around. This couldn’t be
good.
“An older man is standing right behind you.”
She pointed over my shoulder.
I glanced over my shoulder, but saw no
one.
“He’s attached to you for some reason, but I
don’t know why.”
Okay, this was a little creepy. “I’m not
sure if I like the sound of that.”
Suzie glanced up from her paperwork
occasionally, but she didn’t appear to pay much attention to the
conversation.
“Sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have told you.”
She rubbed the sides of her head.
“No, no, I’d rather know. Does he say
anything?”
“No. Nothing. He doesn’t seem to want to
talk.”
“He’s wearing dark pants and a white shirt.
Not from this time period,” Carolyn said.
“Did you just move to town?” I wouldn’t tell
her about my ghost-hunting or my psychic best friend.
“Yes, we just bought a cabin here on a few
acres. Over on highway ten.”
“I live off highway ten. Where did you move
from?” I asked.
“Moved here from Georgia.” She smiled.
“Well, I hope you like it here. Rosewood is
a great town.”
“I’m loving it so far.” She winked.
The only reason she was telling me was
probably because she’d heard about my ghost hunting.
“Alabama, you simply must come by my farm.
I’ll cook us a mess of beans and some cornbread. We’ll chat and
have a grand time.” She patted my arm.
“That’s nice of you to offer. Thanks,” I
said.
“Here’s my number.” She scribbled on a piece
of paper. “Call me.”
She handed Suzie cash for her candles and
headed toward the front of the store. I tucked the paper in my
pocket.
“Don’t forget to call me. My cornbread’s the
best.” She glided out the door.
After contemplating Carolyn’s words for a
few seconds, I snapped out of my reverie and selected a few
candles. Cinnamon roll, handmade cookies, and blackberry
cobbler...if I couldn’t eat dessert, at least I could smell it. I
handed Suzie my money.
“Would you happen to have another one of
those black candle holders?” I asked.
“Sorry, dear, no more, but I did order a few
more. I can let you know when the shipment is in.”
“That would be great. I can check back in
with you. These I love these candles. I won’t be able to resist
your shop.” I took another whiff.
“A regular customer...I like the sound of
that.” She handed me the pink bag containing my purchase. It had
pink and white polka dot tissue paper peeking from the top. “Stop
by anytime you want to take a whiff of the candles.” Her brown eyes
twinkled when she smiled.
“I will.” I waved over my shoulder as I
bounced out the door.
I wondered if the spirit was still following
me? That was the last thing I needed.
The uneasiness had lessened, I realized, as
I stepped onto the sidewalk. I had a spring in my step and new
candles in hand. As I stepped off the curb and strolled to the car,
a loud roar caught my attention. The sound echoed in my head. Muted
chrome and blue zoomed past. My hair swooshed as the wind from the
speed of the car swirled around me, then I fumbled, grabbing the
side of the car to stop from falling. My purse went one way and the
bag of candles went the other.
The blue sedan with dark tinted windows
whizzed down the street. It had barely missed me. The car moved so
quickly that I couldn’t make out who was behind the wheel. My heart
thundered in my chest after nearly being run over. I righted
myself, brushed off my pants, blew the hair out of my eyes, and
glanced around. Had anyone witnessed my near brush with death? I
surveyed my body for injuries. It looked as if I had escaped any
serious harm.
With my near brush with death, a vision of
Payne Cooper flashed in my mind and a chill rippled down my spine.
I shuddered. Would I soon meet the same horrific fate as he had? A
fine mist of rain began to fall, so I snatched up my purse, the
bag, then stumbled to my car and headed to Maple Hill Road as fast
as my dented-up Volvo would take me.
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