“Because there was no danger and that’s my job,” Harper replied simply. “You were busy. Zander was sleeping in. Instead of bothering him and Shawn – which I would’ve done if I didn’t leave the house – I decided to be productive. I felt better after helping Ezra. I refuse to apologize for that.”
Jared pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t want you to apologize. It’s just … I thought you might be upset about going there by yourself. I know you’ve been struggling with what Gary told you. You don’t have to hide that from me. Anyone in your position would be upset.”
“It’s not that I feel upset as much as I feel guilty.” Harper chose her words carefully. “I know you’re going to say I didn’t cause Maggie’s death – and I get that – but I still feel guilty. I can’t get around those feelings because they’re a part of me. Maggie only died because Gary was confused and thought she looked like me.”
“Maggie died because Gary is a sick man,” Jared countered, forcing Harper’s eyes to him by tilting her chin. “Gary is dying and wanted to take it out on someone. We’ll never know if the brain tumor confused him to the point where he really thought the ghosts were a byproduct of the tumor or if he was simply looking for a reason to justify his actions.
“What happened that night in the cemetery is not your fault and I’m going to be angry if you blame yourself,” he continued. “You didn’t cause it to happen. Maggie was at the wrong place at the wrong time. It could be argued that it wouldn’t have happened if she didn’t get drunk and decide to meet Danny there to talk about their potential bank robbery.
“By the way, we talked to Danny again today and asked why he conveniently forgot to mention he was supposed to meet Maggie that night,” Jared said. “He said that he forgot and didn’t bother to head over there because he thought Maggie would be otherwise engaged. I’m not sure if I believe that, but I have to think he would’ve stepped in if he showed up and realized she was being attacked. Of course, with this group, that could simply be wishful thinking.”
“Will anything happen to him?” Shawn asked.
Jared shrugged. “I don’t know. We’re leaving that up to the prosecutor. That whole little group had bad intentions, but they never got so far as to actually launch a plan.”
“Heather did,” Zander reminded him. “She had sex with Mark.”
“She did, but Mark didn’t share any information with her and she never got as far as drugging him and stealing his key,” Jared responded. “I mean … she didn’t even get as far as researching drugs to knock him out. It’s all a slippery slope. Where does intent meet action?”
“You’re just glad you’re not going to be a part of it going forward, aren’t you?” Harper queried.
“I am glad that I can focus on you and put this ugly mess behind us,” Jared agreed. “We have a party tonight – where I believe I’m going to sneak a dance or two with my pretty fairy – and then tomorrow I have people coming over to start taking the furniture out of the new house.”
Harper brightened considerably at the news. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise.” Jared’s grin was lazy. “After that, I thought we could have a nice lunch together – I’ll treat – and then we’ll start seriously considering paint colors.” Jared extended a finger when Zander opened his mouth. “Pink is off the list for the kitchen. Let it go.”
“You guys are absolutely no fun,” Zander grumbled as he folded his arms over his chest.
“That sounds like a good plan.” Harper rested the side of her head against Jared’s shoulder. “I do have one more question, though. After that, if we never talk about Gary again, it will be too soon.”
“Okay. Lay it on me.”
“Did Gary say why he chose to dump Maggie’s body so close to the Standish mausoleum? I mean … I thought for sure that had to be symbolic or something. Now I’m starting to wonder if it was simply a coincidence.”
“He didn’t admit to killing Maggie so I doubt very much he’ll ever explain why he picked that location,” Jared replied. “I don’t have an answer for you. We’ll probably never know.”
“He probably picked that spot because it was near the end of the tour,” Zander volunteered. “He was with us enough times to know where we ended things. That was a convenient location.”
“I guess.” Harper shifted so she could gaze into Jared’s worried eyes. “I’m okay. You don’t have to worry.”
“It’s my job to worry. That’s what happens when you love someone.”
“I don’t feel guilty the way you think I feel guilty,” Harper clarified. “I’ll always wonder what could have been, though. It’s not something I’ll be able to shake.”
“I don’t want you dwelling on it.” Jared was firm. “I want you to open yourself up to fun. You told me this is your favorite night of the year. You’re all sparkly and I’ve seen that costume in the bedroom. It has wings. You can’t have a bad time when you’re wearing wings.”
Harper finally mustered a real smile. “I plan on having a good time. I plan on stuffing my face with chocolate and wings. I also plan on dancing with a very handsome man.”
“She’s talking about me,” Zander interjected.
Jared ignored him. “I plan on having a good time, too. I guess it’s good we’re on the same wavelength. I’m more worried about tomorrow than today, though. You’ll be busy tonight. I don’t want you changing your mind and starting to blame yourself tomorrow. Can you promise me that won’t happen?”
Harper nodded, solemn. “I promise not to blame myself. Besides, I won’t have time. It’s a brave new world and there are always ghosts out there who need help. I need to focus on them rather than myself.”
“That sounds easier said than done, but I’m going to let it go … for now.” Jared gave her a soft kiss. “We have a house to focus on, too. That’s something to look forward to.”
“That’s definitely something to look forward to.”
“I think you should look forward to the pink kitchen,” Zander pressed. “That will make everyone feel better.”
“Don’t make me rope and hogtie you,” Jared warned. “I’m this close to doing it.”
“Promises, promises.”
The group dissolved into laughter, happy in the moment to simply be together. Trouble would come again, but for now, they were safe and happy. They couldn’t ask for more than that.
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Acknowledgments
I’m a romantic at heart. A true romantic. I love the idea of a happy ending, so much so I have trouble writing a sad one. The world is sad enough. I like escaping in fiction. That’s just me. I like sarcasm and snark – but I’m not sure a sad ending is in me. If you’re looking for an edge like that, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. Just FYI.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Books by Lily Harper Hart
Hardy Brothers Security
Deadly Intentions
Deadly Intuition
Deadly Illusions
Deadly Proposal
Deadly Prospects
&nbs
p; Deadly Ever After
Deadly Honeymoon
Deadly Questions
Deadly Addition
Deadly Vacation
Deadly Secrets
Deadly Storm
Deadly Dealings
Deadly Christmas
Deadly Desperados
Deadly Arrival
Deadly Rivalry
Deadly Memories
Deadly Adventure
Deadly Reunion
Deadly Conflicts
Deadly Payback
Deadly Waves
Deadly Forever
A Maddie Graves Mystery
Grave Homecoming
Grave Insight
Grave Delight
Grave Misgivings
Grave Concerns
Grave Discovery
Grave Decisions
Grave Seasons
Grave Holiday
Grave Haunting
Grave Paths
Grave Danger
An Ivy Morgan Mystery
Wicked Days
Wicked Dreams
Wicked Times
Wicked Places
Wicked Warning
Wicked Fog
Wicked Season
Wicked Winter
Wicked Hearts
Wicked Wishes
A Harper Harlow Mystery
Ghostly Interests
Ghostly Issues
Ghostly Deceits
Ghostly Worries
Ghostly Images
Ghostly Wrecks
Ghostly Asylum
Ghostly Tricks
A Rowan Gray Mystery
Welcoming Seas
Murky Seas
Stormy Seas
Sunken Seas
Choppy Seas
Crossovers
Wicked Ghosts
Ghostly Distress (A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 9) Page 20
