Page 73 of Ghost Walk
“You want to find someone else to help you?” Tears glittered in her eyes, making him feel like a monster. “How? I’m the only one who can see you or hear you or touch…” She paused. “Wait, is it because we touched each other?” She nodded like she’d finally figured it out and wiped at her cheeks. “If that makes you uncomfortable, Jamie, we don’t have to do it anymore. I promise.”
“Good Lord,no.” It was a mystery to him how the woman’s mind worked. “I’m dead, but I’m notthatdead.” He scoffed at the very idea. “Have Ievershown any discomfort at touching you? Inanytime period? It seems to me,I’vebeen the one pushingyou, not the other way around.”
“I don’t mind you pushing.” She said earnestly. “I’m not nearly so semi-frigid around you.”
Jamie’s mouth curved and he stepped closer to her. “If I could be with anyone --in any century or world-- it would beyou, Grace Rivera. You’re the only woman for me. Now and forever. I’ve waited for you for more lifetimes than you can imagine.”
“Well, what’s the problem then?”
“The problem is Ican’tbe with you. Not as a living,breathing man.”
More tears traced down her face, each one burning through his soul. Fairies weren’t supposed to weep. “But we can still havethisand it’ll be enough.” She whispered.
“It won’t.” Not for Grace. She deserved so much more.
“So, you’d rather be alone than go on as we are?” She sobbed. “That doesn’t make any sense! Being alone again is your worst nightmare. Iknowthat.”
“No.” He laid an insubstantial palm against the curve of her damp cheek and gave her a gentle smile. “My worst nightmare is seeing you harmed, lass. And I’m going to do everything I possibly can to keep that from happening.”
Her eyes widened, sensing that this was the end. “Wait!” She tried to grab hold of his wrist, but her fingers passed straight through his hand. “I can figure out a way to fix everything. I know it. Please. Just give me a little time.”
“No more of your time is being wasted on the dead.” He managed a crooked smile. “It’s my last chance to be an actual gentleman, you know. I gave you my word of honor that I’d leave you in peace on the 4thof July.”
“Then you owe me three more hours. It’s not even nine, yet.”
God, he just adored her rule-following, fine-print-reading, scientific precision. “It’s close enough. Now it’s time for you to live your life. Every minute of it.” The backs of his eyes were burning, even though he was fairly sure ghosts couldn’t cry. “And stop trying to be normal, because you’renot. You’re so much more magical than that.”
“Jamie, don’t do this!”
“I love you, Grace.”
…And with that he disappeared from her sight.
Chapter Fifteen
June 27, 1789- Father has hung that dreadful portrait of Eugenia and me over the fireplace, the same way he might hang a picture of his prize horses. Ugh! I shall be embarrassed to look upon it every day. My sister’s pinched lips and disagreeable glower will frighten away all the men who come to call. Not thatshecares. No beau will ever seek Eugenia’s hand. Although I sometimes get the feeling she’s set her eyes on one. I pity the poor fellow, whoever he is! As for me, I cannot wait to find a rich husband of my choosing and leave this horrible place for good.Nothingcan be worse than living here. I’d truly rather be dead!
From the Journal of Miss Lucinda Wentworth
On the morning of July 4th, Grace walked into the Harrisonburg Historical Museum with no intention of ever leaving.
This was her last chance to go back and fix the past.
The final day the magic would work.
Somehow she sensed that, the same way she knew she wouldn’t be able to use Lucinda and Anabel’s blood to travel backwards again. Anabel’s blood wasn’t even there anymore, since she no longer died in the garden maze. This whole adventure had always been a one-shot deal.
And it always circled back to Independence Day.
Jamie was an idiot if he thought she’d give up this investigation. Grace wasn’t going to quit when she was so close. If there was anything left of Clara Vance’s blood, it would be housed in the museum. Grace’s plan was simply to sneak into the basement and find it. How hard could it be?
Of course it would be a lot easier if Jamie lent a hand.
Grace wasn’t thrilled with the idea of breaking into Robert’s workplace alone. Her ex was out of jail and she was fairly certain he’d be nursing a grudge. She wasn’t about to change her plans for that jackass, though. Hopefully, he’d be able to control himself if their paths crossed. It was a public building, after all, and Robert had a reputation to consider.
Grace warily entered the museum, hating the oppressive place. Even during the town’s busiest week of the year, it was deserted. Most tourists had better ways to spend the morning then looking at dusty Revolutionary War muskets and rows of Colonial era coins. Old fashioned cases lined the walls, packed full of antique objects and neatly printed cards explaining why visitors should care.
Only no one did.
