The Bridesmaid Earns Her Wings

by Heather Horrocks

  “Though,” Vic continued, “you’re going to have to be a bit patient. He is not there yet.”

  After Stacy’s reading was over, she and Dixie joined Amanda and Linda at the Zombie Den Café.

  As they sat down, Dixie smiled and nudged Linda. “So, do you want to go to Moonchuckle Bay to find true love, too? Since Amanda has already found hers she doesn’t need to keep looking, but it sounds like there are men to be had there.”

  Linda shook her head. “Where the heck is Moonchuckle Bay, anyway? She said it was in Utah, right?”

  Dixie shrugged. “That’s what she said, and that’s all I know. I’ve never heard of it.”

  Stacy was unusually quiet while they looked through the menu. After they ordered Gorified Burgers and Stench Fries, she turned to Dixie and declared, “I think we ought to go. It will be an adventure.”

  Dixie’s mind flashed to her grandmother’s parting words yesterday. Grandma had said, “Sometimes you have to trust in life.” And she’d mentioned an adventure and good luck. She hadn’t known what Grandma meant about the trust and she guessed she still didn’t totally. But she decided to trust the feeling she’d had when she looked into the psychic’s eyes. “Okay. Why not? A road trip would be fun.”

  Stacy turned to Linda. “Want to join us?”

  “I wish.” Linda frowned. “But I’ve got to be back to work on Tuesday.”

  Stacy turned to Amanda, who shook her head. “I have a bridal shower put on by my sister-in-law on Wednesday. There’s no way I can miss it.”

  Stacy put her arm through Dixie’s. “We’re going to go.”

  Dixie sighed. “Do you know what my mother will say?”

  “Nothing.” Stacy’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “If you don’t tell her.”

  “You’re very naughty.” Dixie stared at her best friend. Slowly, they both began to smile, and Dixie said, “That’s an excellent idea.”

  Stacy pulled out her phone. After a minute of clicking, she said, “Moonchuckle Bay in southern Utah is about a five-hour drive from Vegas. This is a perfect time for me to go. No more school—” since she’d just graduated “—and I don’t have a job lined up yet. Besides, I’m not ready to go home yet. We live in the least magical place in the world.”

  “Hey!” Amanda protested. “Wamego is magical. Where else can you go to an Oktoberfest-type celebration with an Oz theme?”

  “Yeah. OZtoberFest is great,” Linda chimed in. “I mean, really. And what about the Yellow Brick Road Bike Ride? Come on. Magic everywhere.”

  Dixie laughed as her friends defended the town they’d all longed to leave. At least her friends had escaped to attend college. Dixie’s mother had insisted she do online classes. “Wamego is indeed magical. Where else could you find the Oz Museum, the Oz Winery, and Toto’s Tacoz, all in the same town?”

  “I haven’t found my soul mate, oh, excuse me, my lifemate there yet, though.” Stacy said. “I’m willing to leave magical Wamego and go to magical Moonchuckle Bay.”

  Dixie paused. Finally she nodded, throwing caution to the wind, and the thrill of it washed through her. She’d let her mother’s paranoia rule her life for too long. It was time to strike out on her own, beginning with this road trip. “All right. Let’s go on an adventure to find true love!”

  “Okay.” Stacy put her hand up and they exchanged a high-five. “Let’s leave first thing in the morning.”

  Dixie nodded. “What about our flights back?”

  Stacy shrugged and pulled her phone back out. “I’ll cancel our flights and we can rent a car.”

  “You girls are crazy,” Linda said, laughing. She lifted her glass of Ghoulish Ginger Ale. “A toast to the crazy women finding true love.”

  Give the Vampire a Cigar

  MICHAEL MURPHY STIFLED A YAWN. His client wouldn’t find the proof of his boredom amusing at all.

  The client sat on the other side of Michael’s desk, in one of the two armchairs. His opacity was currently unstable; he kept fading and reappearing like an adjustable light with a short in it, depending on the level of anger flickering through him at any given moment.

