I lift a brow. “Going somewhere?”
She gnashes her teeth together, scrunching her nose at the same time. “Yes?”
“Is that a question?” I chuckle, placing my hands on my hips and tilting my head to the side.
“Carly, Simone, and Tarrin are all home and hanging out at Carly’s.”
“It looks like you’re joining them.” I motion toward the purple paisley overnight bag sitting by the door.
She winces. “Are you angry?”
I move down the final steps and pull her into my arms. “Of course not, baby girl. Go have fun.”
She squeezes me a little tighter. “I’ll come home tonight if you want.”
While I appreciate her attempt to make me feel better, it’s not necessary. I’m more than capable of being alone. In fact, after all the hoopla of the holidays, I could use a few solo hours.
“Stay. Have a great time.” She levels me with a look, but I won’t back down. “I don’t want you driving on the snowy roads in the dark. I’ll probably fall asleep early anyway. I’m exhausted.”
She grins. “From what exactly? Lounging?”
“Hardy har har. Get out of here, sassy.” I turn her to face the door, but she shifts back around and rises to her tiptoes to place a kiss on my cheek. “See you in the morning.”
I smile. “Maybe we can do some shopping tomorrow. Catch the sales.”
She grins. “It’s a deal.”
I watch her until she’s pulling down the road and out of view. It never gets easier watching her leave. The worry is there, and I suppose it always will be for me.
Having lost someone I love in a car accident, I’m likely to always feel a bit uncomfortable every time she gets behind the wheel. There are so many things out of our control, and I learned that firsthand in the worst way.
I blow out a breath, taking a look around the house. There’s not much that needs to be done, but I can’t sit any longer. I have to dosomething productive. Making my way to my office, I pull out my business plan and run down my to-do list.
Schedule a meeting with Nick’s former colleague.
Schedule Firearm Safety course (just to be safe).
Look into Watch Guard Patrol license instead.
What does that include?
Can I operate from my home?
I start at the top and work my way down the list. Over an hour later, I’ve managed to get a date on the books with Greg Eitz, Nick’s contact. We’re meeting April second at Milly’s. I’ve scheduled my safety course for the beginning of March, and I’m prepared to move forward with the Watch, Guard, Patrol unless Greg has some other suggestion that’s a better fit.
It’s three p.m., and I’m restless. Done working on my business plan for today, I make my way into the kitchen in search of a snack, only to discover my house is bare. There aren’t any leftovers, and I’m almost out of milk. I start putting together a list of all the things I need and sigh, knowing I’m not going to avoid leaving the house today.
I close the refrigerator door and stop breathing when my eyes connect with the spirit I saw on Christmas Eve. The same one Mrs. Fields had been giving a lecture to.
Except this time, she’s in my space, staring right through me with her sunken eyes. Her form blinks in and out, much like Jenna Cruz did.
I take in everything I can about the woman before she disappears for good, hoping it will help me to identify her.
Her stringy brown hair is matted to her head in places, and her dress appears as though it was run through a rinse cycle and never fully dried. Her hands are withered like a prune.
My best guess is that this spirit drowned.Or was dumped in water.
Based on the similarities to Jenna, this is another poltergeist situation, and according to Corinne’s mom, that indicates a horrible ending.
