Page 9 of Road Trip With the Ghost Hunter

Cherry red accent wall, checkered floors, and even a classic working jukebox painted this 1950s blast from the past. Even the waitresses' pink outfits and white aprons were adorably of the era, and they all played their part well.

“Hello, darlin’s, would y’all like a booth or the counter?” A stunning older woman, with blonde wavy hair and striking seafoam green eyes, smiled wide, holding two menus.

I glanced at Lucas, who looked at me in question. “Booth?”

“Yes.” I looked back at the woman who wasn't dressed like the other waitresses but still rocking a pink shirt and blazer combo. “We'll take a booth, thank you.”

“Excellent. Right this way,” she said, heading toward the back right side of the diner. “Name’s Kathy. This is my place. Been in my family for generations.” She gestured for us to sit at a booth against the windows. Removing a pencil from behind her ear, she adjusted her perfectly styled hair and pointed at a man in the kitchen. “That there is my husband, Bill.”

I waved as his eyes were set on us, a soft, mischievous smile as he watched his wife. “Now, I love me some out-of-towners. Where y’all headed?” She waved over a young woman who practically skipped over, her naturally copper red ponytail bouncing. “This here is Beatrice. She’ll be your waitress. What can she start you on, drink-wise?”

When I hesitated, Lucas chimed in. “Black coffee and water for me. Thank you. You need a minute?” he asked me.

“What do you recommend?” I turned and asked Kathy.

“Oh, hun, woman after my own heart.” Her entire face which was beautifully made up, lit bright. The young waitress, Beatrice, tried hiding her smile as she looked down at her notepad, prepared to write our order. “Are you health conscious cause I’ll have to break your heart if you’re one of those city folks wanting oat this and skim that. Here, we believe in hearty and healthy for the soul.”

I couldn’t help shifting my eyes over at Lucas, holding back my laugh. His eyes narrowed, and I just knew he understood what would happen next. The attempted warning didn’t keep me from the tease.

“Uh oh, Lucas. Are you going to be okay with allowing some grease and good ol’ fat to enter that body of yours?” He slowly shook his head, and I smirked, thrilled with this challenge.

“Say it isn’t so?” Kathy clutched her pearls. Yes. The woman literally had pearls around her neck. “Listen, darlin’, I get a body like yours, respectfully, takes discipline and work. I mean, look over there at my husband. He may be sixty-eight, but that man can chop and carry stacks of wood with the best of them.”

“Stop sexualizing my body, Kitten,” the man she introduced as Bill called from the counter while writing something down.

“Don’t you go pretending you don’t love every minute of it, Bill. I’m just sharing with this young man that he can keep that body of his as a temple while still indulging in the moments that life hands you. This is one of those moments.”

“If the man wants to eat grilled chicken and kale, let him.”

“Bite your tongue,” she gasped. “It’s like you want me to send you to sleep with the chickens tonight.”

It was like watching a ping-pong match. Light-hearted laughter escaped me as I glanced over, and even Lucas couldn’t help butsmile. Kathy faced us again and gave us a cheeky smile. “Tough nuggets, hun, cause we don’t carry kale,” she said to Lucas, and I busted out laughing this time.

“You think that’s funny, huh?” He tried sounding offended, but I didn’t think anyone could hold a grudge around Kathy. Her energy was infectious.

I ordered her recommended strawberry pie shake before Kathy ran off to greet newcomers. Beatrice came back with our drinks, and by recommendation, I ordered the Club Special, which had ham, turkey, pastrami, American cheese, and Swiss cheese and was served with homemade chips. Shockingly, Lucas ordered the same but with the homemade fries.

“Like I said, I indulge.” He winked, took a sip of his coffee, and looked out the window. My body shivered, which I berated myself for.

It was a wink, Li. Normally, that’s an ick. What the hell, Viking man?

CHAPTER SIX

Lucas

Food from this 1950s style diner in the middle of nowhere Missouri was actually pretty damn fantastic. I had to admit, I enjoyed playing the insulted party to Li’s constant teasing, which was dangerous. I recognized the sadness in her eyes. They matched mine, only I masked it better. She wore every emotion for the world to see, even when she was trying to hide.

“I called ahead, and Dawn’s expecting y’all.” Kathy walked us out after I paid, which Li argued with. I compromised and said that breakfast tomorrow was her treat. That appeased her. “Just down that main street, right on Stanford, and you can’t miss it. Gorgeous, large estate on the lakefront. And can I say, y’all make a very handsome couple.”

Li’s body went rigid beside mine at the door. “Oh no, Kathy,” Li nervously chuckled. “We are just road trip buddies—strangers, really.”

“We’re headed the same way, is all,” I said, holding the door open for Li.

“Well,” Kathy smirked, her bright green eyes bouncing back and forth between Li and me. “My mistake.” She did not seem bothered whatsoever by her “mistake”. Li walked out, and Kathy winked at me. “You two take care of each other, now. Hope I see you again before you head out tomorrow. Remember, the Hearty Breakfast will keep you energetic for the long drive.”

“Or put me to sleep,” I quipped, heading out. Kathy laughed behind me.

“We can’t have that now,” she said, hand on hip, shaking her head.

---