Page 18 of Ghost Walk
“That’s impossible…” The phone rang, interrupting her protest.
Jamie shot it an annoyed look. Telephones were not a part of modernity that he enjoyed. They were forever making shrill infernal sounds and, more importantly, it was damn hard to eavesdrop on only one side of a conversation. That seriously impacted his social life. With no one to talk to, Jamie spent most of his time listening tootherpeople talk. That was much harder to do when one of the parties was only there via a plastic contraption. It was like only seeing half of a movie. Phones, texting, email… They were all a pain in the ass.
He arched a brow when Grace sat there and let the phone ring, again and again. Odd. In his experience the living always jumped at the chance to play with their technology. “Not going to get that?” He prompted.
“Nope.” Grace drank some more wine.
“Why not?”
“Because I already know who it is and my night’s been lousy enough without anyone reading my mind.”
Chapter Four
June 21, 1789- Eugenia and I had tea with Clara Vance today, as I was too bored to think of a reason to postpone it. Her company only added to my ennui. All she talked of was witches, for God’s sake! Like the Puritans of old! Her new fixation seems to be those fortunetellers, the Riveras. Her father, the Reverend Vance, warned her they’re devil spawn or some such nonsense. So she’s taken to crossing herself when she passes by their shop and now my dreary sister Eugenia vows that she will, too.
I cannot imagine a more tedious Sunday afternoon!
From the Journal of Miss Lucinda Wentworth
“Grace?” The woman’s voice was demanding and full of authority. “It’s your Auntie Serenity. Iknowyou’re there, so you might as well pick up the phone. Hiding won’t do any good. I’m apsychic, in case you’ve forgotten. I knoweverything.”
Grace sank deeper into her collection of pillows, at least half of which were decorated with flowers or mermaids. All of her attention stayed fixed on her carton of vanilla ice cream. “I’m not hearing her say ‘I told you so,’ right now. No way.”
“I told you so about Robert.” Serenity said, as if on cue.
Grace sighed, her gaze rising up to the ceiling in a silent bid for patience.
Jamie arched a brow. “Your aunt is a psychic?”
“She’s a tarot card reader, if you want to get technical. My family owns a palm reading and herb shop, here in town.The Crystal Ball.” Resigned brown eyes met his. “I’m sure you’ve heard of it. It’s been here since the Revolution, much to Harrisonburg’s dismay.”
Oh, he’d heard of it alright. “Donea be telling me, you’re part ofthoseRiveras?” This uptight little creature came from the most eccentric band of fortunetellers this side of Richmond? Well, that explained the magic he sensed in Grace and why she was trying so hard to suppress it. Death hadn’t done away with Jamie’s sense of humor, so he started laughing. “Bit of the odd-duck in your family, are ya, love?”
Just like he’d been. It was a pleasant surprise to have something in common with this fay girl, even if it was just the fact they both had trouble fitting in with their relatives.
She didn’t appreciate his smile. “I’m glad my dysfunctional life is funny to you.”
“Oh so am I.” He assured her happily. “Would have been a disaster if the only person who could see me was dull.”
“Gracie?” Aunt Serenity continued. “There’s no sense in sulking. I saw it all happen when I did my nightly reading on you. You’re well rid of that asshole Robert. That’s all I’m saying. Your cousin had a bad feeling and Ialwaystrust Charity’s feelings, ever since she almost won the lotto that time in Florida.”
“She got two numbers.” Grace held up her fingers, even though her aunt couldn’t very well see them over an answering machine. “Two!”
“I predicted this mess with Robert coming a mile away.” Serenity boasted. “It was inevitable. If you’d listened to me, you would have spared yourself six months of tedium. Plus, the man looks as if he kisses like a sucker-fish.”
Jamie chortled in delight, both at the woman’s obvious hatred of that wanker Robert and at her delightful turn of phrase.
“Oh shut up.” Grace snapped at him.
“I’m sure you sensed Robert was an asshole, too, but you never listen to the foolproof Rivera instincts God gave you.” Serenity continued with a sigh. “You’re so determined to prove you’re ‘normal.’” She made the word sound like it was asynonym for “scurvy.” “Such a waste of talent. Grandpa Truth always said you’d inherited a huge share of the Riveras’ gifts andthisis what you do with them. It breaks my heart.”
“Grace, Serenity, Charity, andTruth?”
“Shutup.” Grace bit off, slanting Jamie a glower. “Everyone in my family has a virtue name. It’s tradition.”
“It’s bloody brilliant, that’s what t’is.”
“Well, fine.” Serenity continued blithely. “I’ll give you a day or so to lick your wounds. But I expect you over here on Saturday, so you can help get the shop ready for the 4thof July sale. We can’t let Madam Topanga’s magic shop get the jump on us, like they did on Arbor Day. We need somethingbigthis time.” She sighed. “If only someone had written down the family recipe for troll powder, way back when.Thatwould bring in the customers.”
