Page 27 of A Love Like Candle Light

"I've got a ghost cat already. I think I would have noticed more ghosts," Nic mumbles and shakes her head.

Kylie's eyes widen and she turns pale. "Oh my God, a ghost would explain so much!" All heads turn to her, including mine. For a moment, our eyes meet. Her cheeks turn the most adorable shade of pink and she quickly averts her eyes. It makes warmth pool in my chest and I bite the inside of my cheek to fight a smile. She’s so pretty when she blushes.

"What do you mean?" Kieran leans over the table, intrigued.

"You know, at my place doors kept slamming closed, cupboards opening randomly... Oh God.” Kylie buries her face in her hands. "Of course, I had to go and get myself a haunted house."

"Hey, at least you're not the only one." Nic puts her hand on Kylie's shoulder and gives her a reassuring squeeze. “Welcome to the club.”

“So, are we in the club too and too oblivious to notice we’re living with ghosts?” Lauren asks with wide eyes.

"No graveyard," I assure them with a chuckle. "They didn't find any other bodies or bones. So you guys are good to return to your homes now."

"That's great news." Lauren's eyes dart to Kylie and a mischievous grin tugs at her lips. "Can we hang out at your place? I've always wanted to interact with a human ghost." She glances at Nic with an apologetic smile. "No offense, but a ghost cat is just not the same."

"None taken." Nic takes a sip of her coffee, clearly hiding her grin.

"So, how's my girl Svetty? Do we know what her real name is already?" Kieran leans back in his seat and rubs the back of his neck. It takes me a moment to remember Svetty is what he named the skeleton.

"Even if I did, I'm not sure I could tell you," I point out, earning a collective groan and eye-roll.

"You're no fun." Lauren pouts, and takes a sip of her coffee.

I shrug. "I'm a sheriff basically only in name in a small town that hasn't seen a crime in what must be seventy years. What on earth makes you think I'm chasing the thrill?"

"Point taken," she mumbles and lets out a sigh.

"Anyway, good seeing you all. Have a good day. I'm going to grab my lunch and get out of your hair." I lift my hand in a quick wave and return to the counter, hearing mumbled goodbyes. My lunch is already waiting on the counter and I grab it with a thankful nod towards Caleb.

Maybe the buttery marzipan goodness can distract me from all the hope bubbling up inside me on my way to Cho.

Chapter 9

Erik

The gate opens with a metallic clatter, and I walk into the prison’s visitor room.

An uneasy knot sits heavy in my stomach, as always when I’m here. Back in the police academy, I got many weird looks once people learned my dad was in jail for armed robbery, a lot of whispering behind my back.

For so many cops, crimes are black and white. Criminals are the bad guys, there are no excuses.

And I mean, they’re not completely wrong. Some of them are black and white. However, I know firsthand how those crimes can come from a very desperate place. How much nuance can go into committing one, how one stupid decision can precede a rat tail of consequences.

“Hey, Dad.” The knot in my stomach eases slightly once I see his familiar face and my more or less perpetual frown softens. It’s always a relief to see he’s okay.

Even prison didn’t rid him of his genuine smile and the little wrinkles it forms in the corner of his eyes. He’s greying and his hairline is taking a hit, but I doubt prison has more to do with it than genes.

“It’s so good to see you, son.” He gets up and greets me with a big hug.

It took me years to get to this place. Aunt Molly used to make me visit my dad in prison, and as a child, way before I understood what it meant, I found it exciting. Once I reached my teenage years and learned the entire story, coming here filled me with rage. I missed him, and I was furious with him for messing up our lives and getting himself thrown in a cell for twenty-five years.

Nobody regrets it more than he does.

I can see it in his eyes anytime I visit. Knowing Lilith disappeared, because his stupid decision brought us into the foster system, might be the one thing he’ll never forgive himself for.

The older I got, once hormones weren’t ruling my teenage brain as much anymore, the more I grew to understand his reasons. Out of nowhere, he had to raise the two of us all alone. At the same time, he suddenly had to provide for us, all on his own. There’s also the matter of my mother’s legal costs.

An impossible situation. And when it feels as though you have nothing to lose, you might as well take the high-risk, high-reward path. The risk didn’t pay out in his case, and there’s no way any of us could have predicted what it would lead to.