02 Ghouls Night Out - Larue Donavan

by Rose Pressey

  A few people ambled up and down the sidewalk. When I’d almost given up on seeing her, she rounded the corner, bouncing happily down the sidewalk. Unfortunately, the bag of doughnuts was missing from her hands. She must have forgotten which was unlike her. Oh well. I’d have to wait for lunch, although now I had an excuse to pop over to Callahan’s shop for a little treat…a pastry, of course.

  My cell phone rang and I pulled it from my pocket, continuing to watch the outside activities.

  “Larue, it’s Mark,” the baritone voice said.

  Please tell me he wasn’t calling to say there were more ghosts. I refused to go back and pick up anymore. “Hi, Mark, how are things? Does it seem any quieter?”

  “It’s hard to tell this early, but I wanted to warn you. I got a bad vibe after you left. I fear you may have taken the bad spirit with you.”

  He had no idea. I took the spirits with me all right, but the only bad I saw was Anthony’s constant flirting. If I had a demon on my hands, I’d have known it by now, wouldn’t I? Then I thought about the dark shadow in the woods. Maybe Mark was right about his feeling.

  It was probably only a coincidence but, just in case, I’d do a cleansing of my house and bookstore soon. I wouldn’t worry Mark by telling him the ghosts were with me now.

  I moved my position at the window for a better view of Mindy. “I think everything will be fine, but I appreciate your concern. You know me, I keep doing what I do. How are the homeowners?”

  “Grateful.” The worry still sounded in his voice.

  “Good. That’s the most important thing.” I tried to sound confident for him.

  “Yes, yes, it is. I have a customer, Larue. I’ll check on you soon,” Mark said.

  “You’ll call me if anything else happens?” I asked.

  “You know I will, but promise me you’ll be careful?”

  “I promise. Now stop worrying. You need to take a breather and relax for the rest of the week. You’re working way too hard.”

  “Ha, you’re one to talk. You never take a break. Besides, I have to work, and we have another case later this week. I pray that one will be something simple like bad plumbing.”

  “Call me if you need me.”

  “Will do.”

  I stuffed the phone back into my pocket, letting out a heavy sigh and praying he wouldn’t need me. Normally I jumped at the chance for an investigation, but now more than ever I needed to relax before taking on any more ghosts.

  Mindy had stopped at the paper stand on the corner, and was now making her way closer to Book Nook. Her curls bounced with every step she took. Imagine my surprise when she didn’t cross the street, but instead sashayed into Cooper's store. It seemed strange to call it Cooper’s after seeing Brianna hanging out in the window for so long.

  Mindy pulled the little bag of doughnuts from her gigantic purse. So she did have the doughnuts, after all. And Diet Cokes, too. I waved, but she didn't look my way as she walked through the door of High Fashion. What was she doing, anyway? She most certainly had a thing for Cooper. She could deny it all she wanted but, after many years, I knew by the look in her eyes.

  I decided to watch the interaction, instead of tending to my paperwork. Sure, I needed to mind my own business, but I was nosy. Mindy had taught me well. She’d have done the same thing. Where were her binoculars when I needed them?

  I spied for a few minutes, but couldn't see much from across the street. After a couple more seconds, curiosity got the better of me. I decided to lock up and go see what was going on over there.

  After grabbing my keys, I hurried outside and closed the door behind me. I flicked the sign to Closed and locked the door. There wasn’t a lot of traffic out yet, so I made my way across the street without getting smashed. Just a short time ago, I'd almost been run over by an out of control car, thanks to evil Brianna. Mindy had pushed me out of the way just in time before the car could hit me.

  I stepped onto the sidewalk. As I reached for his door, a vague unsettling feeling moved from my throat and nestled austerely in the bottom of my stomach. Why did I feel this way? I pushed the glass door open, and walked into the boutique. A tingling of jealousy hit my stomach when I saw them. Mindy and Cooper were at the counter, laughing, and chatting like the best of friends, eating the doughnuts and drinking my diet soda. What the heck was going on? My mouth hung open as I stared at the scene.

