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When Mariah arrived home from her lunch with Maggie, she had her new plan and a car full of items to implement it. She still wasn’t certain that ghosts existed, but something was haunting her inn. And she wanted it gone! In a couple of hours, she had an appointment with Mr Evans, who had been to see Maggie and thoroughly wowed her. Maggie had strongly talked him up, so Mariah was interested in seeing what he could do. One thing was for sure; those damn ugly radiators were going.
Mariah let Fluffers loose in the bar as he stuck his nose up and wandered around. She knew when he’d spotted Benedict because his fur fluffed up and his hackles rose. Casually walking towards him, Mariah allowed herself to get close to where Fluffers was parading and then, quick as a flash, threw the open bag of flour in the air. To her disbelieving eyes, a figure took shape under it. A tall, muscled man with longish hair and broad shoulders. The fine particles covered him entirely, and Mariah released a whoop.
“You coward!” she crowed.
“What did you do?” Benedict roared.
“Made sure you were no longer the invisible, perverted ghost!” Mariah shrieked, overjoyed her plan worked.
“You irritating chit!” Benedict bellowed.
“Got you!” Mariah squealed and danced on the spot. She saw a pair of fierce light hazel eyes appear out of the white cloud, and she crowed again.
“How dare you!” Benedict yelled, and Mariah heard the horror in his voice as his head tilted downwards, and he stared at his clothing.
“Ha! No more sneaking around for you!”
“I do not sneak!” Benedict exclaimed.
“Yes, you do. Creeping up like some sort of pervy stalker and shouting at me. It’s what weird creeps do, and you’re one of them!” Mariah retorted.
She watched as Benedict’s shoulders straightened and his head shot up.
“I am not a felonious predator. How dare you offer such an insult!”
“No? Then why hide and not show yourself to me? Maggie’s ghost is at full-on war with her. And he shows himself. So why do you skulk and lurk? I think because you’re a pervert!” Mariah snapped.
“If you were a man, we’d be meeting at dawn!” Benedict cried, his whole flour-ridden frame showing umbrage and insult.
“If I were a guy, you wouldn’t be sneaking around watching me!” Mariah retorted.
“Your father should have paddled your bottom!”
“Oh, that was weak. Soooooo feeble. And stay out of my bedroom. I own the inn, not you!” Mariah said with a smirk.
“That room was mine long before you were born and will be mine after you’re dead! Not that you’ll last much longer! I’ll have you out within a week!” Benedict snarled and disappeared, leaving flour to float to the air as Mariah laughed.
“Like to see you try!” she yelled at the empty inn.
“Well, now, that was quite a show!” a cheerful voice announced from the entrance of the Black Cat.
Mariah spun around and stared at a smiling man who stood watching. Oh no, how to explain this? Mariah paled and began stuttering as the guy watched.
“Now, now, miss. Don’t worry yourself. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a woman battling a stubborn spirit. I have plenty of experience with them and witnessed your friend Maggie with hers. They are having quite the battle! I’m Mr Evans,” he introduced himself.
“Oh, hello!” Mariah said, walking over and taking his offered hand. Kindness flowed from the man, and Mariah smiled.
“Are you a ghost hunter and an expert builder?” Mariah asked.
“No, lass. I just worked in a few places where ghosties roamed and came across strong women like yourself! Or stubborn, bull-headed males who refused to understand what was in front of them. But I’m sure you’ve had enough spirit talk for today, although that scene reminded me of Lord Daniel and the blue dye,” Mr Evans said and chuckled.
Mariah wondered who Lord Daniel was and where blue dye came into it? A wicked thought crossed her mind.
No doubt Benedict was currently ridding himself of the flour. But if she found something permanent? With a dazzling smile, Mariah turned to Mr Evans, intent on showing him what she wanted to do, and meanwhile, she’d prise a story from him about blue dye!
Benedict
