to hear how sexy you think I am. You love women, I get it.” I gave a heavy sigh, exasperated. Ordinarily I’d enjoy compliments from the opposite sex, but not when coming from a spirit who I wanted away from me. Far, far away.
Seth remained quiet, huddlin
g in the corner. He drank in every word of the conversation. I almost felt the anger waving off him, like steam spewing out from his pores. For a moment, we were silent. Tension dangled in the air. We exchanged glances—all looking from one to the other.
“I give up.” I threw my hands up and stormed out the door.
Letting out a deep breath, I tried to regain my composure before I rounded the corner and Callahan saw me. When I made my way from the hallway, our table was empty. Our glasses of water remained on top and his chair was pulled away from the table. Where had he gone? I scanned the restaurant, but didn’t see him. I slid back onto my chair, hoping none of the other patrons noticed me.
No such luck. Every eye in the place watched me. Obviously, these people didn’t care for strangers. The waitress plopped our plates down on the table, setting one in front of me and the other in front of Callahan’s vacant seat.
She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear that had come loose from her ponytail. “Can I get anything else for you?”
“No, I think we’re fine.” I glanced around. “Have you seen the man who was with me?” I pointed at the empty chair.
Before she answered, movement out of the corner of my eye drew my attention away from her. Callahan emerged from the hallway where the restrooms were located. My stomach fell. Had he heard my one-sided conversation? Could he hear from the men’s room? Assuming that’s where he’d been. Of course he’d been in the men’s room. Where else? Had my voice carry over from the ladies’ room? Oh please God, let the walls be soundproof. He’d think I was talking to myself.
Callahan pulled out his chair and sat without saying a word, a disappointed look on his face. The air seemed a bit breezy, and this time it wasn’t because a ghost was hanging around. Was I getting the cold shoulder suddenly? I knew it. He had heard me and now thought I needed to be measured for a little white jacket and a butterfly net.
I met his gaze. His expression remained unreadable. “The burgers look good. Do you need ketchup?” Acting as if nothing was wrong was my strategy. But would it work?
Callahan picked the top bun off his burger. “Sure, ketchup would be great.” He took the bottle and gave a half-hearted grin. “So um, someone thinks you’re beautiful and sexy?” He shrugged his shoulders. “I mean, it’s no surprise because you are. But…I didn’t think you had a boyfriend.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but he continued.
“I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, and I don’t want to be involved with someone who is already in a relationship. I mean, I know things started out rocky for us because of Brianna, but I thought we’d started over?”
If the ghosts weren’t already dead, I’d kill them. It was all that James Dean wannabe’s fault. I should have been more careful and watched what I’d said. The idea of Callahan overhearing me never crossed my mind, obviously, or I wouldn’t have said a word to those irksome ghouls. I wasn’t their babysitter. Why I hadn’t let the ghosts roam around the restaurant, I wasn’t sure. That’s what I got for wrangling them into the restroom and trying to help a soul out.
Heck, they may have even gotten so bored they would have run screaming into the light. But no…I had to be Miss Fix-it. Always trying to lure the spirits to the other side. They always made it look so easy in the movies…it wasn’t.
My mind raced for a reasonable answer. All the while, Callahan watched me, waiting for a response. I needed to jab myself with the fork to cause a distraction. Anything. Something. Someone save me.
Callahan placed his hands on top of the table, almost in position to help himself stand, no doubt to walk out on me if I didn’t provide some sort of an answer soon.
Finally my mouth moved. “It’s not what you think.”
“No, then what is it?” His tone was calm as he pushed his plate away. His gaze fixed on mine with expectant eyes.
Dinner ruined. I was at a loss for words. No logical explanation entered my brain. My nickname should be brainless. I couldn’t let a misunderstanding come between us, though.
“I’m in a play,” I blurted out.
Did they sell duct tape in bulk? ’Cause I needed it. Using it on my mouth was the only way to stop my stupid responses. In a play? What was I thinking? I didn’t know the first thing about acting, and not a whole heck of a lot about plays. What details would I provide? I had none. And surely Callahan would ask.
“A play?” He quirked an eyebrow. “What play? Where?”
See, there you go, he had asked. I knew he would. There were no plays in Magnolia. Well, other than the upcoming kindergarten class. Mindy’s niece was in it, I didn’t think he’d believe that I had a part.
Chapter Seven
My cell phone rang, the theme from Ghostbusters bouncing off the walls. The room full of locals glared. I didn’t blame them. I knew how annoying a cell phone in a public place could be, but at that moment, I was grateful for the distraction from the topic at hand.
