Page 40 of A Love Like Candle Light

"I don't know how to describe it. Maybe it sounds a little morbid, but I have watched so many true crime documentaries, it acclimated me to the concept? It was still shocking, but I'm not traumatized by it or anything. At least I don’t think I am."

"Well, if you ever need to talk to someone about it, my ears are open.” This stubborn strand blowing into her face is driving me crazy. Before I realize I’m doing it, my fingertips are already on her cheek to brush it away. She stares at me with wide eyes and I hate the way her scarf hides her agape mouth.

“And if you'd like to talk to someone else about it, we have some great recommendations at the precinct. Okay?" Slowly, I lower my hand.

"Okay." She nods and glances up at me with a dreamy smile. "Thank you, Erik."

"You are so welcome."

Suddenly a brown flash runs past us, then stops in its tracks. Before I know it, a very eager Abby jumps up my side, her paws digging into my jacket-clad arm. Thankfully, my cinnamon roll is already inside my stomach.

“Can I?” I ask her, not sure if she wants me to wait until her dog stops jumping me.

“You’re fine.”

"Okay perfect,” I hand her my coffee and lean down. “Hey, Abby."

I spend the rest of my break hanging out with her dog, drinking my coffee once Abby gets over her zoomies, and even manage some small talk with Kylie and Kieran.

Who knew all it would take for my mood to improve is a certain brunette who is becoming best friends with a ghost? And getting to pet a dog as excited to see me as Abby.

Before I know it, my break is over. Time to head back to the precinct, where I know a stack of boring reports are waiting for me to sift through.

I never thought there would be a day I'd hope for Michael’s cows to escape so he’d call me in for help.

Chapter 14

Kylie

Someone's knocking on my door incessantly. I stare at the wall, wondering if I can ignore it. But alas, whoever it is, they’re stubborn.

“I swear to God, if this is the ghost," I mumble under my breath and rush down the hallway. We were having such a good truce for two days. I left her room, aka my hobby room, alone and she didn’t jump scare me. Then some clanking and slamming started back up yesterday evening.

Another thought crosses my mind and grabs onto my brain, like a tick to a dog. Oh my God, please, please don’t be my mom who had enough of me ignoring her. Within the blink of an eye, jump scares are the preferable outcome.

I pull the door open, expecting the worst.

"Surprise!" three very cheerful-looking faces shout at the same time.

"Huh?" I stammer very intelligently. Dick wastes no time nudging his way past my legs to say hi to Abby. Those two have really taken a liking to each other. The dog equivalent to two toddlers on the playground deciding they’re best friends for life.

"Sorry, is now a bad time?" Lauren's smile slowly slides off her face.

"No, no, it's okay. Come on in." I open the door a little wider to let them in. “It’s not my birthday, though?”

“We know,” Nic snickers and nods at my door. “I love your wreath!”

“Thank you!” I’m so confused. What’s going on?

"We decided, since you didn't have a housewarming party yet, we would make the sacrifice-" Kieran clutches his shirt dramatically. "And celebrate with you."

"We brought cake,” Lauren adds and points at the cake carrier in Nic’s hands.

"Well, whoever brings cake is welcome in my home." I motion for them to come in.

Some boxes are still not unpacked, one of them holding items the ghost has deemed not fit to be displayed. It is a very jump-scary process of elimination. At least now I know what the ghost wants, but the list of items they don’t like seems to be never-ending.

Funnily enough, most of them were either pictures of Zach and me or trinkets he gifted me before we got married. Whoever the ghost is, definitely doesn’t like my ex and I’ve never felt more validated.