Ghost for Sale

by Sandra Cox

  She glanced at the picture taken at the church picnic, Anna and William in the front row. “I’m assuming that’s her young man there, but I have no documentation to back it up.”

  “I think you’re right.” My heart melted as I gazed at the picture. Even given its age, you could still see the love for him in her eyes.

  I would reunite them. That was a promise.

  Determined, I turned to Ethel and held out my hand. “Thank you. You’ve been very helpful. I need to check records of births and deaths. I guess I’ll try the courthouse.”

  “Try the vital statistics office at the town hall, dear. Ask for Mary, I’ll let her know you’re coming.” Her thin fingers clasped mine in a surprisingly strong grip.

  I said good-bye and made a dash for my car. The door opened a nanosecond before I got there.

  “Thank you.” I didn’t bother to remind the ladies’ man it was a bit over the top for a car door to open by itself. Opening doors for women was as natural to him as breathing.

  We headed for the town hall. While not beautiful, the building had a quiet dignity about it not found in modern structures.

  I parked, then pulled the list out of my pocket. “We’re down to six: Bobby Johnson, Johnny William Smith, Ezekiel Daniels, Harley Snow, and Ulys Horntrop.”

  “What do you hope to find here?” Liam studied the building, his look pensive.

  “I’m not sure, just hoping to narrow the list. Maybe a marriage that we weren’t aware of, births, the same as before.”

  “Okay, let’s go in.”

  We walked in the door and looked at the listing of agencies and room numbers. I studied it till I found Vital Statistics. “One floor up.”

  We took the stairs, then turned left. On the right, Vital Statistics was painted on the glass door.

  A bell tinkled as I pushed through. A young woman, who didn’t look much older than me, spoke around a mouthful of gum. “May I help you?”

  “I’m looking for Mary.” I approached the counter.

  “That would be me.” She popped her gum.

  “Oh, hello.” Up until now, the women I’d met had been on the other side of seventy.

  “You must be Caitlin.” She studied me with open interest.

  “That’s right.”

  “What records would you like to see?”

  I pulled out my list of names and handed it to her.

  “Keep in mind Ruby Falls didn’t start keeping records till 1878.” She blew a large bubble.

  “Oh.” My tummy turned over.

  “I could probably help you with Ezekiel Daniels.” Mary leaned on the counter and studied the list.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, he was my great, great, great uncle and a Baptist minister.”

  Liam shook his head in disbelief. “Who’d have thought Ezekiel would become a man of the cloth.”

  “You don’t say. I’m assuming he married.”

  “Actually, no.”

  “No?” A chill crawled down my spine.

  “It was such a sad story. He’d fallen in love later in life. They were going to be married, but she caught scarlet fever and died.”

  The air went out of my lungs in a whoosh. Well, that let Ezekiel off the hook. “How sad.”

  “It is, isn’t it, and terribly romantic.” She studied the list. “The handwriting is amazing.”

  “Calligraphy.”

  “Cool. I’ve been thinking about trying it. Just have a seat, this may take a while.”

  My sandals clip-clopping, I walked over to the wooden bench and sank down. Liam drifted beside me. Wound up, he talked continuously. I made do with a discreet nod or an “Um-hum,” through my teeth.

  Mary came back a half hour later. “The only records I could find were on Ulys Horntrop. He married a twenty five-year-old girl when he was fifty and produced three children.” She shook her head. “Old geezer.”

  I agreed and held out my hand for the list. “Thanks a bunch.”

  “Just make sure I get a copy of the book,” she called as I walked out.

  I forced my grimace into a noncommittal smile.

  “Well, we’re down to four.”

  “Maybe,” he acknowledged.

  “We’re missing something, aren’t we?” I slid into the car as he opened the door, then slammed it.

  “I think so, but I have no idea what.” He glided in through the closed passenger window.

  I started the car. “Do you want to swing by and see William?”

  His face lit up. “Very much. Thank you.”