  Michael hated dealing with ghosts, mainly because there wasn’t much he could do for them legally. He felt sorry for the man, but all he could do was listen.

  The ghost — Edward — said, “I want to sue them. They came right in and exorcised me. Just like that. Without so much as a by-your-leave.”

  Sympathetic, Michael forced himself to patience. “Did you have any legal rights to the old flour mill? How long were you there?”

  “That’s been my home since supernatural pioneers settled this area of Utah. I was invited to help build the mill when I was still a human, and I worked there and lived there. And then after I was murdered, I stayed. It’s my home. They can’t just come in like that and kick me out of my home.”

  “The problem with this lawsuit, Edward, is that humans exorcised you.”

  “That’s exactly the problem. You’re finally getting it.” Edward glared at Michael and shook his hazy head. “I thought you were this really smart lawyer, but it’s taken you long enough to get it.”

  “And you’re a ghost.”

  “Give the vampire a cigar.”

  “Ghosts can’t sue humans,” Michael said flatly.

  “Well, that’s exceeding unfair. It’s a clear case of poltergeistism.”

  Before Edward could start another rant, Michael raised his voice. “Were there any non-humans involved? If so, I could help you sue them.”

  Edward closed his mouth and thought for a full minute, then shook his head. “No. Just humans. Lots of them. They want to turn the mill into a hotel.”

  “Couldn’t you choose another spot to haunt? I’d be glad to brainstorm other options with you.”

  “You’re marshing my mallow.”

  Huh?

  The door opened and Michael’s youngest brother, Isaac, poked his head in. “Oh, excuse me. I didn’t know you had a client. Edward, it’s good to see you.”

  Isaac winked at Michael at the hint of a ghost joke, and closed the door behind him.

  With a frown, Edward said, “Does he think he’s amusing? Because he’s not.”

  “I apologize for my brother. He’s still young.” A hundred years was young, right? “But the good news is that I may have a lead for you. There’s a historic building on the other side of town. The old city jail has been remodeled into a very nice bed and breakfast. I understand the ghost there moved on toward the light, and the occupants — a vampire and his wife — are missing their ghostly presence. Perhaps you’d like to try that.”

  Edward harrumphed and crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s mere gossip.”

  “I don’t listen to gossip, Edward. No, I heard it straight from the owner’s fanged mouth when I dropped in to say hello to my Aunt Cecily from Cincinnati, who was staying there for a few nights.”

  The door opened again. This time it was Michael’s father whose face appeared. “Edward, greetings. Will you allow me to speak with my son for a moment out in the hall?”

  The ghost scowled. “If I must.”

  Michael nodded toward his client as he stepped out into the hall. “Excuse me, Edward,” He pulled the door closed behind him. That wouldn’t keep the ghost from disappearing and coming out to eavesdrop if he wanted. Nothing except ghostly good manners would do that, and he wasn’t sure how many of those Edward had.

  His dad led the way to the smaller conference room across the hall. Once inside, Dad nodded. “I just wanted to tell you we’ve got the Emerson account, and it’s in large part due to your efforts. You’re doing great, son.”

  “Thanks.” Michael smiled at the praise.

  “You’re going to be great at my job when I retire.”

  “I’ve heard that before.” Michael shook his head ruefully. “I think the report of your retirement is as much of an exaggeration as those of Mark Twain’s death.”

  “I know, but this time I mean it. It will be
soon, son.”

  “You’ll retire when you can no longer walk into the courtroom — and since we’re vampires, that’s pretty much never.”

  His father laughed and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll celebrate the new account at Sunday dinner.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “And, son...?”

  “Yes.”

  “You just earned yourself a promotion.”

  Michael raised an eyebrow. His father didn’t issue promotions often. “Thanks.”

  “Now get back to work.” His father opened the door and left as Isaac stepped in.

  Michael looked at his brother in amazement. “I got a promotion. How did that happen?”

  “You earned it, bro. You’re an efficient know-it-all who gets things done. You’re far too analytical, intelligent, and sarcastic. And you also want to take the law firm in a different direction from the one our father wants. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled when he learns that, so you’d better take the promotion while you can.”