I snatched the phone from the confines of my purse and flipped it open. I wanted to kiss whoever was on the other end of the line.
“Hello,” I whispered. Being discreet at that point was moot, but I’d make an attempt.
“How’s it going?” Mindy asked.
Why was she calling me when she knew I was on a date? Probably because she knew my track record.
“Not so good.” I avoided Callahan’s gorgeous stare.
“What? Is he still acting weird? I thought the spell was broken?”
“It is.” I glanced his way. He probably knew I was talking about him.
Callahan watched me as he popped a couple of French fries in his mouth. At least he was eating, did that mean he believed my story? “Listen, I can’t talk right now.” I turned my head and covered my mouth with my free hand. “I can’t believe you called me while I am on a date.”
“I’m your best friend. I’m allowed.”
“If you don’t hang up now, you’ll no longer be my BFF.”
She snorted. “Yeah, right. Promises. Promises. Bye…wait, I almost forgot to tell you.”
“Yes.” I snorted.
“You’re not going to believe who I just met.”
All right, I confess, I was intrigued. “Who?”
“Brianna’s cousin.”
“What?” My voice rang out louder than I’d intended. “You’re kidding?”
“Would I kid about—”
“Oh, stop it. Dish.” Callahan still watched me, but I couldn’t help myself at this point. Yes, it was rude to be on the phone, but this was almost emergency info.
“He came into the studio looking for a gym.”
Mindy owned one of those pole-dancing studios. I’d embarrassed myself a number of times all in the name of friendship. The most embarrassing was when one of my grandmother’s friends attended the class and was infinitely better at working the pole than I was. Who knew a seventy-six-year-old could move like that? I guess seventy is the new sixty, or something like that.
“He? What is he doing in Magnolia?”
Callahan pretended to be interested in his burger, but I felt him watch me from the corner of his eye.
“He came to take care of Brianna’s business affairs.”
“That’s awfully fast, wouldn’t you say? I mean, how did he know to come here?”
“I don’t know, I didn’t ask him. I figured it was none of my business.”
None of her business, this coming from a woman who liked to use binoculars to spy every chance she got.
“He’s really nice. I think you’ll like him. He’s nothing like Brianna. And hot damn, is he good looking. God, what did we do to deserve two new gorgeous men in Magnolia? First Callahan, and now Cooper. He couldn’t believe all the evil things Brianna did.”
“While this is extremely interesting, I gotta go. We’ll talk about it later.”
I wanted to know every detail about this Cooper guy. I prayed he wasn’t into black magic, too. If only I could have chatted with Mindy longer, but a hunk of a man sa
t across from me. If anyone could help me fib my way out of the situation I found myself in, it was Mindy.
“Okay, but wait until you see him,” she said.
Without answering, I tossed the phone back in my purse, then set my bag on the floor next to me.
“Everything all right?” Callahan asked.
“Yes, that was Mindy just being nosy. Gotta love her.”
Callahan chuckled. “So are you going to fill me in on this play?”
Damn. I had hoped he’d forgotten my little fib. I stuffed French fries into my mouth like a chipmunk hoarding nuts for the winter. Another stall tactic. I needed to think of something quickly.
After I swallowed my mouth full of potatoes, I said, “My grandparents’ retirement village?”
Oh, brother. I probably shouldn’t have answered as if it were a question. Well, at least it was in another state so maybe he wouldn’t ask to watch me in this make-believe theater performance.
“In Florida?” He scrunched his brow.
I took a gulp of water from my glass, swallowed, then said, “Yes, they needed a younger actor.”
“And there wasn’t anyone closer?”
Geesh. What was with the twenty questions? “Well, I was going for a visit anyway.”
“What’s the play?” he asked.
Apparently, he was going for more than twenty questions. I shoved the burger in my mouth for a big bite. I needed extra time to think on that question. My date manners were shot all to hell, anyway. Might as well go for bust.
“Annie Get Your Gun?” Another question for an answer. I probably should have tried harder at soundly confident with my choice. My mind was blank, though. Only two plays crossed my mind and the other one was West Side Story. He probably wouldn’t buy either one. I could just see a bunch of seventy-five-year-olds doing the Rumble Scene.
“How are you going to practice with them when you’re in Kentucky?”
All right, we needed a change of topic, stat. Where were the ghosts when I needed them? Couldn’t they turn the lights off, or toss a tray of food for distraction? Something? Anything? Couldn’t they throw me a bone?