  “What's going on, y’all?” I asked, drawing their attention away from each other.

  “Oh, hi, Larue. I didn't see you come in. How long you been standing there?” Mindy asked.

  “Well, hello, gorgeous. I wondered how long it would take before you came to see me. What took you so long?” Cooper displayed his dazzling smile.

  What had taken me so long? He’d only been in town for a day.

  “Can I help you find something? I don’t know much about this girly stuff, but I can tell you what looks hot on a babe like yourself.”

  Ugh. Taking fashion pointers from him would be like taking advice from the teenage boys who came in the store to gawk over the Maxim magazine.

  “She could use a new outfit.” Mindy smiled and looked me up and down, then stuffed a bite of doughnut in her mouth.

  What was that once-over for? Nothing wrong with jeans and sweaters as far as I was concerned.

  When Mindy spotted my frown, she said, “I just stopped in to chat with Cooper. I didn't think you were in yet.”

  Um. I guess I could see where Mindy might think the shop was still closed. The board on the door window did cover part of the view. But she could have come over and checked first.

  “That's okay,” I said. My cheeks blushed. I felt a little stupid for jumping to conclusions. I should have trusted Mindy. “I'm starving,” I said, as I moved closer to the counter.

  “Oh, here are the doughnuts. Grab one.” She lifted the bag toward me—the now empty bag.

  I scrunched my eyebrows.

  “Oh, sorry about that,” Cooper said. “I guess I didn't realize I ate two.”

  “I can go get more,” Mindy offered.

  “No, no, that won't be necessary. I'll just get something from Full Cup. I want to stop in and see Callahan anyway.”

  “I'll be over in a second,” Mindy said. Was she trying to hurry me out the door?

  Cooper stood. He walked from behind the counter, sidling up next to Mindy. He draped his arm across her shoulder. “You should stay and chat.”

  Was I jealous? I hadn't been jealous in years. What was wrong with me? The tension twisted my stomach into knots.

  “Thanks for the offer, but I need to get back to the store. Thanks, anyway.” I waved over my shoulder, not turning around to see them stare at me. Because I knew they had to be gawking.

  I trudged out the door and made my way across the street. The welcoming atmosphere of Callahan's shop and his waiting arms would make me feel better. And a cherry pastry wouldn't hurt either. Plus, I could get my favorite chocolate-covered-cherry latte.

  Callahan made the best coffee I'd ever had. And I wasn't biased. I swear. All right, maybe a little. I opened the old door and sniffed the air. The rich aroma whirled around me and warmed my entire body. His coffee shop, Full Cup Coffeehouse, was cozy, like so many of the other stores along the main street in town. Right next door to mine. We shared the same historic building. Hmmm. That’s not all I’d like to share with him.

  Exposed brick walls were covered with prints of different style coffee cups and mugs. Oversized leather chairs were placed into groupings with cherry-wood tables in the middle. It was the perfect mixture of old and new. The intoxicating aroma of coffee swirled around the room, enveloping my senses with its strong scent as I approached the counter.

  Then I saw Callahan.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I was lost in the moment. Any woman could easily get entranced by his smile. Callahan swooped me up in a tight embrace. His body was pressed hard against mine. I ran my fingers through his hair. Our mouths danced together
, as we explored with our tongues. His kiss was full of passion, need, and want. Anyone could have come in his shop and we wouldn't have noticed. A fire could have been raging around us for all I knew. Heck, it felt like there were flames nipping at my heels, with all the heat coming off our bodies. A loud crash rang out from behind Callahan's head. We broke free. I stepped back with weak knees, sucked in a deep breath, and clutched my chest.

  “That scared the heck out of me,” I said breathlessly.

  The entire shelving behind him had come raining down, leaving paper cups, lids, and napkins scattered around the floor.

  The three ghosts stood a few feet away. I knew immediately who was responsible for the mess. Anthony was closest to the corner, attempting to look casual as he studied his fingernails.

  He could have disappeared and I wouldn't have known he had done it. But no, he wanted me to know it was him. He was jealous of Callahan.

