“I believe you’re behind me staying at the Martins,” Jesse sent into the ether.
“I suppose so. Mia is a great healer but an impatient teacher.”
“I have enough patience for two.”
“Good to know.”
~
Sally looked at her text and flashed her lights before turning them off and opened her patio door. Cid slid in. Sally was in his arms instantly. He shut the door with one hand. She closed the drapes by pulling on the cord, she had wrapped around her hand, as he carried her to the edge of her bed. He sat down and kissed her.
“I missed you so much,” he said catching his breath.
“Me too.”
Sally stroked his face, liking that he didn’t stop to shave. She felt his urgency as much as he did. She turned on the bedside lamp so she could see him.
“Carl told me you decided to stay for a while,” Cid said, searching her face.
“Yes, Mrs. Leighton has a food service emergency. She asked if I could trade room and board for cooking until she found a replacement. I’ll move into a smaller accommodation as soon as my adjustment period for my new meds finishes.”
“Sally, you can stay with me,” Cid said. “Or with the Martins.”
“I’m not abandoning the idea nor the offer. I’m just trying to do what is right for everyone. We don’t need to take things slow, but we need to get to know each other better before cohabitating,” Sally said. “I’ve got some work to do before I know you’ll be safe beside me.”
“And I have to find a way to make a living to support both of us.”
“Cid, I can work. I like working,” Sally said. “I’m an excellent cook.”
“I just got fired from Pickles Construction.”
Sally laughed. “Good. I’d rather have a poor ghost hunter than a traveling contractor.”
“You need to get your head examined.”
“Done and done.”
“What did they find?”
“Not much, just a large empty space to fill with memories of us.”
Cid kissed her long and hard. Sally responded and pushed him backwards on the bed. “Whose clothes are you wearing?” she asked as he unbuttoned the western shirt. “Where is my nerd?”
“I didn’t have time to change. Hell, I must smell,” Cid said rising off the bed. “Today, I fished Jesse out of the lake, extinguished an acolyte, and buried remains. These are Jesse’s clothes.”
“Gee, all I did was add a bit too much oregano to the sauce,” Sally said, pushing him back down and planting kisses on his skin as she peeled the rest of his borrowed clothing off.
“Are we breaking any rules?” Cid asked, running his hands under her sweater.
“I hope so,” Sally said.
~
Jesse walked through the Martin house in his bare feet. Ethan had vacated to the carriage house after feeding the ravenous contractor. Jesse didn’t know what to think of the young caretaker.
“You have the smell of money about you,” Jesse had said, setting his sandwich down. They were in the kitchen, eating at the counter.
“I was born into money. But presently, I’m taking a hiatus to live amongst you paupers,” Ethan replied. “Would you like another beer?”
“No thank you. I think I’m supposed to be cooling it on alcohol. The emergency nurses gave me a list, but I left it when I legged it. I’m feeling a little rattle when I breathe, but otherwise I’m feeling alright.”
“Mrs. Martin will know what to do.”
“Are they expected home soon?”
“In a few days. Mia will be arriving before the rest of them.”
“I hope she’s not coming home to nurse me,” Jesse said.
“Most likely. Is that really so bad?” Ethan challenged. “Is it really bad to have a total stranger care about whether you live or die?”
“I think we have slid into your story,” Jesse observed.
“Maybe. Take it from me, this family and their friends are a force that you shouldn’t try to stop. They will help you to find your way if you’re lost, or help you adjust if a touchy-feely ghost managed to get his hand on your heart.”
“Ah, the miracle of Murphy. He saved my life today.”
“I’ve seen it close up. I was drowning in quicksand when Tom Braverman jumped in and sacrificed himself so I could reach the shore. I tried to pull him up, but Murphy got there first. The next thing I know is, Tom’s body appears to be flying out of the pit. I went to him and found that he wasn’t breathing, and his heart had stopped. I was doing CPR when Murphy reached inside and started his heart by squeezing it. He pulled me away when the deputy’s heart started. I couldn’t see Murphy at the time, but when Tom opened his eyes, I could tell he could see Murphy. First, I saw wonderment reflected on his face, then fear that his life was about to change, and finally, resignation.”
“How’s he doing?”
“He’s sheriff now, so I don’t think the sight is too big a challenge,” Ethan said. “I suspect it connects him to Murphy and maybe Mia. Or that could be old baggage, I don’t know. Braverman and Mia are childhood friends.”
“Cid pulled me out of an icy lake,” Jesse said. “I was dead but not dead-dead.”
Ethan laughed. “If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard that.”
Jesse smiled. He turned to go back to his room when he felt a pressure change in the house. It was as if a door opened. Maybe Ethan had returned to the house. Jesse walked to the main staircase.
“You really should be wearing slippers or socks,” Mia said from above him.
“When did you get home?” Jesse asked.
“Does it matter?” she asked approaching him.
“No.”
“Good. Now get in bed.”
“Um.”
“Mr. Holden,
