Ghostly Charms

by Lily Harper Hart

  “I figured you would have Zander stand up for you. That makes sense.”

  “Yes,” she bobbed her head perfunctorily. “The thing is, you don’t have any friends. Who are you going to have stand up for you? Do you have friends back where you grew up or something? If so, you’ve never mentioned them.”

  Jared was caught off guard. “Oh, well ... .” He furrowed his brow as he considered his conundrum. “Well, crap. I mean ... I have friends. I don’t want you to think I don’t have friends.”

  “You’re a friendly guy,” Harper offered helpfully. “Of course you have friends. I’ve simply never met them.”

  “That’s because I don’t really have any on this side of the state.” Jared turned rueful. “I didn’t think about it before, but you’re right. I’ve let my older friendships lapse because I’ve been obsessed with my new life. That’s probably not a good thing.”

  “I think it’s a good thing for me.”

  “Yes, because you’re what I’m obsessed with most.” He pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “I’m really going to need to think on this. I need to come up with two people to stand up for me.”

  “Which shouldn’t be hard, but you really are a loner.”

  “No, it’s not that. It’s just ... you’re my best friend. You can’t stand up for me, though, because you’re marrying me. That means I need to figure out something else.” He looked genuinely flummoxed. “I guess I could ask Shawn ... and maybe Mel.”

  “You think on it.” She patted his arm as his phone dinged, her eyes narrowing. “You’re supposed to have the day off. The whole point was for us to spend the entire afternoon together and plot out the wedding. If you leave now, I’m going to call Zander to help and then we’ll both be screwed.”

  “Just calm down.” He reached into his pocket to retrieve his phone. “We don’t know what it is yet. Chill.”

  Harper watched, suspicious, as Jared answered the phone. She could tell right away that their plans were about to be shuffled to the side. That was part of the deal when you hooked up with a cop. And, to be fair, Whisper Cove wasn’t overly large, which meant the crime was sporadic rather than nonstop. Still, she was irritated.

  When Jared hung up, he looked concerned enough that she stowed her agitation.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, instantly alert. “My mother isn’t a suspect in another murder, is she? If so, I’m going to kill her. I mean ... like really kill her. She’s turning into an absolute nightmare these days.”

  “It’s not your mother, although I would never argue with the nightmare stuff,” he replied. “The thing is, I’m going to have to go into work.”

  Harper had already resigned herself to that inevitability. “Yeah.”

  “I’m sorry.” He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss. “I promise I’ll make it up to you. Planning our wedding is important. I won’t fall down on the job.”

  “I know you won’t.” And, because it was true, Harper brightened. “What’s so important that you have to run out right away? It’s not a murder, is it?”

  “Actually, it’s not. It seems Jason’s restaurant has been broken into, though, and he’s requested my presence.”

  Harper was taken aback. “You’re kidding.” She tried to prop herself up on her elbow but fell through the netting on the hammock, causing Jared to grin. “It’s not funny.”

  “It’s totally funny.” He nipped her lip. “I don’t want to leave you, Heart, but I have no choice.”

  “Actually ... maybe I can go with you. I mean, Jason is my friend. Nobody died or anything. I want to talk to him about having the reception at the restaurant anyway, so it’s good timing.”

  “You know what? I don’t see why that would be an issue. You can come. Maybe, if you’re with me, Mel will only make me work for an hour or so and then we can go back to planning.”

  “That right there sounds like the second-best idea you’ve had all day … after hammocking, of course.”

  2

  Two

  The restaurant was one of the prettiest businesses in Whisper Cove. It was located on the beach, which meant it had a fabulous view. The owner, Jason Thurman, was usually easygoing and amiable — even though he liked messing with Jared when it came to Harper — but today he was frazzled.

  Mel Kelsey, Jared’s partner (who also happened to be Zander’s uncle), was already on the scene and trying to calm him down.

