“What?”
“You’re awfully pretty standing there in the
moonlight.”
A thrill of emotion coursed through her. She smiled
and waved goodbye.
After watching his taillights disappear down the
street, she locked up and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. Her head
was dizzy with conflicting sensations. She’d had a great time tonight and had
enjoyed meeting Colt’s family, who seemed absolutely normal and fun. But she
knew all too well that looks could be deceiving. She’d learned that the hard
way, having been engaged twice, only to learn the truth about the intentions of
both men, just in the nick of time.
Something hinted Colt was nothing like either Gary
or Tom, but his good looks and pleasant temperament would not be enough to make
her want to take another chance on love. Or to crawl into bed with him.
She flipped on the kitchen light. This room was also
in need of a modern update, but it was functional and included the basics,
which was all she required right now. After filling a glass with tap water,
she exited the kitchen and walked past the piano. Stopping, she plunked a few
of the keys with her finger. It was obviously out of tune, sounding tinny. She
wondered whether the piano had been here as long as the saloon.
“Which one of you spirits was playing this a while
ago?” she asked rhetorically.
Her gaze drifted across the room. Both she and Colt
had smelled the cigar smoke and heard poker chips clinking together on the
tables. It had been just like last night when she’d heard the shuffling of
cards out here. It was obvious the gambling hadn’t stopped in this saloon
simply because the players were dead. The game playing by those spirits who
minded their own business didn’t bother her. The bad guy was another story. What
were his intentions?
Sensing no further danger tonight, and feeling calm,
she switched off the saloon lights and carried her glass upstairs to the
bedroom. Even though he hadn’t admitted it, she knew Colt had seen the young
woman in her window.
Would she still be inside waiting for her?
Eleven
With no more paranormal activity as distraction,
Shay had gone to bed early, as she didn’t have a television yet and had been too
wound up to read. Along with being haunted by thoughts of ghosts, dreams of Colt
and his kiss had kept her tossing throughout the night.
Although not refreshed, she woke the next morning
anxious to begin delving into the mystery of the ghostly woman’s identity. She
decided to begin her search at the historical society. Having called the
Visitors Center as soon as it opened, someone there had told her where the
historical society was located, in a circa 1900 schoolhouse at the end of the
street.
After coffee and a bagel, she started the short
hike. The morning was crisp and sunny, which might have been the reason so many
people had bounces in their steps. As strangers smiled and nodded good morning
while passing her on the sidewalk, she had no regrets about the decision to
settle here.
Of course, it wasn’t just the friendly people that
had her smiling. She’d had no idea she’d meet a man like Colt when she made the
side trip to this town. Now that she had, she couldn’t help but wonder if their
meeting had been happenstance, or if there was more to their connection as he’d
suggested. Even though she tried, and knew it would be for the best, she
couldn’t get him or his kiss out of her mind.
Realizing she didn’t even know which end of town
Colt’s office was located, she began paying attention as she passed by
storefronts, hoping it was on this end of the street. Three blocks down she
stopped in front of it.
Printed across the door was his name— Morgan
Realty . No lights were on inside. His pickup wasn’t parked on the street. She
glanced at her watch. Eight-thirty. Maybe he was at the Golden Spike having
pancakes. That image made her grin. She considered leaving a note but decided
against it. She didn’t want
“You’re awfully pretty standing there in the
moonlight.”
A thrill of emotion coursed through her. She smiled
and waved goodbye.
After watching his taillights disappear down the
street, she locked up and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. Her head
was dizzy with conflicting sensations. She’d had a great time tonight and had
enjoyed meeting Colt’s family, who seemed absolutely normal and fun. But she
knew all too well that looks could be deceiving. She’d learned that the hard
way, having been engaged twice, only to learn the truth about the intentions of
both men, just in the nick of time.
Something hinted Colt was nothing like either Gary
or Tom, but his good looks and pleasant temperament would not be enough to make
her want to take another chance on love. Or to crawl into bed with him.
She flipped on the kitchen light. This room was also
in need of a modern update, but it was functional and included the basics,
which was all she required right now. After filling a glass with tap water,
she exited the kitchen and walked past the piano. Stopping, she plunked a few
of the keys with her finger. It was obviously out of tune, sounding tinny. She
wondered whether the piano had been here as long as the saloon.
“Which one of you spirits was playing this a while
ago?” she asked rhetorically.
Her gaze drifted across the room. Both she and Colt
had smelled the cigar smoke and heard poker chips clinking together on the
tables. It had been just like last night when she’d heard the shuffling of
cards out here. It was obvious the gambling hadn’t stopped in this saloon
simply because the players were dead. The game playing by those spirits who
minded their own business didn’t bother her. The bad guy was another story. What
were his intentions?
Sensing no further danger tonight, and feeling calm,
she switched off the saloon lights and carried her glass upstairs to the
bedroom. Even though he hadn’t admitted it, she knew Colt had seen the young
woman in her window.
Would she still be inside waiting for her?
Eleven
With no more paranormal activity as distraction,
Shay had gone to bed early, as she didn’t have a television yet and had been too
wound up to read. Along with being haunted by thoughts of ghosts, dreams of Colt
and his kiss had kept her tossing throughout the night.
Although not refreshed, she woke the next morning
anxious to begin delving into the mystery of the ghostly woman’s identity. She
decided to begin her search at the historical society. Having called the
Visitors Center as soon as it opened, someone there had told her where the
historical society was located, in a circa 1900 schoolhouse at the end of the
street.
After coffee and a bagel, she started the short
hike. The morning was crisp and sunny, which might have been the reason so many
people had bounces in their steps. As strangers smiled and nodded good morning
while passing her on the sidewalk, she had no regrets about the decision to
settle here.
Of course, it wasn’t just the friendly people that
had her smiling. She’d had no idea she’d meet a man like Colt when she made the
side trip to this town. Now that she had, she couldn’t help but wonder if their
meeting had been happenstance, or if there was more to their connection as he’d
suggested. Even though she tried, and knew it would be for the best, she
couldn’t get him or his kiss out of her mind.
Realizing she didn’t even know which end of town
Colt’s office was located, she began paying attention as she passed by
storefronts, hoping it was on this end of the street. Three blocks down she
stopped in front of it.
Printed across the door was his name— Morgan
Realty . No lights were on inside. His pickup wasn’t parked on the street. She
glanced at her watch. Eight-thirty. Maybe he was at the Golden Spike having
pancakes. That image made her grin. She considered leaving a note but decided
against it. She didn’t want
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