Double Dating with the Dead

by Karen Kelley

  “Dixie, what’s the matter?” She hurried forward, sitting beside her on the bed. What could’ve happened? She wasn’t a bit good at handling someone else’s pain. She was way too sensitive for that.

  Dixie lowered her hands. “I’m so tired of living like this. Haunting this stupid hotel.” She drew in a shaky breath as a tear slid down her face.

  Poor Dixie. Afraid to go, but not wanting to stay. Caught between this world and the next. It didn’t matter if Trent never saw a ghost; she couldn’t bear to see her suffering like this. She had to help Dixie and Wesley cross over so they didn’t endure heartache for one more minute.

  Reaching her hand out, she patted Dixie’s, but her hand went through Dixie and landed on the bed with a plop. She quickly regained her balance. Darn, she’d forgotten Dixie didn’t have any substance. Sometimes ghosts seemed so real.

  “Just walk toward the light,” she spoke softly. “It’ll be okay. I promise.”

  Dixie shook her head. “No, I can’t.”

  “Is it something to do with Wesley?”

  “He’s stuck here, too.”

  “What can I do?” Her heart almost broke as she took in Dixie’s abject misery. The woman’s deep pain washed over her. She just had to help them.

  “We have to be laid to rest or our spirits will haunt the hotel for all eternity.”

  Doomed to haunt the hotel for all eternity? Were they cursed? Oh, it was worse than she’d thought.

  Wait a minute. She’d never heard of anything like this except in books. Not that she was saying it couldn’t happen. The spirit world was often unpredictable.

  She drew in a deep breath. “Okay, we’ll have a funeral.” When Dixie frowned, she hurried on. “You know, a memorial service. I’ll even do headstones and... ”

  Dixie was shaking her head.

  “What?” Selena didn’t know what else to do.

  “You have to find our bones.”

  Ewww.

  “Then bury them.”

  Yuck.

  Selena swallowed past the lump in her throat. It was one thing to talk to dead people, but searching for their decaying bones was an entirely different matter and one she didn’t relish.

  “I knew it was too much to ask.” Dixie sniffled. “It’s okay. We understand.”

  “Now, wait a minute. I didn’t exactly say no.”

  “Then you’ll do it?” Dixie brightened.

  She nodded. “I’ll help if I can.”

  What the hell, she didn’t have anything better to do while she was here, and they might be so grateful they would show themselves to Trent before they walked toward the light.

  “Do you know where your... uh... bones are so that I can bury them?” Would that be legal?

  Dixie shook her head. “Somewhere in the hotel. Try the attic.”

  At least searching for their remains would give her a chance to explore the hotel a little more. If she found anything, maybe she could talk Trent into burying them.

  She changed into a pair of cutoffs and, after putting on a bra, pulled a T-shirt over her head and slipped her feet into a pair of sandals.

  Heaven forbid she would run into Trent without her puppies being leashed. He could be such an ass, but she knew he’d only been goading her. Guilt filled her. Just like she’d goaded him about not shaving. Maybe they were more alike than she thought.

  Not!

  The attic. Get your act together.

  She went out her door and looked down the hall. There was a door at the end that she’d thought was a linen closet. Maybe not. It could lead to the attic.

  There was only one way to find out. She went to it and turned the knob. Nothing. The door wasn’t budging. Apparently, no one had tried opening it in a very long time.

  Her heart raced. Maybe it did lead to an attic. If no one had been up there in a long time, there could be all kinds of treasures.

  Or bones.

  Ewww.

  Bracing her foot against the wall, she pulled on the knob while pushing with her foot. Just as it started to give away, strong arms grabbed her, keeping her from falling on her butt.

  The air whooshed from her lungs. For a couple of seconds she lay in Trent’s arms. The unmistakable scent of Gio whispered over her.

  This was nice. His hands were warm on her body. She could rest in his arms like this for a very long time.

  So not good.

  She tilted her head back and looked into Trent’s face. “Thanks,” she murmured and wiggled out of his embrace as she came to her feet.