  “It’s just a broken window,” Mel noted as Harper and Jared strode into the restaurant. “Your insurance should cover it.”

  “Yes, but then my premium will go up,” Jason complained, his annoyance evident. “It’s better to pay for the window out of pocket than risk that. I already pay quite a bit because of my proximity to the water.”

  “I didn’t think about that.” Mel was apologetic. “It makes sense. It’s a pain, but I know a guy who can get it replaced for you today if you’re interested.”

  “I’m interested.” Jason sounded bitter about the necessity, but he knew better than looking a gift recommendation in the mouth. “I definitely need to have it fixed today.” He shifted his eyes to Harper as she moved closer to him. “You didn’t need to come. It’s not as if I was injured or anything.”

  “I wanted to make sure you were okay,” Harper supplied. “When Jared told me what happened, I thought it was best I come with him. Besides, I wasn’t doing anything else.”

  “Actually, we were planning our wedding,” Jared said, eyeing Mel pointedly. “I told you I was taking the day off.”

  “Yes, but I thought you would want to be involved since this is the only ongoing case we’ve got right now. Sue me for being a diligent cop, why don’cha?”

  Jared rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

  “Wait ... what ongoing case?” Harper asked, curious. “You didn’t mention a case.”

  “That’s because it’s not a big case,” Jared replied. “It’s a bunch of small, petty cases.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Break-ins,” Mel supplied. “Several of the local businesses have reported overnight break-ins, and most have the same issue as poor Jason here. A window was broken out to allow people entrance, although there are usually very few items reported missing. Have you noticed anything missing, Jason?”

  Jason shook his head. “No, but I haven’t really looked. I called you first thing when I noticed. We’re not open for breakfast so I don’t usually bother coming in until after ten. I open the restaurant and handle the previous night’s receipts before the lunch crew shows up.”

  “Does anyone else have keys?” Jared queried.

  “Yeah. Three members of the night staff and two of the cooks. There are times I can’t be here to open because I’ve got other things going on. It’s rare, but it does happen.”

  “And what time did you close down last night?”

  “Actually, we closed at nine o’clock. That’s normal for mid-week nights, though, especially before the summer season gets into full swing.”

  “And what time did your staff leave?”

  “I don’t know for sure. They always have clean-up duties. I can’t imagine them being here after ten, though. I can call the night manager and ask.”

  “Do that,” Mel instructed. “We need a timeline. The thing is, we haven’t gotten any leads on this so far. All we know is that all the break-ins happen after dark and very little is taken. I need you to check the register and make sure all the money is there.”

  “We don’t keep money in the register overnight.” Jason moved in that direction. “The night receipts are dropped in the deposit chute at the bank. The only money kept here is the start-up bills. You know, change and some ones and fives for people paying cash, which is becoming more and more infrequent. At most there’s fifty bucks in change in my office.”

  “Still, if we’re dealing with kids, that might seem like a lot of money to them,” Jared noted.

  “Kids?” Jason’s eyebrows winged up. “You think kids di
d this?”

  Jared shrugged. “It seems like petty mischief to me. The craft store was broken into, too, and the only things taken were some of those iron-on patches that kids use on jeans, a pair of knitting needles and a few magazines.”

  “Huh.” Jason disappeared through the door that led to his office, leaving Mel to turn his attention to Jared and Harper.

  “Since when is your girlfriend an official member of the Whisper Cove Police Department?” he challenged.

  Jared refused to rise to the bait. “She’s my fiancée, and she’s always a member of my team.”

  Harper made a face for Mel’s benefit, stuck out her tongue, and then moved closer to the shattered glass. “Whoever did this must’ve come up from the beach so as not to be noticed and smashed something against the glass once they reached the balcony. Do you know what it was?”

  “A big rock,” Mel replied, pointing to the item in question. It had landed underneath one of the tables. “We’ll take it in and process it, but I don’t know that we’ll get any fingerprints. We haven’t gotten lucky on that front so far.”

