Me and My Ghoulfriends (24 page)

How exciting was my life, dateless but not ghost-less. I couldn’t wait to get out of town and carry out another investigation. Although I knew it would mean more ghosts, it would be worth it. A ghost hunt was just the right medicine for me. I needed to cure my woes by getting myself away from the love-struck goons.

I pulled up to my house and sighed as I trudged through the door, struggling with my bags of groceries. Straight to the kitchen to put away the food, and then on to my grubby cleaning duties. While everyone else was out having fun, I was stuck at home with a bunch of ghosts, cleaning my toilet.

After an unglamorous evening of scrubbing, I wandered around my house, reflecting on the past three years since I’d become really serious about helping others deal with the unknown world that surrounded us.

We walk through life oblivious to the things just outside of our vision. Sometimes, with a big surprise, they pop through and allow us a glimpse. Not surprisingly, most people freak out when they catch that preview. I figured if I could help with that in some way, no matter how small, then I needed to do my part. So I embarked on my crazy journey as a ghost hunter.

I paddled across the cold hardwood planks to retrieve my bunny slippers. I had to admit, even though it was somewhat lonely, it felt good to be home and cozy. Home was where I really loved to be, outside of the store.

My home was a simple farmhouse with all the ambiance of days gone by, yet modern conveniences. I’d gone for a short drive one day, and stumbled across the place with a
For Sale by Owner
sign proudly stuck in the yard.

The warm feeling that had flooded my heart when I’d seen the house let me know I had to have it right away. It was a real gem, as far as I was concerned. Three bedrooms with two baths were ideal, and then the exposed beams in some of the rooms were the icing on the cake. The couple selling it had updated the kitchen and bathrooms to persuade somebody to buy the house, and that was all I needed to seal the deal.

Of course, the old man who had owned the place when it was originally built in 1895 was still around when I’d bought it, but once I’d gotten rid of him, it was perfect. After my trip down memory lane, I finally collapsed into bed.

Mrs. Williams had decided to sing the entire compilation from
Grease
to me. Let’s just say she doesn’t sound like Olivia Newton-John, either. Mrs. Williams sucks.

249

             
Me and My Ghoulfriends

Chapter 22

The next morning, before I opened the shop, I decided to take a walk to help clear my head. With the ghosts draining my energy, my mind was foggy. I’d never been good at keeping spirits from tapping my energy. I emitted it like a beacon for them and they zoomed in on it like a distressed ship in the night. I had more energy for them to draw on than the average person, so they didn’t hesitate to take it. They never asked first.

It was a crisp fall morning, and the sky was an endless blue. Finally the gloomy skies had cleared. I strolled down the streets of town, window shopping in the stores surrounding mine. I pulled my jacket a little tighter around my neck to knock off the chill as I looked in the window of the jewelry store. A sparkling diamond bracelet had caught my eye. A few silent minutes passed while I gazed through the window before I crossed back over the road, making a special effort to avoid Brianna’s shop.

As I made my way around the corner I saw her spiky-haired blond head coming swiftly toward me. Her steps quickened the closer she got, and her spiked heels ricocheted through the street.
Was she coming to attack me?
I’d have to fight her right there in the middle of the sidewalk with everyone gawking. That news would spread to my grandparents at Summer Glen in record time.

As I watched her draw near, I wished I’d bought pepper spray or some other form of weapon. All I had was my purse. It was either slug her with my purse or use my fists. The purse would probably hurt worse than my fists. I took in a big gulping breath.

Taking on ghosts was so much easier than dealing with a crazy man-hungry woman. Glancing around, I tried to find a place to hide, or at the very least, to turn to. If I could avoid her, I would. I didn’t want to have words with her at all.
Damn, nowhere to go.

Brianna was staring right at me. I sensed a weird and worrisome vibe emitting from her gaze. There was no denying it—she knew that I saw her. She was striding straight toward me.

With a smirk on her face as she finally approached, she said, “Hello, Larue. How are you feeling?”

She stopped right in front of me, blocking me from moving forward.

“What do you want, Brianna?” I had to stand my ground. And why did she care how I felt?

“Don’t be so defensive, Larue. I don’t want anything from you.” She gave her best attempt at an innocent smile. A secretive smirk spread across her face. “I just wanted to drop by and let you know we’re engaged.”

“We’re?” I squawked. My jaw must have fallen all the way to the sidewalk.

“Yes, Callahan and I. Isn’t it just wonderful news? He popped the question last night. I was so surprised. I mean, I know we’ve only known each other for a short time. But when something feels right…” She trailed off.

I stared at her with a stunned gawk. A wave of nausea-inducing bumps rolled over my hands and up my arms.

“So, no hard feelings I hope?”

Was she kidding? No hard feelings? Did she think I was that stupid? A flood of emotions hit me like a semi-truck. All the ill feelings I had for her consumed me. She had somehow had someone try to run over me, sabotaged my sign to hit me and sent me poisonous candy. Although she didn’t know for sure I suspected her, she had to have had some idea that I did. I was stunned at her nerve to even approach me with that news. She just wanted to rub it in, like pouring salt into my open wounds.

Brianna held out her left hand and dangled her ring finger inches from my face. The big diamond was sparkling in my eyes, taunting me with its glint. Seeing that ring and the smirk on her face truly knocked the wind out of me. I was speechless.

My heart pounded like a jackhammer as I stared at her. I wanted to run past her without saying a word but my pride wouldn’t let me. The wretched woman, who had probably tried to harm me—I was almost sure of that fact—was standing inches away from me flaunting her new diamond. Was it not enough to know she got everything she ever wanted?

