“How…how did that get in here?” I murmur, my voice tinged with bewilderment.
Isla shrugs nonchalantly, an enigmatic gleam dancing in her eyes. “I put it there.”
My eyes widen in realization, a sudden clarity washing over me. This is Nick’s. Without uttering a word, I glance at Isla, and she responds with a subtle nod, a twisted glimmer dancing in her eyes. Her satisfaction is palpable.
“Why?”
“I had a theory.” She picks at her pink fingernail, not elaborating, continuing to leave her motives shrouded in mystery. But I’m in no mood to speculate on her intentions.
“Spit it out, Isla,” I snap, done with the games.
Her lips purse, a clear indication of her displeasure with my tone. Her confident demeanor slips, replaced by an air of uncertainty.
“I don’t think it’s Nick that I’m attached to, but the ring,” she confesses, her gaze drifting down to the object in question, her smile tinged with sadness. “He wasn’t supposed to see it until our wedding day. When I died, he took it. He’s had it tucked away in his back pocket.” She clears her throat. “Until recently. That’s when I realized I couldn’t follow him anymore.”
I nod, understanding her train of thought. “So, by process of elimination, you concluded that it’s the ring you’re attached to.”
She bobs her head in confirmation. “Yes. And I placed it in your purse so that I could attach myself to you.”
“Why?” My voice is full of frustration. “Why would you try to attach yourself to me?”
“Because I have to know you. I have to figure out if you’re the one,” she explains earnestly.
“Jesus, Mary, mother of god, Isla,” I exclaim, feeling overwhelmed. “We just started dating. What’s with you trying to push?” My head falls back as I let out a sigh. “I’m not going to marry him anytime soon, if ever. You forget I’m forty years old, and I’ve already been married. We’ve just started dating,” I repeat, trying to emphasize the point.
She shrugs, seemingly unfazed. “Call it a gut instinct.”
“You shouldn’t have instincts. You’re dead,” I snap.
“Ouch, that was harsh,” Corinne says, head whipping around as though she’ll get a peek at the affronted ghost. “What is she saying?”
“It’s a long story. We don’t have time.”
Corinne harrumphs, twisting back around.
“I’m sorry, Isla,” I say. “I didn’t mean to be insensitive, but seriously, you’ve got to stop prying into Nick’s and my relationship. And for the record, I don’t think Nick would approve of me hanging out with you.”
She waves a hand in the air. “Then don’t tell him. He rarely knows what’s best for himself. I’m here to help.”
I close my eyes and inhale deeply.
“Why does it sound like there’s a problem?” Nina asks.
“There is no problem. Just a misunderstanding,” I assert, redirecting my attention to Isla and forcing a smile onto my lips. “If it’s the ring you’re attached to, then we simply need to figure out how to unattach you from it.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t think you can.”
My head falls back against the car seat. “I’m going to tell Lanie about the wall,” I say, exiting the car, desperate for fresh air.
I approach Lanie as if she’s a wild beast, ready to turn on me at any moment. She kicks the gate, growling, only furthering my worry.
“Hey now, no need to alert the police before you’ve even stepped foot on hallowed ground.”
She purses her lips, hands landing on her hips. “Are you mocking me?”
I blink a couple times, recognizing that it did sound like that, but it wasn’t my intention.
“I’m sorry, Lane. I didn’t mean to come off that way.”