  Michael punched his brother in the arm.

  “Ow.” Isaac frowned. “You need to find your lifemate. You’re entirely too uptight. Definitely in need of a calming influence.”

  Ignoring the jab, Michael told his brother, “Dad said he’s retiring. Soon.”

  “Yeah. Whatever. You have a better chance of finding your lifemate than of Dad retiring, and we know the odds against that. You might as well buy yourself a lightning rod.”

  “Yeah. You need one, too.”

  “Don’t we all?”

  Edward poked his head right through the wall and said, “I’d like one, too.”

  Exasperated, Michael said, “This was a private conversation, Edward.”

  “What can I say? I’ve always had good hearing.”

  “I’ll be right back with you, Edward.” He waited until the ghost disappeared and then turned to his brother. “See you at five, Isaac.”

  Isaac said, “Did Dad mention that the first round of interviews are scheduled?”

  “No. He neglected to mention that.”

  They had to interview to find a new secretary to replace the one who’d decided to move to Las Vegas and work in their sister community, the Nightshade Hotel & Casino. And, since the secretary would be handling mostly his own caseload, he had a vested interest in the interviews.

  Shaking his head, Michael crossed the hall and returned his attention to Edward. “Now where were we?”

  The client floated six inches above the chair. “You were going to sue someone for me.”

  Michael heaved an exasperated sigh. “Edward, I’ve already explained that you can’t sue humans. I can help you in other ways.”

  With an angry sniff, Edward swirled his essence upward — and right across Michael’s desk.

  All the paperwork took to the air, most of it ending up on the floor as Edward disappeared through the wall.

  “Now I really don’t want to help you, Edward!” Michael called after him.

  A ghostly laugh sounded from the direction of the office manager’s desk, followed by a woman’s scream. Michael peeked out just in time to see all the papers on her desk flutter to the floor as well.

  She narrowed her eyes at Michael. “I sincerely hope you’re not going to represent him.”

  “I can’t. He doesn’t have a case. That’s why he’s so upset.”

  With a sniff, Peggy stooped and began picking up papers. Michael gave her a hand.

  Peggy looked to be in her late twenties but he knew she was nearly a hundred, and she’d never married, though Michael often wondered why. Not only was she an attractive woman, but she had a quick mind and an even quicker wit. They couldn’t run this place without her.

  When they had stacked everything haphazardly on top of her desk, she snorted. “If only I could bite him, I would.”

  Michael smiled at the bloodthirsty office manager, who was currently stomping back around the desk. “Sometimes you scare me, Peggy.”

  She flicked a wrist at him, showing him her palm. “Whatever. Get back to work.”

  “Can I get you a bottle of blood? A soothing Merl-O, perhaps?”

  “Forget it,” she snarled. “I’ll drain a tourist on my way home.”

  He started laughing. Sure, she would. Peggy was the equivalent of a vegan vampire. She didn’t even like to drink from animals. So for her to threaten to drain a human — the quickest way to get on the bad side of the supernatural law — was amusing. “Don’t let Sheriff Winston catch you.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t have minded getting caught by the sheriff until he let himself get caught by a human.” She fluffed her hair, and plopped back down into her seat.

  Still laughing at the sassy office manager, Michael went back into his office to straighten his own papers.

  When had he grown so bored with his life? Unlife. Whatever.

  “The Monster Movie Capital of the World, huh?” Stacy asked with a laugh. “That’s quirky enough that it kind of feels like home. Instead of the OZtoberFEST, what will they have? A Fangs-and-Fur-Fest? And that makes me wonder, would PETA object to the wearing of fur by were-creatures?” She shook her head. “I think we’re going to like this place.”

  “But what kind of lifemates are we going to find here?” Dixie glanced over her shoulder, then shifted over a lane and took the exit toward Moonchuckle Bay.

  “Spooky ones, apparently.” Stacy crumpled an empty bag that had formerly held red licorice, and tossed it into the back seat.

