“What is it? You will stay here, in Dahlia House, and watch over everything, won’t you?”
Jitty stared straight ahead, sighting on the driveway and whatever memory that held her undivided attention. “I’m not sure that’s the right thing to do.”
She was freaking me out. “What do you mean?”
She turned to me, and her smile made tears spring to my eyes. I’d never seen anything so lovely or so sad. “Remember the first time we met?” she asked.
How could I forget that? She’d nearly scared me out of my shoes. But she wasn’t interested in funny stories of the past, she was making a point. “Go on,” I requested.
“I came to you because you needed me. When you first came home, after all the loss you’d suffered and after things didn’t work out in New York, I came because you were alone, without the guidance of family. Dahlia House was a big responsibility, and potentially a huge burden.”
“It’s still big. It’s a really big house, and I still need you.” I talked so fast my words were almost incoherent. I had this horrible idea that she was going to say it was time for her to leave, to go on to that Ghostly Reward in the Sky. She was already dead, but a little thing like that wouldn’t stop Jitty once she made up her mind.
“Dahlia House hasn’t shrunk, Sarah Booth, but you’ve grown.”
Jitty wasn’t one to hand out a compliment, and I didn’t want to hear this. “Not that much. I haven’t grown hardly at all. I’m still scared and alone and-”
“You’re taking a shot at your dream, Sarah Booth. Now that’s something.” The curve of her cheek lifted as she smiled. “Your mama would be proud of you. She is proud of you. And your daddy and Aunt Loulane, too.”
My throat closed with emotion, and I swallowed and fought for control of my tears. If I started crying now, I might not quit. “Mama would want you to go to Hollywood and look out for me. Mama will be mad if you leave me now.”
Her laughter was clear and sparkling, and for a moment I thought I’d won her over.
“You sure are the devil to play that card, but it won’t work. Guilt never worked very well on me.”
“What would you do if you didn’t stay in Dahlia House? Where would you go?” There were so many things about the Great Beyond that I didn’t understand. Normally, Jitty refused to discuss it. I’d asked her once if she could cross over, why my parents couldn’t visit me. They’d died when I was twelve, and I’d never truly overcome that sense of abandonment. When I wasn’t haunted by Jitty, I was haunted by that.
“I don’t know, Sarah Booth. Being dead is… a bit vague sometimes. I’m here with you right now. After that, maybe it’s just a long sleep.”
“You don’t sleep! You’re always rambling around at night. That’s when you do your best haunting.” I stood up and began to pace. “I do need you, Jitty. You can’t just disappear.”
“I love you, Sarah Booth. Remember that, no matter what.”
I felt the feathery tickle of what might have been a kiss on my cheek. I reached for her, grasping only air.
“Jitty, promise me that you’ll be here when I come home.” The words choked me. “Jitty!” I lost all efforts to control my emotions. “Jitty!”
“Be strong, like your parents taught you.” Her chuckle was hollow, merely an echo. “And break a leg.”
The last bit of her shimmered away, and I was left on the front porch drowning in the sweet smell of wisteria that blew up on the wind.
Down the driveway I saw Graf Milieu’s car headed my way. He was picking me up for our flight to Los Angeles. I stood, wiping the tears from my face, walked to the front door, and closed it. The sound of the lock tumbling into place was empty and final.
Picking up my suitcase, I turned to meet my future while my past, once again, broke my heart. What would my life be like without Jitty? I couldn’t bear to think about it.
On the plane, Graf did his best to entertain me, but he was no competition for my companion riding shotgun- self-doubt. Through some of his movie connections, we’d managed to buy a first-class seat for Sweetie Pie, who took to the skies with the aplomb of a seasoned traveler. Her gentle howl brought immediate attention from the efficient stewardess, Moesha, assigned to take care of us.
“Are you three movie stars?” Moesha asked.
“Only the dog,” Graf answered. “We’re taking her out for a starring role in
“I can see where she’ll be big box office.” Moesha gave Sweetie’s ears a gentle caress. “You can bet I’ll be in line for a ticket as soon as the movie comes out.”
When she walked away, I punched Graf in the ribs, hard. “Liar.”
“Maybe not,” he said, grinning. “Along with your screen test, I’ve booked one for Sweetie. We might as well employ the entire family. Just think, Sarah Booth, we can work four or six months and the rest of the year we can do what we want.”
For the first time that morning, I felt the dark cloud of despair lift. I’d left behind a life I loved, but it wasn’t gone. It hadn’t evaporated. And neither had Jitty. Or Tinkie. Or any of my friends. They would be in Zinnia when I returned.
Graf gave me a hug and signaled Moesha. “Bring my lady a spicy Bloody Mary. I think she just decided to enjoy the life of a movie star.”
“Coming right up.” Moesha leaned down to whisper. “I’ll bring a bone for Sweetie Pie. On this plane, you all get the star treatment.”
“What do you think?” Graf held me against his side as we stood in the driveway of the most incredible house I’d ever seen. Hanging off the side of Lettohatchie Canyon, the house was clean, modern stucco and steel with a wraparound porch. The view was incredible-mountains highlighted in glowing pinks and oranges to the east and visible to the west, the Pacific Ocean, where a cresting moon hung over the dark waters. We’d spent the entire day traveling to California and arrived just in time for a spectacular sunset.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” I told him.
“I thought about a beach house in Malibu, but I thought this would be better, and then Bobby Joe Taylor said we could have his place for a few months, until we decided where we wanted to settle.”
Stepping away from his side, I entered the house. I hadn’t committed, in my heart, to settling anywhere in California. Zinnia was my home, and even though I’d only been gone for twelve hours, I missed it.
“Why don’t you call Tinkie?” Graf asked. “I’ll take Sweetie for a walk and then open a bottle of wine. I had some salmon steaks and a spinach and artichoke salad delivered, so dinner is ready whenever we are.”
I faced him, taking in the leading-man good looks. I’d been very much in love with him when I lived in New York. Now the shoe was on the other foot, and I wasn’t certain what I felt for him. Sharing a house might be tricky, but he’d already put my suitcase in my bedroom. He’d promised no pressure. “Thank you, Graf.”
“Your screen test is tomorrow at eleven. I’ll drive you, and you’re going to do great.” He stepped forward and kissed my forehead. “Call your girlfriend. Sweetie and I’ll be back in half an hour.”
I watched the two of them head down the winding driveway as I pulled my cell phone from my purse. Tinkie might be the perfect medicine for what ailed me.
Her phone didn’t even ring once before she snatched it up. “Sarah Booth,” she said, her voice breathy, “are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” It was only half a lie. “I’m sorry I asked you all to stay away when I left. I simply couldn’t have stood it to say good-bye to you and Cece and Millie.”
“We understand. And as soon as you’re settled in and working, we want to fly out and watch. Millie bought a copy of
“I’ll bet.”
“How are things with Graf?” she asked.
“He’s being a real gentleman. No pressure.” I laughed. “He’s taking care of everything.”
“Everything?” There was a note of mischief in her voice.
“Not that.” I tried to match her foolishness, but she must have heard the sadness.
“I saw Coleman this morning. I told him you were gone.”
“And?”
“He said he was happy for you. He said that he saw your talent in