  “Which means the kids have watched television,” Jared said as he moved closer to Harper. “Watch the shattered glass, Heart. You’re wearing shoes, but I still want you to be careful. That stuff can be nasty.”

  “I’m fine.” She moved to the opening and peered out. “I take it he doesn’t have any cameras back here.”

  “No, but I’m going to get them,” Jason replied, strolling back into the room. He had a zippered pouch in his hand. “All the change is here. They lock it in the top drawer of my desk at night. I don’t have a safe. I haven’t needed one. I mean ... I guess maybe I should get one, but it seems like a large expense.”

  “And this has only happened once,” Jared noted. “I would wait. If it’s kids, they’ll get bored and move on.”

  “Unless they move on to worse things,” Harper countered, distracted by the glass. “I once read a story where a group of kids started with break-ins and turned to fires. We don’t want that happening here. It could get out of hand pretty quickly.”

  When nobody immediately responded, Harper slid her eyes toward the group of men. “What?”

  “That was a really dark thought, Harper,” Jared noted after a beat. “I think we should focus on happier things. For now, all that’s happened is Jason’s window got shattered. It’s a pain, but it’s not the end of the world.”

  “Yeah,” Jason smirked as Harper made a face. “I think I’ll survive. The money is still here. Mel knows a guy to help me fix the window so I shouldn’t lose too much money on the whole thing. I’ll get some cameras and install them on the back patio. I think it’s going to be okay.”

  “I’m not saying that’s what will happen,” Harper reassured them. “I’m just saying that it could happen.”

  “Because television taught you that,” Jared said, grinning. “If I didn’t already love you, I would fall helplessly right now because you’re so cute.”

  “Oh, geez.” Mel rolled his eyes in dramatic fashion. “You guys are officially sick. You need to stop this ... whatever it is. Flirting. Foreplay. It’s gross and it makes me want to vomit.”

  “Me, too,” Jason echoed playfully. “The mere thought of Jared and Harper being together makes me want to vomit.”

  “Don’t push me,” Jared warned, extending a finger. “Nobody thinks you’re funny.”

  “I think he’s funny,” Mel countered. “He’s also an ally. You guys are schmaltzy sick and I’m getting tired of it.”

  Jared knew his partner was more bluster than anything else so he ignored the admonishment. “Whatever. While we’re here, though, Harper and I would like to discuss something with you, Jason.”

  “Oh,” Jason perked up. “Are you breaking up? I’ll totally move into that new house with Harper. It’s not really my style, but I’m sure we can make it work. I knew she wouldn’t be able to fight her feelings for me forever. It’s meant to be.”

  “Yeah, I’m definitely going to thump you now,” Jared growled. “That’s not what we want to talk to you about.”

  “Although I appreciate the offer,” Harper teased. “We want to know if we can have our wedding reception here. We’re aiming for August and want to have the ceremony on the beach — weather permitting, of course — and were hoping we could rent out the restaurant for the reception. It wouldn’t be a big wedding or anything, but we want to know if it’s something you would even consider before moving forward.”

  Jason appeared surprised by the conversational twist. “Oh, well ... .”

  “Keep in mind that we’re getting married no matter what and it won’t matter if you don’t rent us this space,” Jared warned. “Don’t try doing anything cute.”

  “I can’t help it. Everything I do is cute.” Jason sneered at Jared before straightening. “You know what? We’ll make it work. What day of the week will you be getting married?”

  “On a Saturday,” Harper replied. “I know that’s your biggest day of the week and everything, but we would still like to make it work if we can.”

  “Given everything you’ve done for me, I guarantee we can make it work.” Jason shot her a wink before shifting his eyes to Jared. “Even if you are marrying the wrong man.”

  “She’s marrying the exact right man,” Jared countered, extending his hand. “Come on, Harper. Since we’re downtown, I’ll buy you lunch. Then we’ll head back to our hammock. That is, unless you need something else, Mel.”

