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“Ask if he can cook,” Ray added. “No freeloaders.”
“How do you feel about ghosts?” I asked. “Because there are two that haunt this house.” I glowered at them.
Sian followed my gaze. “You can communicate with them?”
“Yes.”
“Are they friendly?”
“Most of the time. The worst you get from them is a case of the grumps.”
“Hey!” Ray objected.
Sian drew an inhalation of courage. “Then I am prepared to endure their presence.”
“Endure?” Nana Pratt echoed. “That makes us sound horrid.”
I motioned for Sian to enter. “I have plenty of space but not a lot of furniture. It’s a work in progress.”
He crossed the threshold and immediately took in the sparse surroundings. “I may not have currency, but I do have a woodworking apprenticeship under my belt. I would be happy to pay for my lodging with an item of your choice.”
Ray rubbed his hands together. “Now we’re talking.”
“Ooh, a rocking chair for the front porch,” Nana Pratt said.
I glared at them until they got the hint and disappeared.
“I could use another bed,” I admitted. It seemed I was hosting overnight guests more than I ever anticipated. Of course, I’d also need a mattress, which was one item I refused to pull out of a dumpster. One step at a time.
“Ah, I see. You only have the one bed.”
“I have a sleeping bag you can use.”
He bowed slightly. “That would be more than adequate. I am humbled by your generosity.”
“Would you like a drink or something to eat? I have leftover chicken. Or there’s pizza.” Never mind how many days old it was. He’d be fine.
“I am unfamiliar with pizza.”
“You’d like it. Only monsters and people without tastebuds find it dissatisfying.”
“Then I shall sample your fare.”
I ushered him into the kitchen and removed the pizza box from the top shelf of the fridge.
“I just need to zap your slice in the microwave. Cold pizza is good, too, but warm is better.”
I hit the button on the microwave and took a plate out of the cupboard.
“Have you made any progress in your search?” he asked.
I spun to face him. “I have a book. That’s as far as I’ve gotten, I’m afraid.” I hesitated. “There were unforeseen obstacles.”
His face contorted. “Someone is blocking you from finding my sister?”
“No, no. Sorry. Just … other complications in my life.”
“I see. I apologize for burdening you with my family’s problem.” His eyelids lowered like a fawn who’d been scolded by a big, bad buck.