  “What exactly are you doing?” he asked.

  “Looking for bones.”

  One eyebrow quirked upward. Damn, he looked sexy when he quirked.

  “Bones?”

  She nodded.

  “Anyone in particular or are you planning on killing me and using mine for some satanic ritual?”

  She crossed her arms and raised her chin. “Don’t tempt me.”

  He didn’t look as if he was going to budge until she told him the whole story. She might as well. Besides, if she did find their bones, then Trent needed to be nearby before Dixie and Wesley went toward the light.

  “Dixie and Wesley are doomed to haunt the hotel until someone finds their bones and gives them a proper burial.” It sounded even worse when she said it out loud. Like some bad plot from a B movie.

  “Did you have too much caffeine this morning?” he asked.

  That was exactly the reaction she’d expected. Sure, make fun of her. She didn’t care.

  Ignoring him, she turned and tugged on the door again. She’d apparently loosened it enough that it opened this time, and she found herself looking up a narrow, dark staircase.

  The stairway to the attic. She felt as if she’d just hit the lottery.

  Except it was dark.

  Really dark.

  She hated dark places.

  “Tell me again you talk to dead people, then explain why you get nervous over a dark stairway,”

  Apparently, her fear showed. She glared at him. “It was never my choice to talk to dead people. Believe me, at career day I was not standing in the line that claimed talking to dead people was going to be all the rage. I wanted to be a teacher.”

  When she tentatively placed her foot on the first step, he moved her out of the way. Heat waves erupted inside her. One touch and she was practically melting at the guy’s feet. She was so pathetic.

  “I’ll go first,” he said, letting go of her arm.

  His touch had been nice while it lasted.

  Selena reined in her thoughts and glanced up the stairs. She was such a coward. She didn’t even care that he knew it, either.

  When he started up the stairs, she followed. Being behind Trent really wasn’t all that bad. He’d dressed in jeans, and the way they hugged his backside with each step made her think all kinds of impure thoughts. If she were Catholic, she’d be spending the next two weeks in confession.

  There was another door at the top. This one opened a little easier. Trent stepped inside first; she joined him seconds later.

  She barely breathed as her gaze swept the room.

  Bingo.

  The room was huge and filled with odds and ends: furniture, trunks, a standing mirror... the attic was a veritable trove of treasures.

  “Look at all this stuff,” she breathed, turning this way and that as she tried to take everything in at once. Not easy since the light was dim from the one window. “We’ve hit the jackpot.”

  Trent was quiet. He probably thought she was getting excited for nothing. Damn it, this was good stuff. Surely he could see that.

  Not knowing what he thought was driving her batty. She couldn’t stand his silence for another second. “What?”

  He looked at her. “This time you might be right. Some of this stuff is pretty old.” He ran his hand over the dust-covered cheval mirror.

  She smiled. She wasn’t exactly sure why his words pleased her. They just did. But when he let his gaze linger on her, th
e attic was forgotten as her body went from cool to very warm. The way he stared at her was almost as if he knew what she looked like without her clothes on.

  She came within an inch of blurting out that she had worn a bra. Instead, she cleared her throat and refocused her attention.

  Bones. She was here to find Dixie and Wesley’s remains. Sex should be the farthest thing from her mind.

  Too bad it wasn’t.

  She started to open a trunk near her, but kicked it first. A person couldn’t be too careful. When she didn’t hear anything scurrying about, she opened it. No bones, but lots of lace and ruffles.

  “Clothes.” She pulled out a dress of red silk and shook it out. “Isn’t it beautiful?” She held it against her.

  “Very.”

  When she looked up, she met Trent’s gaze and saw he wasn’t looking at the dress. Warmth swirled around her, settling in the pit of her stomach. Suddenly, she remembered what it was like to feel his hands pulling her close, his lips lowering to hers.