  Mel shook his head. “I thought you would want to be involved in this because it’s the only thing we’ve got going on, but obviously I was wrong. Sorry to interrupt your day off.”

  “It’s fine.” Jared waved off the apology with his free hand. “It’s honestly not a big deal. We wanted to talk to Jason anyway. I’ll be back on the job tomorrow.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  AFTER STUFFING THEMSELVES ON corn chowder and sandwiches, Jared and Harper were only too happy to point themselves in the direction of home to finish their lazy day. They’d parked at Jason’s restaurant and walked to the diner, though, which meant they had to walk back. Since they’d eaten so much, it was a welcome event.

  “Why did you let me have that extra hunk of bread?” Harper complained, making a face. “Now I feel fat.”

  “You’re not fat.”

  “I didn’t say I was fat. I said I feel fat. My shorts don’t feel as if they want to stay buttoned.”

  He waggled his eyebrows in a flirty manner. “I think I can help you with that problem once we get home.”

  She snorted. “Yes, you’re good like that.”

  “I totally am,” he agreed. “I’m the best at that.” He nuzzled a kiss against her cheek, distracted by the body spray she wore. He was lost in his own little world until a shadow on the sidewalk caught his attention and he realized he was about to veer into a man. “Oh, geez. Sorry.” He snagged Harper around the waist and dragged her with him so there wouldn’t be an inadvertent collision.

  The man, who looked to be in his early thirties, chuckled as he watched them scramble to keep their footing. “It’s okay. I thought you might just run right over me there for a second because you looked to be in a hurry, but nobody was hurt.”

  “We were just distracted,” Harper offered, rueful. She felt like a bit of a dolt. “I really am sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Obviously you guys had something fun on your minds.” He winked before turning toward the storefront he’d been studying. “Before you leave, though, I’m thinking of repainting and thought a nice blue might stand out more than the tan. What do you think?”

  The conversational shift was so severe that it took Harper a moment to catch up. “Oh, well ... um ... I didn’t realize you bought the old hardware store.” She flashed a smile at the teenage girl who was standing behind the man, although it wasn’t returned. “I knew that someone was looking, but I hadn’t realized the deal was a foregone conclusion.”
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br />   “Actually, we just came from the closing,” the man replied. “Where are my manners, though?” He wiped his hand on his khaki pants and extended it. “I’m Ezra Porter. This is my sister Rain.” He gestured toward the morose-looking teenager. “We’re new to the area – only been here two weeks now – but looking forward to participating in the community. Isn’t that right, Rain?”

  The girl, who had long dark hair that hung well past her shoulders, merely shrugged. She had that bored teenager thing going for her, which Harper decided was a rite of passage and refused to hold it against her.

  “I’m Harper Harlow and this is Jared Monroe.”

  “Your boyfriend,” Ezra surmised.

  “Fiancé,” Jared corrected, although he was annoyed with himself when he realized how territorial it sounded. “I apologize for almost running into you. We don’t have a lot of afternoons off together and we’re planning a few things to take advantage of it. We’re not usually so obnoxious.”

  “Actually, if you listen to his partner, we are that obnoxious,” Harper countered, her eyes going back to the empty business front. “If you don’t mind me asking, what are you going to put in here? It’s not another hardware store, is it? A small space like this can’t compete with the Walmart that’s twenty minutes away.”

  Ezra chuckled. “No, it’s not a hardware store. It’s an art gallery. I thought, given the location and the number of tourists who come through, I might actually be able to make a go of it here.”

  “An art gallery?” Harper perked up. “That’s a cool idea. I’ve always wanted an art gallery in Whisper Cove. What kind of art are you going to be selling?”

  “It will be a mixture of things. Because of the proximity to the lake, I plan on focusing on watercolors to start but there will be a little something for everybody. I just have to get the building up to snuff as quickly as possible because summer is almost here and I don’t want to miss my first real window.”