Ghoul of My Dreams (Larue Donavan Series Book 4) (12 page)

“I don’t think I like what’s going on around here.” James scowled.

What was that supposed to mean?

Chapter 14

My part-time employee Gina had agreed to work the store for a while so I could run errands. She liked to get all the hours she could when she wasn’t in school. The first thing I wanted to do was hit the courthouse and research the names of previous owners of Elisa’s house. The courthouse was a short distance from Book Nook so there was no need to drive. With ghosts on each side of me, I moved down the sidewalk toward the large old brick building. Wouldn’t the people walking and driving around town be shocked if they could see the ghosts? Especially to see Marilyn Monroe.

After reaching the courthouse, I went to the area where I could find the land deeds. Since it was such a small town, there was no one else in the room waiting to be helped. The brown-haired woman behind the counter peered over her glasses at me when I walked in. I recognized her from coming into the bookstore, but I couldn’t remember her name.

“How are you?” she asked with a smile. “Can I help you find something?”

She looked eager to help, but by the expression on her face I figured she couldn’t remember my name either. Our conversation could be awkward if we didn’t know what to call each other.

“I need to look up information for 121 Heritage Street,” I said.

She studied my face for a moment and then smiled. “What a coincidence. I grew up in 122.”

“Oh, maybe she can give you information,” Marilyn said from over my shoulder.

“It’s a small world,” I said.

She went to the files and pulled out the information I needed. “I’ll make copies of this for you. Are you planning on buying the home?”

“Actually, I’m just doing such research for the current owners.” I tapped my fingers against the counter while I waited.

She brought the pages over to me. “Really? What kind of research?”

“That’s a tricky question,” James said.

I jumped a little because I’d momentarily forgotten about the ghosts standing behind me. That didn’t happen often, but occasionally I did forget they were with me. Luckily, I didn’t think the woman had seen me jump. “Well, my research is really on the previous owners.”

She stared for a moment and then said, “I remember the woman and her son who lived there.”

“Bingo,” Roger said.

This was what I had hoped she would say. Finally, maybe I would get good info.

“They must have made an impression if she remembers them,” Marilyn said.

“Her name was Katherine Watkins. Her son’s name was Stone.”

The blood must have drained from my face. Marilyn gasped.

“Hey, that’s that dude’s name,” Roger said.

“What dude?” James asked.

“The psychic dude Larue just met,” Roger answered.

The names couldn’t be a coincidence. Now, more than ever, I had to find Stone. No wonder I had seen him walking around that house. Why was he back? He’d said he was from New York.

“Thank you,” I said as I clutched the papers and hurried for the door.

“You’re welcome,” she called out as I ran down the hall.

“She must think you’re nuts,” Roger said.

“That’s nothing new. Half of Magnolia probably thinks I’m bonkers,” I said.

“How are you going to find him?” Marilyn asked.

“I don’t know, but there has to be a way,” I said as I stormed out of the courthouse.

As I rushed down the sidewalk, I spotted Callahan headed my way. He wasn’t looking at me, so I didn’t think he had seen me yet. I couldn’t talk to him right now. Besides the fact that I had to find Stone, I also felt that intense energy around me again. I knew the dark shadow would pop up soon. There was no way I wanted to put Callahan in danger again. I ducked behind the nearby building and waited until he walked by.

“That’s not very nice to ignore him like that,” Roger said in a teasing tone.

“Oh, mind your own business,” I said.

Roger held his hands up. “Touchy. Touchy.”

When I thought Callahan was gone, I peeked out again. That was when I spotted the teenage girl with the witchcraft book. Wow, everyone was showing up. I stepped out from the building so I could follow her. With any luck, she wouldn’t notice me. If she knew I was trailing her, she would probably cancel her book order.

“Don’t let her see you,” Marilyn whispered, as if the girl would hear her.

It would be kind of hard for me to hide from her if she happened to turn around. Not to mention the girl was a lot faster walker than me.  

She continued down the sidewalk and past the bookstore. How far was she going? Maybe she was headed to the park. What would I do if she stopped there? I could act as if I was going there, too, and I just by chance had run into her. That would give me an opportunity to talk to her. I wanted to find out more about her interest in witchcraft. Apparently, she felt as if she needed to get rid of a negative spell. Had someone placed one on her? I wished she would slow down. It was as if she knew I was back there and had sped up on purpose.

She hadn’t noticed me. Just then, she turned to the left and headed across the street. When she practically walked out in front of a car, they had to slow down. I looked both ways and then headed across the street after her. She took off running and I thought for sure now she knew I had been following her. This wouldn’t be good for business. Stalking customers was probably not the best business plan. Maybe I shouldn’t have followed her at all. I could have waited until when the books she’d ordered had come in. If that hadn’t been too late.

“Larue, watch out,” Marilyn yelled.

When I turned to look at her, someone pushed me. I landed next to the curb in front of a car. My face was pressed against the pavement. A pebble poked me in the cheek. I couldn’t believe I’d almost been hit by a car. It wasn’t the first time a car had come out of nowhere and almost run over me.

“That was a close one,” James said.

“Larue, are you okay?” Marilyn leaned in close to me.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Larue? Didn’t you see that car?” Roger scolded me as if I was the teenager.

Where had it come from? I’d checked both ways to make sure there were no cars. The car paused after narrowly missing me, but then the driver took off. The person hadn’t even stopped to make sure I was okay. I could have been killed for all they knew. No other cars seemed to care that I was lying on my face next to the curb either. Couldn’t anyone see me?