  Anthony looked at me, shrugged, and then said, “I love you, my dear. I can't bear to see you in another man's arms.”

  I couldn't believe it. He was out of control.

  Callahan jumped back over the counter. His muscles bulged again under the restraint of his T-shirt. He was so sexy.

  “I have no idea how that happened. I guess the screws came loose.” Callahan studied the wall.

  “The screws are loose all right,” Anthony quipped.

  “Shut up,” Seth said.

  “Let me help you clean up,” I said, ignoring the ghost chatter.

  “Don't help him,” Anthony barked.

  “You stay out of it. If I weren't an old man and dead, I'd kick your butt. You leave my grandson alone, you understand me?”

  “Calm down, grandpa. I didn't hurt him. But he doesn't own her. It's up to her who she wants to be with.”

  I wanted to tell him that wasn't a dilemma he should be worried about. Dating him wasn’t an option. There was only Callahan.

  Seth shuffled closer to Anthony. “I'm warning you. Stay out of their business.”

  “Why don't you stay out of Larue's business? She doesn't need you meddling around.” He leaned against a table, crossing his feet in front of him.

  “Larue, a man’s kiss is his signature,” Mae said. “And I like the way he signs his name.” Mae displayed her usual cheekiness. She ignored the men’s fighting, instead deciding to focus on the steamy scene between Callahan and me.

  I couldn't stand the arguing. But I couldn't yell for them to shut up, either. And they knew it. I'd have to endure the bickering.

  “You don't have to help,” Callahan said. “You have enough to worry about with your shop. I have it under control.”

  “Let me help, it's the least I can do after you fixed my door.”

  “It was nothing, only a board.” He hoisted the wooden shelf from the ground.

  “Well then, this is nothing.” I gestured toward the mess as I reached for a package of cups. “We'll pick up the mess, and then you can hang the shelf back. Luckily, it doesn't look like anything is broken.”

  “Thankfully, I just had paper cups up here. Imagine the mess if these were real cups instead of paper?”

  I picked up packages of lids and cups, stacking them on the counter while Callahan did the same. So much for breakfast and coffee this morning, thanks to Cooper and my ghosts. I thought things would settle down after the mess with Brianna. Whom was I kidding? Once again, stress overwhelmed my life.

  After everything was up from the floor, Callahan said, “You go open your store. I'll repair the shelf and then bring you coffee. And how about a cinnamon roll, too?”

  Had he read my mind or what? “That sounds perfect. You sure you don't need help, though?”

  “I'm positive. Now scoot.” He leaned down and planted a soft kiss on my lips, then patted me on the rear.

  That was dangerous territory. I'd have to drag him to the ground and have my way with him. Damn he was sexy. Did I say that already? He must have read my mind because he blushed just a little bit.

  I grinned all the way out the door. With a spring in my step as I walked past the window, he gave a wink. I liked the playful side of him and I hoped to see more of it. I didn't even look at Anthony or Seth, they were too busy arguing anyway. Men. They're the same living or dead.

  The smile was wiped off my face when, as I unlocked the door to Book Nook, I glanced over my shoulder at the boutique. Mindy and Cooper still sat perched at the counter, savoring the remnants of the doughnuts that should have been mine. My doughnuts. I wasn't bitter though, oh no, not me. Anyway, I would ignore Mindy's temporary insanity and finish my work for the day.

  I couldn't wait until the repairmen came to replace the glass in the door. The board looked awful. As if it were a huge billboard that read: Crime takes place in this store. What person would want to shop in a store that could be vandalized at any minute?

  Chapter Eighteen

  After work, I’d trudged home exhausted by the latest crazy events in my life. I’d just settled down with a sandwich and a magazine to browse through when a knock rattled the front door.

  “Who could that be?” I looked at Seth and he shrugged his shoulders.

  I eased over to the door like a skittish cat ready to run at the slightest sign of danger. After all the recent chaos, who could blame me? When I peered out the window, I saw Callahan’s gorgeous face.