  “I don’t want another run-in with the nosy neighbor or with the men in that dark alley. How about if I park the next block over? I’ll walk slowly in front of the house to the end of the block and back. It won’t give you much time, but at least you’ll have a few minutes together.”

  “I’ll make do.”

  I parked a block away. A black lab started barking from the fenced-in backyard as I stepped out of the car. Liam materialized in front of it.

  Whimpering, it ran to the other side of the yard, its tail between its legs. Leaves rustled as a nearby squirrel leaned down from a leafy oak and chattered at the cowering dog. Liam came floating back. The lab stayed where it was.

  “Neat trick. You’re handy to have around.”

  “I’d like to see your human beaux do that.” He whistled a jaunty tune.

  “Beaux?” Enlightenment dawned. “Oh, you mean boyfriends? I don’t have any boyfriends. I occasionally go out with Clayton. And I’ve been out a couple of times with Patrick.”

  “Clayton is an arse.”

  A giggle escaped. “You’re right about that.”

  “Then why do you go out with him?” He glided beside me, his thumbs tucked into his waistband and his outlined defined.

  “Habit, I guess.”

  “It’s a habit you should break.”

  “Probably. Look we’re here. See you soon.”

  “Soon.” Poof. He disappeared.

  “Now you see him, now you don’t.”

  I continued at a sedate pace. The homes on the block were filled with flowers. I stopped and admired each one. I even complimented a woman who was on her knees digging industriously in the dirt around her roses.

  I turned back at the end of the block, afraid if I went any farther I’d yank Liam out like a puppet on a string. I halted in front of William’s house and watched a hummingbird stick his long beak into an azalea. When the tiny bird had drunk his fill, he flew away. I meandered to the car.

  The door opened. “Well that’s timing.”

  Liam didn’t respond. His features drawn, he looked haggard.

  “Liam?”

  “William isn’t doing well. He’s not caught in the vortex of grief that Anna is, but he carries a heavy load of depression. He feels trapped, like there’s no way out.” Liam looked at me. His eyes grew intense and his color came back. “I told him you’d figure this out, that you would save him and Anna.”

  And lose you. Our glances held. The same thought reflected in his eyes that I knew was in my own. My heart ached. It was a physical pain, as if it had cracked a little on the inside.

  What would I do without him? I love you, Liam. I bit my lip to keep from uttering the words. How had it happened? How had I allowed myself to fall in love with a ghost? I’d never been in love before, had no idea how deeply feelings ran, both hurtful and joyful. And Liam loved me too. I knew it, sensed it with every fiber of my being.

  I cleared my throat. “Well then, we’d better work on getting you into the light.”

  He nodded. I slid into the seat. He closed the door and glided in through the closed window on the passenger side.

  Neither of us talked as I merged into traffic. It must have been my preoccupation that caused me to miss the stop sign. Moments later, a siren whooped and lights flashed from a police car.

  “Crap.” I pulled over. “Dad’s going to kill
me.”

  Chapter 13

  I reached for my license and got my registration out of the glove compartment before I rolled down my window.

  “Ms. King.”

  Surprise jolted me. “Officer Atwell.”

  “You’ve got a different car.” He grimaced as he looked at my bug.

  What was it with guys and pink cars?

  “The other was my mom’s. Mine was in the shop.” I gave the dashboard a loving pat.

  “You look quite chic behind the wheel,” he said gallantly.

  He didn’t look half bad himself. If I hadn’t just discovered I was in love with a ghost, I would have been distracted by the long clean lines of him beneath his crisply pressed uniform.

  “I didn’t realize you were in town. I owe you a cup of coffee, remember?” He leaned his arms on the edge of the window.

  “I’m afraid I lost your number.” It seemed kinder to say than I’d forgotten all about him. If Liam hadn’t dropped into my life, I would have called him.

  He looked at his wristwatch. “I’ll be off duty in a half hour. How about that coffee?”

  “I wish I could, but I’ve got to be getting back.”

  “Can I call you?”

