Page 21 of Ghost

Fletcher and Gunner were preparing fora run to the hardware store in town to grab some more lumber forthe finishing touches on another cottage.

“I could go ghost. It’d bethe perfect chance to try my ability in a real-world setting. Noone would know I’m there but you guys. All you’d have to do is makesure to leave the doors open a few seconds longer so I can get inand out of the truck and store.”

“If we let you, will youshut the hell up about it?” Brick huffed, giving Ghost a glimmer ofhope.

“Yes.”

“Fine. Go, but don’t letanyone see you. Got it?” The look on Brick’s face brooked noargument. Fuck around and find out.

“Got it,” Ghost cheered andbegan stripping on the spot.

“Go get naked in your room.I’m already weirded out you’ll be sitting beside me with your ballshanging out,” Gunner growled.

Ghost laughed. “My balls arefabulous.” He dashed off to his room to finish undressing and goghost.

Freedom was almost his, and hecouldn’t wait to get off the property. He’d been on lockdown sincethe shooting at the cemetery and was desperate for some room. Itwasn’t as though the lake house property was small by any means.Hell, there were acres of land to wander, but it wasn’t the samewhen you were ordered to remain there.

He returned to the living room withinminutes and shouted, “Ready.”

“Shit,” Gunner growled evenlouder. “A little warning when you’ re in ghost mode would beappreciated.”

“Sorry, I forgot youcouldn’t see me.”

Fletcher was laughing along with Brickat Gunner’s scowl.

“Man, you knew he wasreturning in chameleon mode,” Fletcher chuckled. “Besides, youshould have learned long ago to expect the unexpected.”

“You’re funny,” Gunnerhuffed. “Let’s get this shit show on the road.”

Ghost was intimidated by Gunner’stough and angry demeanor until he saw the man with Conor and got anew view of him. He was calm, friendly, and open when his partnerwas around. That didn’t mean the guy wouldn’t beat the shit out ofhim if he screwed up, but it somehow made Ghost feelbetter.

They loaded into the truck, andFletcher held the door open for a few extra seconds before hejumped into the passenger seat. Now securely seated in the truck,Ghost allowed himself to enjoy the freedom, even if only for anhour.

They pulled up to the hardware storeasElias drove by in his squad car. He pulled in afterthem.

“Hey, guys. Watcha up to?”Elias asked.

“We need about ten moretwo-by-fours to finish up the deck on the new cottage. And FYI,Ghost is here,” Gunner said.

“Oh, come on, way to rat meout. I was going to wait to see if he could see me,” Ghostwhispered, not wanting anyone to hear a voice coming fromnowhere.

Elias chuckled. “You’re getting goodat that, I gotta hand it to ya. I wouldn’t have even noticed youthere.”

“Thanks, I’ve beenpracticing hard so that I can help on missions.”

It was his greatest wish. He wanted tohelp those who had saved him and others like him, and if he gotgood enough, he might be able to do that on the regular.

“Okay, let’s go,” Gunnerbarked out orders as if they were on a mission.

Ghost followed Gunner into the store,and Fletcher pretended to wave goodbye to Elias as he held the dooropen for a few extra seconds. They were good at this. The momentthe thought entered his mind, Gunner abruptly stopped, and Ghostslammed into the back of him. He covered his grunt with a cough andturned to look back at Fletcher.

“Isn’t that the town vet?”Gunner asked.

Ghost looked up and recognized the manhe’d met before with Brick. The same man who caught him and Raykissing in the barn the other day. Thoughts of Ray had been aconstant issue for him since the man left for Vegas. Ghost couldn’tseem to get the guy out of his head.

“Yep, that’s Mr. Cross,”Fletcher answered.

As Gunner and Fletcher headed towardthe lumber, Ghost decided to have a look around and practice goingunnoticed by the townspeople.

---