  She drew in a sharp breath and turned away, laying the dress across the trunk, and reached inside for something else. A box. And inside, a hat. Laughter bubbled out of her. A cowboy hat. She tossed it toward him. He deftly caught it.

  “Try it on.”

  She didn’t think he would, but he surprised her and placed it on his head. He took her breath away. Who’d have thought he’d look as though he’d just climbed down off a horse. It was bad enough he wore Gio. She also had a weakness for sexy cowboys.

  “Now you.” He nodded toward the trunk.

  Their differences suddenly seemed to disappear. It was almost as if they were... friends. It was an odd feeling. One she didn’t mind at all.

  She reached inside the trunk again, digging around until she came up with another box. Inside was a little black hat adorned with black beads, purple feathers and black netting. It was exquisite, and other than being a little crushed, it looked fine.

  She placed it on her head. “How do I look?”

  He laughed. Her bottom lip puckered. She hadn’t laughed at him.

  “It doesn’t quite go with your attire.”

  She glanced down, then looked in the mirror. He was right, she looked comical, but she’d show him. She reached into the trunk again and pulled out a black dress with a scooped neckline. If her judgment was right, it should fit.

  “Turn around.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “I’m not going to try it on with you watching.” Duh.

  “I wouldn’t mind.” He crossed his arms in front of him.

  Desire flared inside her at the thought of stripping in front of him. Get a hold of yourself. It wouldn’t happen.

  She wanted to try on the dress, though. She had a passion for vintage clothes, and the dress she held was a wonderful find.

  “We both know you’re dying to try it on, but you owe me for this. I was only going to help you find bones. Not play dress up.”

  When he turned around, she grinned. Such a pushover. She removed the hat and quickly stripped, hesitating for just a second before losing her bra. White straps wouldn’t look good with the dress. She pulled it over her head, not really caring there was a faint odor of mothballs.

  The dress fell down to her feet in soft folds of black silk. Buttoning it wasn’t easy, but she finally managed a few, then placed the hat on her head again. When she faced the mirror, it was like looking into the past.

  For a moment she couldn’t move. She could only stare at her reflection. Something told her this had once belonged to Dixie. How had it survived all these years?

  She smoothed her hands over the soft fabric and closed her eyes, catching a new scent. Lilac. She could feel all Dixie’s hopes and dreams. Her love for Wesley. Her anger when he flirted with other women.

  Ah, Dixie. It was only to make you jealous.

  I know, came the whispered response. Too late, but yes, I know.

  “Are you decent?” Trent asked, drawing her from her thoughts, her feelings.

  “You can turn around.”

  He did, but didn’t speak, only stared.

  “Do I look okay?” She twirled around, laughing when she faced him once again.

  “You look beautiful. Like you just stepped out of the pages of history.”

  “Why, sir, are you waxing poetic? I swear, it’s enough to turn a girl’s head.”

  He only smiled. Her face grew warm. Trent was the only man who’d ever made her feel this flustered. She turned away from him. She felt as if she was on the brink of something that might get her into trouble.

  Think about something else.

  “Isn’t this stuff wonderful?” She moved farther into the attic, pulling off a dusty sheet and uncovering another treasure. “Look. A Victrola. I wonder if it works.”

  “There’s only one way to find out.” He walked over and wound the machine, then placed the needle on the record.

  The slow strains of a waltz filled the room. Scratchy, but it worked.

  “May I have this dance?” he asked with a slight smirk. “Or would that be considered consorting with the enemy?”

  His look challenged her. She never ran from a challenge. And just maybe she wanted to feel his arms around her again.

  “I would be honored.”

  Placing her hand in his, she let him lead her to a small area that was free of furniture and trunks. He turned, taking her into his arms. The heat of his hand on her dress burned all the way to her skin. Ahh, but it was the kind of heat that inspired naughty thoughts.

  Was he feeling the same thing that she was?

  Trent glanced down into Selena’s face, but she quickly looked away. Why? Was she afraid to be this close to him?

