Ghostly Proposal Read online

  If you’ve not read all the books in the Lorna Shadow series, here’s the reading order:

  Ghostly Manners

  Ghostly Secrets

  Ghostly Games

  Ghostly Affairs

  Ghostly Business

  Ghostly Rules

  Ghostly Waves

  Ghostly Play

  Ghostly Proposal

  Lorna Shadow Cozy Ghost Mystery, Volume 9

  K.E. O'Connor

  Published by K.E. O'Connor, 2018.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  GHOSTLY PROPOSAL

  First edition. January 27, 2018.

  Copyright © 2018 K.E. O'Connor.

  Written by K.E. O'Connor.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 1

  The dining room curtains blocked a bright, sunny day. I’d lit candles and placed them around the room. I had no clue if this would make the attempt to contact Amelia any more successful, but it added a touch of coziness to a tense situation.

  Zach Booth, his brother Gunner, and Helen sat around the dining room table.

  Flipper and Jessie sat next to each other on the floor, exchanging concerned looks. They must sense this behavior was not normal for an average Sunday.

  “Maybe if I offer Amelia an endless supply of chocolate, she’ll make an appearance.” Helen’s bright blue gaze swept around the room.

  “Do ghosts eat chocolate?” asked Gunner.

  “I hope they do,” said Helen. “It’s something I refuse to give up, even when I’m on the other side. There’s no joy in life without something sweet in your mouth.”

  “I’d offer her anything if we can get this sorted.” I sat at the table and looked at everyone. “I’ve been reading up on this. We link hands to make a stronger connection. It gives Amelia enough energy to manifest, if that’s her problem.”

  Gunner shifted in his seat and scratched a hand across his dark stubble. “What are we connecting to again?”

  “The other side,” hissed Helen. “I’ve told you all of this.”

  “I maybe wasn’t listening,” said Gunner. “I’m happy for you and Lorna to go chasing around after ghosts, but I prefer the things you can grab hold of.” He tickled a hand up Helen’s wrist.

  She yanked her hand away and glared at him. “This is serious. We’re trying to help your brother and my best friend.”

  I tipped my head back and stared at the ceiling. I had no idea if this would work. Since returning from my last job, I’d spent almost a month coming up with increasingly inventive ways to contact Zach’s dead wife, Amelia. None had been a success, leaving me frustrated and snappy. That did not make me fun to be around.

  Zach’s firm, warm hand covered mine, and he squeezed. “We’ll get this sorted. Let’s give this a try. Something has to work.”

  We had to get it to work. If not, I was going to find myself a new, permanent place to live. I’d gritted my teeth through this last month, but my nerves were a mess, and I was fighting increasingly with Zach over Amelia.

  “Everybody join hands, just like Lorna told us to do.” Helen held out her upturned hands.

  “Fine.” Gunner caught hold of Helen’s hand and then took hold of mine. “But please don’t ask if anyone is there. I don’t think I can handle it.”

  “You can always leave,” said Helen. “If you don’t believe, you’ll just get in the way and block Amelia from coming through.”

  “I believe anything you tell me, sweetheart.” Gunner flashed her a smile. “But a guy has to have his limits.”

  “It’s time you expanded those limits,” said Helen. “Be a supportive boyfriend.”

  “I’ll understand if you leave,” I said to him. “I get this is all a bit... weird.” My ability to see ghosts was up there on the odd scale. I was used to it, but it was unsurprisingly a shock when people discovered what I could do.

  I looked at Flipper. His calm, pale blue gaze was on me. He seemed relaxed, as he sat next to Jessie, Zach’s adorable, dark-eyed dog. Flipper wouldn’t be calm if there was a ghost around. I inwardly sighed and took several deep breaths. I needed to focus on Amelia. She was haunting this house for a reason. I needed her to tell me that reason, so she could move on and stop being a huge, frustrating, ghost-shaped wedge between Zach and me.

  “We’re all ready when you are.” Helen smiled at me encouragingly.

  I looked at Zach, and he nodded.

  It was time to make contact with a ghost. “Amelia. We’re here to help. Tell us what we need to do and what’s troubling you.” I felt the lightest of breezes on the back of my neck.

  “Don’t be so polite,” whispered Helen. “Tell her she’s being a nuisance and needs to leave.”

  “We don’t want to make her angry,” I said. “She’ll only mess with our things again if she gets in a mood.”

  “She was often in a mood,” muttered Zach.

  “How’s everybody feeling?” I asked.

  “Hungry,” said Gunner.

  “Do be quiet,” muttered Helen. “I’ll fix you a sandwich when this is done.”

  “Can I have extra pickles and mustard?”

  “You’ll get nothing if you keep interrupting Lorna.”

  I rolled my shoulders and tried again. “We know you’re here because of Zach. Is there something you need to tell him? Is there something you need him to do before you can move on?”

  Again, I got a faint breeze brushing by me, tracing a cool tendril along my neck and down my right arm.

  Gunner’s stomach gurgled. He stifled a chuckle. “I promise you, that wasn’t one of your ghosts trying to talk through me.”