She felt she must taunt me with her huge engagement ring, and the fact that Callahan had protested his undying love for her in the ultimate way, by asking her to be his wife. In my opinion, that was just bad karma.

I was so consumed with anger that I was overwhelmed with the feeling I had to get away from her. I couldn’t see her face. I didn’t know what I might do if I had to look at her for a second longer. As far as I was concerned if I never saw her face again, I’d be happy.

The cunning look in her eyes, her face, was vile to my mind. As she stood there with her face in front of mine, I honestly expected to hear the theme from the
Twilight Zone
at any moment. I felt like I was in some bizzaro world. The next thing I knew, she’d be inviting me to her wedding. Either that or I was on some hidden reality show. Yes! Maybe that was it, I was on television. I glanced over my shoulder to try and spot the camera crew. No cameramen. No, it was definitely some weird other dimension I had to be stuck in, with no way out.

Not wanting to hear any more of her wedding details, like what they would serve at the reception or where they were going on their honeymoon, I breezed past her, marching toward
Book Nook
as fast as my legs would carry me.

“No hard feelings, okay, Larue. You can come to the wedding if you’d like. But no funny business when you’re there, okay?” Brianna yelled as I hurried away.

Ugh, she really had some nerve.

“Bitch,” I mumbled.

I didn’t turn around and respond to her statement. Instead, I hastily unlocked and yanked the door to
Book Nook
open. I slumped my back heftily against the closed door after I entered. I so needed a margarita night after that. Or possibly something stronger. Too bad it was only eight-thirty in the morning. Feverishly, I pulled my phone from my purse and dialed Mindy’s number.

“You’re not going to believe what I’m about to tell you.” I shouted.

“What this time? I’m not sure there is anything you could say to shock me, at this point. After the poisonous chocolates, I think that was my limit. I’d seen it all, then.”

“Brianna and Callahan are engaged,” I blurted out.

Nothing. No comment came from the other end of the line. Then finally, Mindy just laughed.

“That’s funny, Larue. You had me there for a minute. You’re such a prankster. That’s a good joke.” She giggled some more.

“Mindy, I’m not joking. I’m very serious, as serious as a heart attack. This is not some prank. I wish it were. She showed me her huge ring.”

“Wait a minute. What were you doing talking to her in the first place? I thought you were going to stay away from her? It’s not safe to even talk to her.” She huffed.

“I tried to avoid her, but I just went for a short walk and she popped up out of nowhere. I wanted to get some exercise before work to clear my head and I ran into her. Or she ran into me, rather. I thought she was going to try to fight me or something.”

“Why are you out walking for exercise, and not coming to my class instead? It’s much more fun than walking. Walking is boring, if you ask me. Pole fitness works so many muscles. You know how sore you were from class.”

“Focus, Mindy, focus. We are not talking about exercise. We are talking about the most despicable woman we will ever come into contact with in our lifetimes. Ever.”

“Right, right. But do remember my class is much better than walking. And a lot more fun.”

Obviously, she was upset about me not taking her stupid class. I was never going to talk to her about exercise ever again.

“Okay, finish telling me what happened.” Mindy finally stopped her ranting.

“So, as I was walking along I spotted her coming my way. I tried to find a place to hide , but no such luck! I was trapped. Seriously, I think she was looking for me.”

“She probably was. I warned you about her.” Mindy grunted.

“She most likely saw me when I pulled up at work. I think she’s stalking me now. Did I mention I thought I was going to have to fight her or something? I’d have to have punched her, because she doesn’t have any hair to pull.”

“Well, thankfully you didn’t have to fight her. That would have been ugly. She would have clobbered you. Stomped you into the ground. Opened up a can of whoop-ass on you.”

“All right! I get it. Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Well, she is much taller than you.”

“I’m strong, though,” I countered.

“Uh huh,” she mumbled, not sounding convinced.

“Well, whatever. She flashed her ring in my face and nonchalantly announced that she was engaged. She said he popped the question last night.”

“She’s engaged to Callahan?” Mindy asked for confirmation.

“Of course, why else would I be talking about it? Why would we be talking about this if she wasn’t engaged to Callahan? I told you when you answered. You’re not listening to me,” I said exasperated.

“I’m listening to you. I was just making sure I heard you correctly. What did the ring look like anyway? Was it big?”

“No, it wasn’t big. It was huge. It was ginormous. The biggest ring I’ve ever seen up close. It almost blinded me. Oh, and it was a princess cut.”

“I don’t like that cut. Was it real?”

“I’m pretty sure it was. I mean I didn’t take out my jeweler’s loupe or anything.”

“Smart ass.” She laughed.

“So anyway, I will definitely need margaritas tonight. Tell me you don’t have another date?”

“I don’t have a date, but I do have a class. Do you want to come?”

“No way.” I shook my head vigorously, even though she couldn’t see me.

“Please. I need bodies to fill the classes,” she pleaded.

So that was what she was up to. She was using my body.

“I’ll happily drink margaritas afterward, and I’ll make my delicious burritos that you love so much to go with them.”

I sighed. I did love her burritos. “All right. I’ll do it. And by the way, I doubt my one body is going to make a difference in class. If anything, it will hurt your cause. And this is not going to be a habit.”

“No, of course not.”

“I’m not doing this all the time.”

“No. I’ll see you tonight.”

“See ya.” I clicked off my phone and tossed it in my purse with a deep groan. Time for me to get to work and hide all the wedding books in the store.