  No, she wasn’t afraid of him. He had a feeling she was afraid of her body’s reaction when he was this close. Maybe her dreams had been as raunchy as his. Something to think about. She’d certainly been giving him the impression she was interested.

  Or maybe it was just wishful thinking on his part. Who’d have thought she’d make him want her so badly he’d be having fantasies? He closed his eyes and let her scent drift over him. Lilac. Different from the scent she usually wore. Lilac and leather. Odd combination. It must be coming from the clothes they wore.

  A queasy sensation washed over him. His stomach churned. It was all he could do to stay upright. He closed his eyes, fighting the nausea.

  What the hell was happening?

  He opened his eyes, blinking rapidly.

  The attic was different. Not as cluttered—cleaner. Everything looked newer. The music wasn’t scratchy anymore.

  He’d never passed out, but right now he felt as if he might. Something was happening. Something he couldn’t explain.

  “Trent?”

  Selena said his name, but it seemed to come from very far away.

  Chapter 17

  Trent forced himself to concentrate, but it seemed to be a losing battle. He looked down at Selena, but it wasn’t her face he saw. The woman he held had blond hair.

  “Wesley,” she whispered, tears forming in her eyes.

  Everything went dark. What the hell was going on? God, he couldn’t breathe. Was this what death felt like? Had Selena poisoned him? Damn, he shouldn’t have eaten her mother’s enchilada casserole.

  Sweat broke out on his forehead. The room was growing darker...

  “Dixie.” Wesley looked into her face before lowering his head, his lips brushing across hers. She tasted as sweet as he’d remembered. Lord, he’d missed holding her like this. He deepened the kiss.

  Sweet. So sweet.

  If only they could stay like this forever. They’d been so stupid. Why hadn’t they admitted how much they cared for each other rather than playing such foolish games?

  Weakness suddenly swept over him. Ah, no. Too soon. Not enough time.

  Don’t leave me, my love.

  Dixie heard his thoughts. They wrapped around her, holding her close as her strength ebbed.

  “No
, I won’t ever leave you, my darling. I’ll always be right here. Forever. Just like we promised.”

  Dixie succumbed to the weakness with a sigh. Being in Wesley’s arms had been worth the drain on her spirit...

  Trent tasted Selena. Her lips felt so right against his. He pulled her tighter against him when he sensed her pulling away. He ended the kiss, sheltering her in his arms. He wouldn’t let her go.

  He was losing her.

  Ah, God, don’t leave me. Hopelessness filled him.

  No, it wasn’t Selena. It was someone else. He had been someone else. He looked down into Selena’s face. Blond hair, now black hair. It was Selena. Wasn’t it?

  Her eyes fluttered open. “What happened?”

  He could feel the blood drain from his face. His hands dropped to his sides, and he took a step away from her. She caught the edge of a desk to steady herself. Emotions warred within him: fear, dread, anger.

  What happened? He glanced around the attic. It was as dusty as it had been when he’d first opened the door and walked inside. The mirror was still where it had been, the trunk where Selena had gotten the clothes...

  Selena.

  When his gaze returned to her, his eyes narrowed. “That was a pretty good trick. How’d you do it?”

  “Trick?” Her brow furrowed.

  She was good. Damn, was she ever good.

  He looked around the attic, a little closer this time, moving to the nearest wall. “Yeah, trick,” he said as he tested the boards, looking for wires. Looking for anything that would explain what had happened.

  Nothing.

  “I think Dixie borrowed my body,” she said.

  He noticed she looked a little pale. No, it was just another trick. “You won’t convince me we were possessed by ghosts.”

  She opened her hands. “Then how do you explain Wesley being in your body? And don’t even try to deny you felt him using it.”

  “I don’t know, but I will explain it.”

  “They used our bodies. Why won’t you believe there are things you can’t explain?”

  Cons. They were all alike. Did they get some kind of thrill from making fools of people? Of course they did.

  She looked as if she wanted an explanation. Okay. Fine. He’d let her know exactly why he wasn’t going to fall for her games.