  “Does getting a ticket hinge on my answer?”

  “No. But you do need to pay more attention, although that overgrown bush does partially hide the stop sign.” He gestured toward a large bright-leafed pachysandra.

  “It does, doesn’t it?” I brightened.

  He leaned in closer. “Are you sure you can’t stick around till I get off work?” He had a persuasive smile.

  “I wish I could,” I prevaricated. I couldn’t deal with more testosterone right now, never mind that I had fallen in love with a ghost.

  “That’s twice now you’ve turned down a cup of coffee. Are you involved with someone?”

  I took a deep breath. “Yes, I am.”

  “Caitlin,” Liam whispered. His face held both triumph and sorrow.

  “Can I call you? I know you just said you were involved, but a little healthy competition won’t hurt whoever you’re seeing. And if I can’t win you away, I have no problem being friends with a beautiful woman.”

  My stomach muscles tightened. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. “We live more than two hours apart.”

  “Can I call you?” he persisted.

  I capitulated. “Of course, but don’t expect anything from me. Life is complicated right now.” I rattled off my cell number.

  His eyes flashed and his grin widened. “Fair enough.” He stood away from the car. “Drive carefully, Ms. King.”

  “I will, Officer Atwell.” I eased forward. He raised his hand in acknowledgement. I raised mine, then concentrated on traffic.

  “You collect beaux like a dog does fleas.”

  “That’s a terrible analogy.” Just thinking about it made me itch.

  “You can’t be involved with me.” He took a deep breath, his eyes widened, and his voice remained carefully neutral. “Unless you were talking about Patrick.”

  “It’s a little late for that don’t you think? And no, I wasn’t talking about Patrick.” It would be so much easier if I were.

  “Lass, what I have done to you?”

  “Stolen my heart I’m afraid.”

  We had little to say on the ride home, both of us lost in our own thoughts. It was an unusual experience. Usually we chattered like magpies. The quiet of the car was laden, like a storm brewing, thick with tension that sucked one’s breath right out.

  I flipped on the radio and turned it to the Celtic station Liam liked. He threw me a quick smile before he went back to staring out the window. The trip that passed so quickly the other day seemed to last forever. Finally, we reached home, and I pulled in the garage beside the Vette.

  “Don’t worry, you’ll have your life back soon.” Liam floated to the door and opened it.

  “That’s what worries me,” I whispered.

  As we walked into the kitchen, Marcy dashed from the living room. “Where have you been?” Before I could respond, she rushed on. “Guess what I bought? Wait. I’ll show you.” She ran into the living room and came back with something behind her back.

  “Ta da.” She pulled it out with a flourish. “A Ouija board.”

  “Oh my God.” I sank into the nearest chair.

  “It’ll be fun,” she enthused. “Of course, we’ll need to wait till it gets dark and light some candles.”

  “Of course.”

  Liam threw up his hands and shrugged.

  The ringing of my cell distracted me. Thank goodness. The Ouija board made me nervous. I picked up my purse, which I’d tossed on the table, and dug it out. “Hello.”

  “Hi, Caitlin.”

  Delight rose in my throat and bubbled out my mouth. “Hi, Patrick.” I might be in love with a ghost, but I liked a certain flesh and blood man…a lot.

  “What are you doing?”

  I walked into the living room and flopped down on the cushy couch. “I just got back from Ruby Falls.”

  “Research on your book?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Have you eaten yet?”

  “No.” I glanced at my watch, surprised to see it was nearly five o’clock.

  “Let me take you out then. Or you could invite me over and I’d bring a pizza.”

  “I can’t tonight. I’ve got plans with my cousin.” No way was I going to say it involved ghosts, candles, and Ouija boards.

  “How about tomorrow night?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you want to go out, or shall I bring over a pizza and a couple of movies?”

  “Pizza and movies sound great. About six?”

  “I’ll see you then.”

  I clicked off the phone just as the doorbell rang, then beat Liam to the door and opened it. A pimply face teen handed me a warm cardboard box. “Pizza delivery.”