  “Behave yourself, or they’ll be no funny business with me tonight,” said Helen sharply. “Be serious.”

  “Sorry.” Gunner gave me an apologetic look. “I am trying.”

  “You’re that all right,” muttered Helen.

  “I think she’s here,” I said. Again, I checked in with Flipper. He was looking alert but not concerned. Whenever he was with Jessie, he was far more chilled. I guess that’s what happened when you were with the love of your life. I looked at Zach, and he smiled at me.

  Helen gasped as the candles on the table sputtered. “That must be her. Can you see Amelia?”

  I looked around the room. There was no sign of a ghost, not even the faintest haze suggesting there was a ghost trying to materialize. “Not yet.”

  “Let’s keep going,” said Helen. “Maybe she’s trying to come through. She can use our energy to strengthen herself.”

  “That’s right.” Whenever I was around a ghost for a long period, they seemed to get stronger and solidify. They could even move things and interact with people.

  I’d been here with Amelia for over a month. It had had no effect on her abilities. She had to be resisting making contact for a reason. Whatever it was, I wished she’d figure out her problems. She was seriously messing with my love life.

  I blew a strand of my dark bob off my face. “Amelia. Give us a sign you can hear us. At least show us you u
nderstand we’re trying to help.”

  For a moment, nothing happened. Then the table slightly shifted.

  “Was that you?” Helen glared at Gunner.

  “Baby, I promise you, I didn’t touch the table.” He looked at me. “Did the ghost do that?”

  “It wasn’t any of us,” I said. “She can hear us. Amelia knows what we’re doing.”

  “So why doesn’t she appear?” asked Helen. “What is she hiding?”

  That was a question I’d love to have answered. “Zach, why don’t you talk to her? She is your wife. You know her the best.” How I hated saying those words.

  “We’re not friends.” Zach’s mouth twisted to the side. “The last words we said to each other were pretty brutal. I’m not sure I can do anything to convince her to make this easy for us. Amelia had her own way of doing things. She never cared if it fit in with other people, so long as she got what she needed.”

  “You could tell her to get lost if she’s going to be like that,” said Helen. “She’s not welcome here. Amelia, can’t you go away and bother someone else?”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t,” I said hurriedly. We’d both experienced angry ghosts in the past. It never ended well and tended to involve being covered in ectoplasm.

  “I’m not scared of her,” said Helen. “What’s the worst she can do? Hide my underwear like she’s been doing to you?”

  “Lorna’s right,” said Zach. “Amelia was quick to take offense when she was alive and held a grudge like nobody’s business. Best not to antagonize her.”

  “Definitely don’t,” said Gunner. “I don’t want you moving out, as well.”

  My heart lurched. I didn’t want to move out. I wanted Amelia gone and everything to be right between Zach and me. But it wasn’t. I needed a break from ghost hunting in my own home. It was why I’d recently accepted a position ten miles down the road. My bags were packed and sitting in the hallway. Was it a cowardly thing to do, escaping my haunted house? Yes, but I could only take so much stress.

  “Lorna is not moving out,” said Zach, “not for long, anyway.” His fingers tightened on my hand.

  “That’s right. I’ll see you all every day,” I said. “A little time out is what I need.”

  “You’re certain the house you’re going to isn’t haunted?” asked Gunner. “I know your track record.”

  “There’s always that possibility,” I said. “But if it is, I think the owner will deal with it.”

  “That’s right,” said Helen. “Delilah Merrygold is supposed to be a psychic. She’ll keep on top of any ghosts who pop in for a chat and a cup of tea.”

  Gunner snorted and dropped his hold on my hand. “There’s no such thing.”

  “She’s actually a medium,” I said. “And there is. She’s popular. She tours all over the UK with her shows. I didn’t know she lived around here, though.”

  “Having a successful tour doesn’t make her legit,” said Gunner. “It just makes her an excellent fraud.”

  “You’re such a cynic,” said Helen. “You need to be more open-minded. You see what Lorna does and you believe that.”

  Gunner shot me a sideways glance. “I sort of have seen you in action. I still haven’t worked out how you do it.”

  “Because you’re not open-minded enough to believe what’s right in front of you,” said Helen.

  I raised my hands, trying to placate the argument brewing between Helen and Gunner. “Delilah will handle any ghosts that come my way. Her ability sounds incredible. People pay hundreds of pounds to have private sittings with her.”

  “Then they’re being conned,” grumbled Gunner.

  “I checked her out,” I said. “There are tons of glowing testimonials about her work all over the Internet.”

  “Testimonials can be faked.” Gunner shoved his chair back and stood.

  “Well, I believe in her,” I said. “I’ll work there, do the job that’s needed, and have a break from anything ghostly. Maybe Amelia will figure out what she needs when I’m not here, and this can all be sorted.” I blew out the candles. Our attempt at reaching Amelia was over.

  I fought against the feelings of disheartenment that ran through me as I walked to the window and drew back the curtains. I hadn’t been certain what I would achieve in this session. Maybe bringing everyone together was what Amelia wanted. Zach always said she liked to be the center of attention. This had failed. And I was leaving.