Someone had cared enough to help me, though. Who had pushed me out of the way? I gazed up, still in a bit of a daze from what had happened. That was when I saw the face of the person who had saved me. I blinked, trying to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me. Was I really seeing this person? Had this really taken place? Stone was kneeling next to me. He smelled good, like apples and vanilla. Maybe I was delirious. 

“Are you okay?” He stared at me with his haunting eyes.

I frowned, but managed to nod. “I’m okay.”

“Here, let me help you up.” He grasped my arm and helped me to my feet.

I wiped off my pants and adjusted my shirt. It really was a miracle I hadn’t been hurt.

“You saved my life,” I said.

His face eased, the tense expression disappearing slightly.

“He is a bashful one, isn’t he?” Marilyn said.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” he said.

“Apparently, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” I released a long, tired breath. Suddenly I was exhausted.

“Or the right time,” James added. 

“Well, is there anything I can do for you? Do you need a ride somewhere?” Stone asked.

“Now’s your chance, Larue,” Marilyn said.

Was she telling me not to screw this chance up?

I attempted to make eye contact. “As a matter of fact, you’re the person I wanted to see.”

He stared at me, but didn’t seem surprised at what I’d said.

When he didn’t respond, I said, “I want to ask you a few questions.”

“If this has anything to do with the other day and what I saw…” There was an edge of haunted sorrow in his voice.

I held my hand up to stop him. “It’s not that.”

Well, not right now anyway. I’d get around to asking him more about that later. I wasn’t even sure how to approach the topic.

“I’m researching a house and I was told you may have lived there with your mother when you were a teenager. It’s the house on Heritage Street.” I stared at him, waiting for his reaction.

His expression changed back to the tense version I’d seen when I’d first met him. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I don’t believe him for two seconds,” Roger said.

“Larue, I have to agree with Roger. This man is not being honest.” Marilyn glared at Stone.

“Don’t be so quick to judge. Maybe he’s telling the truth,” James said.

“If you’re sure you’re okay now…” He glanced over his shoulder as if he couldn’t wait to get away from me.

I showed him the deed. “So, you don’t know anything about the house?”

He wouldn’t even look at it.

“Here’s the name on the deed. The woman at the courthouse said this lady lived there and her son was named Stone. That’s not a common name and I know I saw you at that house yesterday. Do you want to tell me what is going on?” I placed my hands on my hips.

“That’s the way to tell him.” Marilyn gestured toward Stone.

“You probably just scared him,” Roger said.

“Like I said, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Anyway, do you need help? I don’t want to leave you here if you’re hurt. Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked again.

I hated to lie, but if it would get him to stick around longer I’d have to give it a try.

“Actually, I may have insured my leg a little. Do you think you could help me across the street to my bookstore?” I flashed him my best smile.

“That’s the way to work him,” Marilyn said. “Use your sex appeal.”

Marilyn and Roger stood some distance behind me. If they weren’t careful, Stone would hear them and then he’d know what I was doing.

Roger threw his hands up. “That’s terrible. I can’t believe you’re doing that to this poor schmuck.”

Stone peered around and then said, “Yeah, sure I will help you.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and then checked both ways. “Are you ready? Just take it easy on that leg.”

I grinned. “Thank you.”

“Make sure to use more of a whisper in your voice when you talk to him,” Marilyn whispered in my ear.

Stone looped his arm through mine and guided me cross the street. Luckily, this time we weren’t almost run down by a car.

He helped me step up onto the sidewalk. “Are you feeling okay?”

“He’s so caring,” Marilyn said.

“I’m sure it will be okay once I rest.” I rubbed my leg.

“Don’t let him off too soon,” Marilyn said as she waved her hand through the air.

If they kept talking so loudly he would be sure to hear them. Stone and I had just reached Book Nook’s door when I felt someone watching us. I glanced to my right and spotted Callahan. He was staring right at us. Of course, it didn’t help that Stone had his arm wrapped around my shoulders now. Surely, Callahan would understand when I told him what had happened. It appeared as if he wasn’t going to give me a chance to explain right now though. He turned and walked in the opposite way.

“It looks like someone isn’t happy with you.” Roger’s tone was full of mocking laughter.

Roger seemed happy about my predicament. I would have to talk with Callahan later and explain what had happened. If he thought I was avoiding him and now he saw me in the arms of the other man, I suppose I could see where he would get the wrong idea. Stone pushed the door open and helped me inside.

Gina spotted us and rushed over. “Are you okay?” 

“I’m okay, just had a little mishap on the sidewalk.” I gestured over my shoulder.

“A car almost hit her,” Stoned added.

I wished he had left that part out.

Her eyes widened. “That’s terrible. Can I help you to the stool?”

“That’s okay. I know you need to get home.” I waved off her offer.

I tried to give her eye contact so she would get the hint.

She caught on quickly. “I think this strong guy would probably be of more help. I’ll grab my things and head out.”

“Thank you, Gina.”

“No problem,” she said over her shoulder.

“The stool is right over there.” I pointed and smiled at Stone again.

“Maybe you should have a doctor check you out,” he said as he guided me toward the counter.

He helped me over to the stool.

“Thank you,” I said.

“You are so bad, Larue,” Roger said.

“Good work.” Marilyn winked.

Stone regarded the ghosts. “What are they talking about?”

I knew he would eventually hear them.

I looked him right in the eyes. “I have no idea.”

I was pretty sure he didn’t believe me.