  They both laughed. They’d been slurping on sodas and eating junk food all the way from Vegas for over four hours, alternately listening to Stacy’s country western songs and Dixie’s classic rock and having a blast. And, since they never just tossed trash in the back, it felt just naughty enough to be fun.

  “Oh well, it’s been a lot of fun already. So we stay a few days, have some more fun, and then head home.” Dixie shrugged and glanced down. “We’re arriving on gas fumes. I’d better stop at a gas station.”

  “Oh, look. It’s a Philips 666. Get it?”

  She pulled over, and they crawled out and stretched.

  “I’ll pump the gas,” Stacy said, “while you go get us more treats.”

  “I’ll get something salty this time. I’ve had enough sweet already.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Dixie pulled the door open and stepped inside. Ahhh. The cool air felt good. She looked around to find the man behind the counter staring at her, his eyes wide.

  She smiled at him. “Hi.”

  “Hello,” he said, and bowed stiffly.

  Weird, but perhaps it was a local custom. So she bowed back. “Where are your potato chips?”

  He pointed toward the back. “Choose whatever you want.”

  “Thanks. I plan to.” She studied the selection, and finally grabbed two small bags, one of her favorite Lay’s Classic and another of Stacy’s Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. She also plucked out two cans of Diet Dr. Pepper. That ought to be good for a snack later this evening.

  She carried the goods back to the counter. A young girl stood next to the man and she bowed to Dixie, too.

  Dixie bowed back. Weird, but when in Rome, right?

  She set the cans and bags on the counter and reached for her purse.

  “No charge,” the man said quickly.

  Surprised, Dixie looked at the man. “Really?”

  He nodded. “Yes. Of course.”

  “Wow. That’s so nice of you. Thank you. Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Please remember me fondly to your family.”

  “Oh, I will. Definitely.” She smiled. “Where’s a good place to stay in town?”

  “The Wildwood Hotel is one block closer to town, at the intersection of Mane Street and Make Believe Boulevard.”

  “Those are great street names.” She smiled at them. “Thank you again for your generosity.”

  The man handed her a bag containing her food and drink. “Enjoy town, Princess.”

  H
e’d called her Princess — just like Vic had said people would do. Again, weird, but nice. “Thanks.” She nodded to the girl, who bowed again.

  Stacy was hanging the gas nozzle back in its place and grabbing her receipt.

  Dixie closed the distance. “Do I look Asian today?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Because everybody’s bowing to me.” She looked down at the bag of treats. “And they’re giving us free stuff. The guy refused to take my money for this.”

  Stacy raised her brows. “Too bad they still charged for the gas.”

  “Still, I think it was nice of them.”

  “You would.” Stacy climbed back in. “I guess your good luck streak is still going strong. I should have let you pump.”

  Dixie climbed behind the wheel again. As she pulled back onto the road, Stacy said, “Oh look! Those must be our lifemates!”

  It was a billboard with some creatures on it — a werewolf, a vampire, and a troll or something.

  “Nah. He’s too hairy.” Dixie shook her head. “And that one’s got long teeth.”

  “Better than most of the dates I’ve had recently.” Stacy sighed.

  “Like the last blind date you had who didn’t even have hair?”

  “You mean the sixty-year-old guy who tried to pass the picture of his grandson off as himself?”

  Dixie snorted, remembering how mad Stacy had been. “That would be the one.”

  A block farther up Mane Street, Dixie pulled into the parking lot of the Wildwood Hotel. “Wow. This place looks fabulous. I hope we can afford it.”

  Turning off the car, she looked up. This hotel wasn’t as large as the castle in Vegas, but it was just as imposing. It was a regal old building, probably on a historic register.

  Dixie reached for the door handle, but Stacy teased, “Better call your mom now, before we check in.”

  With a sigh, Dixie asked, “Do I have to?” But she knew it was inevitable. If she didn’t, her mother would get frantic and Dixie didn’t want her mother to be frantic. She was going to be upset enough just thinking they were still in Vegas. With a huff, she sat back down in the car, pulled out her phone, and dialed her mother.