  Helen walked over and touched my elbow. “I wish I was coming with you. I don’t suppose you can convince them they need a cook or a seamstress? Or I can just do the laundry.”

  “It’s not a big place,” I said. “It’s just Delilah, her husband, and her sister in the house.”

  “I hate to think of you going off alone like this,” said Helen. “We haven’t worked apart for years.”

  I didn’t like it either. Helen and I were a team, we always did jobs together. But I needed to get away, and this was the first thing I could find locally that suited my skills. “I’ll call you every day. We can meet up for something to eat, as well.”

  “We definitely will,” said Helen. “I know what you’re like when I’m not around. You make yourself an instant soup in a mug, dunk bread in it, and call it a meal.”

  “It is a meal.”

  Helen swatted my arm. “You know it’s not. I wish we could get this wretched Amelia thing sorted. Then you wouldn’t have to go.”

  I looked over my shoulder. Zach and Gunner were standing by the door. “It’s for the best. We all need a break from this.”

  Helen hugged me. “Make sure you call me when you get there. I need to make sure you arrive safely.”

  “I’m ten miles away. There’s not much that can go wrong during a short cab ride.”

  “Even so, I need to know everything is fine.” She pulled back from our embrace. “I’ll miss you. This is weird.”

  “I’ll miss you too, especially your brownies.”

  Helen smiled. “Don’t go anywhere. Don’t think, for one second, you’re leaving without my special brownies.” She hurried out of the dining room.

  I walked over to Zach and Gunner.

  Gunner nodded at me. “Good luck with your new job. Sorry the whole Amelia thing didn’t pan out this time. I hope me messing around didn’t spoil things.”

  “I’m sure it didn’t,” I said. “If Amelia wanted to be here, she would. She’s playing hard to get.”

  Gunner kissed my cheek. “Take care with your new psychic boss. Be sure to check she doesn’t have the ability to read your thoughts. That would be weird.”

  I shook my head as he walked away, following Helen into the kitchen, no doubt on the hunt for a brownie of his own.

  I turned to Zach and wrapped my arms around him. I rested my head against his chest, breathing in the familiar scent of grass and his spicy cologne.

  “I wish you weren’t going.” He rested his chin on top of my head.

  “I wish your dead wife wasn’t haunting our house.”

  He stiffened in my grasp but then relaxed. “So do I. I should have been upfront with you straightaway. I just want to figure out why she’s here and make her go.”

  “As do I.” I pulled back and kissed him lightly on the lips. “I’m not far away. I’ll send you a message to let you know I got there okay.”

  “Don’t forget your brownies.” Helen dashed out of the kitchen, a tin in one hand.

  Gunner, Jessie, and Flipper followed along behind her. Everybody knew how delicious Helen’s brownies were.

  I took the tin and gave her another hug. “Thanks. These will see me right for a few days.”

  “Don’t just live off my brownies,” said Helen. “I’ll be checking in to make sure you’re eating properly.”

  The sound of a car horn outside made me turn. “That’s my cab.”

  Gunner wrapped an arm around Helen’s waist. “Let’s leave the lovebirds to it.”

  “I’ll take your bags to the car.” Zach lifted my case
s, and I followed him out the front door. Flipper and Jessie followed along behind.

  The driver got out and placed my bags in the trunk.

  “I’ll miss you,” said Zach. “The place won’t be the same without you.”

  “I promise you, it won’t be for long,” I said. At least, I hoped it wouldn’t be. Now I was going, I wasn’t sure I’d made the right decision.

  Zach seemed to sense my hesitation. “You can always change your mind. Let the agency know the job isn’t for you and you’re staying here.”

  “That wouldn’t be fair to anyone,” I said. “Prestige Recruitment Agency has been good to me. I don’t want to let Josie down. She was great in finding me this place.”

  “She’d understand,” said Zach. “You can say you’ve got a family emergency. It wouldn’t be a million miles from the truth.”

  I reluctantly slid from his grasp. “The cab’s waiting, and the family is expecting me.”

  Zach looked at the ground and scuffed his foot in the gravel. “Let me know how you get on.”

  “Of course.” I swallowed my sadness as I climbed into the back of the cab.

  Flipper gave Jessie one last nuzzle before hopping in next to me.

  The driver gave Flipper a sharp-eyed look. “He’s not got muddy feet, has he?”

  “Flipper is always clean.” I wrapped an arm around Flipper and cuddled him. At least I had him by my side. He would always look out for me.

  The driver pulled away from the house. I turned and waved to Zach and Jessie. Helen and Gunner were also by the door. They both waved goodbye.

  I took a deep breath. It was silly to feel sad. I was only moving ten miles away. I could see them every day if I wanted. This was a temporary measure, giving me some distance from a ghostly problem. This would work out.

  I sat back in my seat as we made the short journey to my new place of work. The family lived in the town of Freedom Copse. Having checked on the map, it was a small place, made up of a dozen roads, a tiny church, and a local store.

  “Are you going for a reading?” asked the cab driver.

  “A reading?”

  “I often get sent out this way. My money’s on you going to see Mrs. Merrygold.”