  When I opened the door, he said, “I thought maybe we could just talk since we didn’t get much of a chance on our date last night.”

  “We didn’t, did we? I’m really sorry about that.”

  “No need to apologize. After all, I agreed to go with you on the investigation, and you can’t help the other things that happened.”

  Couldn’t I? Maybe if I left this crazy ghost chasing life behind, things would be more normal. I was just asking for trouble by going to haunted locations. I should stay far away from anywhere a ghost may be as possible. It was bad enough that sometimes they tracked me down. I didn’t need to seek them out.

  Callahan held his picnic basket in one hand, and a blanket in the other. It was one of those cute picnic baskets with the red-and-white checked tablecloth stuffed inside. I had no idea he was so detail-oriented to think of such particulars. He was really getting use out of that thing. It seemed like forever since we’d been on a picnic in the park for the summer concert. Had it really only been two weeks? I looked down at his hands.

  “I guess you’re wondering why I’m holding this.” He lifted the basket.

  I nodded. “The thought had crossed my mind.”

  “Oh, come on. Who does this guy think he is? You’re not falling for this malarkey, are you?” Anthony stood behind me.

  If there was any way to shut Anthony up permanently, I needed to find it. I would so get him later. Okay, who was I kidding, I couldn’t get rid of the guy. He refused to move on.

  “Don’t fall for the nice guy act. He just wants to get you into bed.”

  Okay, that comment was completely uncalled for…Callahan was a complete gentleman.

  “How about a picnic?” He gestured with the basket.

  “But it’s dark outside,” I said.

  “Grab your jacket and we’ll go right outside on your lawn and have a night picnic.” He motioned over his shoulder. “The weather is so nice for this time of year, I figured we should take advantage of it.”

  This was about the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for me. Scratch that. It was the most romantic thing. I guess it wouldn’t take much to make it to the top of that list, though. Considering most of my previous dates thought it romantic to make out in the Dairy Queen parking lot after sharing an Oreo Blizzard. I’d been offered that ever-so enticing option by a former date. I had turned down the offer. He seemed offended…go figure.

  “A night picnic?” I asked, still amazed at this man standing on my front porch.

  The outside light cast a faint glow over his strong features. But as his smile widened, I saw past those good looks and into the
spirit of Callahan. He was truly unlike any man I’d ever met. My stomach flipped at the thought. Giddy is what my grandmother called it. He made me positively giddy. I’d never felt that before.

  “Let me get my jacket,” I said, bouncing back through the door and down the hallway.

  Anthony followed along beside me. “You’re not falling for this lame attempt at romance, are you? I didn’t think you were that big of a sucker.”

  “Buzz off, you pesky ghost.” I swatted at him.

  “Oh, so this is how it’s going to be? As soon as he shows up, I don’t exist.”

  “Look, Anthony, in most people’s world you don’t exist, so you’re just going to have to deal with it.” I grabbed my jacket as Anthony stood there silent, obviously contemplating my words.

  Thank heavens for small miracles. I think that was the first time he’d shut his trap since I met him.

  “Fine,” he said, from over my shoulder as I made my way back to the door.

  I knew it was too good to last. He couldn’t not talk; he must have the last word.

  “Why can’t you be more like Callahan?” I asked.

  “I’ve had it with that guy,” Anthony fumed.

  I slammed the door in his face before I heard something else that he’d regret.

  Callahan spread the blanket across the lawn near a tree in the front yard.

  “I figured since our date was cut short last time we tried a picnic, we should have a do-over,” he said.

  “I like the way you think.”

  I smiled and he laughed.

  The stars twinkled above as I stretched out on the blanket. Callahan set the basket down.

  “So what’s in there?” I peeked inside at the contents.

  “Just a few snacks…cheese, crackers, and wine.”

  “Sounds perfect.” The tingly feeling in my stomach was out of control.

  “Crazy last few days, huh?” Callahan smiled. “I’m glad the spell is gone.”

  “Me too. I’m still trying to grasp what really happened.”

  “I’m ready to get on with my life and put that ugly period behind us.” He lifted the cork out of the bottle.