Page 19 of Ghost Walk
“It’s no wonder the whole family’s broke.” Grace told the wine bottle in a sad tone.
“Anyway, the point is, there’s no sense in you wallowing in ice cream and cheap wine.” Serenity counseled. “Which I don’t evenneedmy Tarot deck to tell me you’re doing.”
Grace lifted her Ben and Jerry’s carton towards the phone in a silent toast.
Serenity’s tone turned singsong-y. “And if it makes you feel any better, the cards tell me that you won’t be alone for long. I see a tall, handsome man entering your life soon. And --trust me-- you’re going to like this one. He’s quite a charmer. That’s all I’m saying.”
Grace snorted, slanting a meaningful look in Jamie’s direction. “Snakecharmer, maybe.”
“I can’t wait for you to meet him. He’s justperfectfor you! I can already tell.” She paused and then made an inpatient sound. “Oh! I wasn’t going to say anything else, but I just can’t help it. You know I’m terrible at secrets.” Serenity gave a squeal of happiness. “I really think he’s going to be yourPartner.Congratulations! Try to act surprised when you meet him.”
Grace froze, the spoon suspended halfway to her lips.
Jamie looked between the phone and Grace, trying to figure out what the hell that meant. The woman looked like she’s seen more than just a ghost. “Partner in what?”
“Nothing.” She said far too quickly. “It has nothing to do with you. Nothing at all.”
His eyebrows slammed together, unaccountably pissed that she sounded so desperate to deny him. “Of course it’s ta do with me! What other tall and handsome man has entered your life, recently?”
She snorted as if that indisputable logic was sheer craziness. “Well, I just started watching theStar Warsmovies, so it’s probably Han Solo.”
Jamie scoffed at that. “You’re being ridiculous. It’s clearlyme.” He frowned. “…And you’ve onlyjustseen theStar Warsmovies? For God’s sake, I’mdeadand I’ve seen them all twice.”
“Plus he wears a hat!” Serenity chirped. “I’ve always had a weakness for men in hats. It’s somysterious, don’t you think?”
“I wear a hat.” Jamie reminded her, warming to this topic.
“It’s not you! God, can’t you disappear or something? Leave me in peace.”
He could make it so he was invisible to her, but he wasn’t about to do such a pointless thing. Possession roared through him, louder than it had ever been. Jamie had had to fight for everything he ever wanted and this was no different. Grace washisand he wouldn’t share her.Hewas her partner. The thought fixed in his mind and wouldn’t let go. His twinkle of knowing was a damn searchlight when it came to this girl.
He pointed to his tricorne. “Han Solo doesna wear a hat.”
“Fine. Indiana Jones, then.
He disregarded that foolishness. “I’m also smashingly mysterious. You see how it can be no one but me?”
Grace rolled her eyes. “Please. You talk too much to be mysterious.”
“You could use a charming mystery man in your life.” Serenity decided. “They’re the very best cure for all of life’s problems. And they usually lookspectacularnaked. That’s all I’m saying.”
“That’sneverall you’re saying.” Grace muttered.
Serenity gave a trilling laugh, as if she’d somehow heard that remark. “Ta for now, darling.”
Jamie smiled as she hung up the phone. “And just so you know… Idolook spectacular naked.” He assured Grace without a drop of modesty.
“For the last time, she’snottalking about you!”
“Of course she is. Who else could she be meaning?”
“Someone who’s not dead, maybe?”
Jamie winced a bit, his certainty fading under the unrelenting truth of her words. “Well, that’s hardly my fault.” He muttered, refusing to be hurt.
The logical part of him knew it was pointless to care about this “partner” absurdity. Whatever it meant to Grace, it was the province of the living and he was no longer one of them. She was the one he’d been waiting for. Alive or dead, Jamie would have known that with all the magic inside of him. He recognized her with a certainty that defied explanation.
…But what good did that do forGrace?He was still a ghost. He needed her, but it was no true partnership. It couldn’t be.