  “Marcy, did you order a pizza?” I called.

  “Sure did. Pay him, will you?”

  I did as directed and took the box. The wonderful smells emanating from it made my knees weak. Pizza two nights in a row…couldn’t beat it.

  Caitlin walked in carrying a couple cans of Pepsi and napkins.

  “Pizza was a great idea.” I set the box on the coffee table and opened it. “Loaded. Yum.” Like Pavlov’s dog, saliva pooled in my mouth.

  “You bet. We’ll have a girls’ night. After the pizza we’ll play the Ouija board and maybe top off the evening with ice cream.”

  I took a bite of the steaming pie, briefly closing my eyes in ecstasy. “Okay,” I mumbled around a mouthful. After all, it was just a game. What could possibly go wrong?

  * * * *

  With a sense of impending doom, I helped Marcy light the candles. I kept repeating to myself, It’s just a game. It’s just a game.

  The little board that caused my heartburn—it couldn’t possibly be from the four slices of pizza I ate—had black letters in the center and numbers beneath the letters.

  Marcy turned out the lights.

  “Okay, let’s sit on the floor,” she suggested.

  I sat down and crossed my legs. She laid the board on our knees.

  The board tilted as I shifted my legs. “Shouldn’t we set the board on the floor?”

  “The chances of making contact are better if it rests on our knees.”

  “Okay.” The board jiggled as I moved closer.

  “You have to be careful. Dropping the planchette can release evil spirits.”

  “We wouldn’t want that.” I’d tried for sarcasm, but since I meant it, I didn’t quite pull it off.

  She placed the planchette on the board. “Now the first thing we ask is, ‘Ouija are you there?’ Are you ready?”

  I nodded.

  “Ouija, are you there?” The candles flickered, but otherwise nothing happened.

  Marcy cleared her throat and said louder. “Ouija
, are you there?”

  The planchette began to move. It went toward no, wavering before it did a sharp turn to yes.

  “Did you do that?” Marcy asked excitedly.

  “No. Did you?”

  “No.”

  Liam hovered behind Marcy’s shoulder. He winked at me and grinned.

  Relief coursed through me. Just because there were ghosts, didn’t mean Ouija boards could be used to contact spirits.

  “It’s the spirits,” she whispered and looked around, her eyes sparkling. “What is my ghost’s name?”

  The planchette slid to the L, then I-A-M.

  “Cat, you’re doing that.” Marcy glared at me.

  I glared at Liam. With a flourish, he bowed and I swallowed a grin.

  “Didn’t you?” she huffed. Then, distracted, she asked, “What are you glaring at?”

  “Nothing.” Confirm or deny moving the planchette? Liam made the decision for me. The planchette slid to no.

  “Cat?” Marcy tipped her head toward her shoulder and raised her eyebrows.

  Mute, I shook my head. This was going to get dicey.

  The planchette began to move. Since Marcy still glared at me, I didn’t think she was moving it. The candle flames leaned to the right, then to the left in a macabre dance.

  Liam shook his head, his eyes on the planchette. It began to move again. I relaxed my fingers as it hovered on the letter S. From S it moved to T.

  I didn’t like this. It slid to A. I put a bit more pressure on the planchette to try to control it as it landed on the Y. It stopped moving. Oh good.

  “S-T-A-Y,” Marcy spelled out. In spite of the pressure of my fingers, the planchette slid across the board. This time its stops were brief as if whoever guided the planchette was impatient for us to get his message.

  “W-A-Y,” Marcy spelled out loud.

  A chill ran down my spine.

  “Stay away.” Marcy’s eyes glowed with excitement, and she bounced up and down.

  I grabbed the planchette as it started to slide. “Who are you?” I demanded.

  “Why it’s Liam, silly. Though I still can’t figure out how you knew his name.”

  I ignored her and asked again, “Who are you?” My voice rose.

  In a fighting stance, Liam turned in a slow circle. “I don’t see him.”