Chapter Twenty-One
What was contained in Lionel’s apartment had been deceiving.
At first glance it didn’t seem like a whole lot.
Further inspection proved otherwise. Just the papers in the desk drawers alone filled an entire large cardboard box. And even though a good portion of it looked like it could be tossed away safely, it was too much to sort through in the apartment. Especially given the ticking clock that was Mildred and her time constraints.
Natalie decided, and Liam begrudgingly agreed, to bring it all home with them and sort everything there.
So while Ralph looked on, commenting and giving unsolicited advice the entire time, Natalie packed boxes and Liam carried them down.
Even with tossing out quite a bit and dropping off boxes of donations, boxes stuffed Liam’s Jeep to the roof.
The sun was low in the sky by the time they were done and knocking on the landlady’s door to tell her they were leaving.
By the looks of her, more disheveled than before and bleary eyed, Mildred had apparently watched her stories and moved on to a late afternoon nap.
After an apology for disturbing her and an assurance they were done with the apartment and that all of her ‘valuable’ furnishings were still in place for the next renter, they took their leave of both Mildred and the ghost of Ralph.
With two hands on the steering wheel and looking a little bleary-eyed himself, Liam turned to Natalie. “I think I’m too beat to drive home tonight. Would you mind very much if we got a hotel room and headed home first thing in the morning?”
Natalie hesitated.
Not because she was worried about Jules opening the shop alone, that would be fine, but for other more spectral reasons. She and Liam had stayed in hotels before.
The more she thought, the more she realized, her in a hotel in an unfamiliar town, with unfamiliar spirits, had worked out badly more often than not.
With a cringe she asked, “Can I check out the hotel first? Get a feel for it before we book a room?”
He frowned, then she saw realization dawn in his expression. “Ghost check?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yes, please. If that’s okay.”
“Okay with me. I have enough of your little friends watching me at home. I don’t need strange ghosts watching me on the road too.”
She scowled. “At least you can’t see or hear them.”
“Babe, that’s not as much of a comfort as you think it is.” He let out a sigh. “How about we grab a bite and a drink and then go hotel hunting? I think we could both use a break and I’m starving.”
Natalie nodded. “On that we can agree. Should I search online where to eat?”
“Nope. I know exactly where to go.” Looking mysterious, he started the engine and with renewed energy, threw the Jeep into gear and hit the gas.
Boxes shifted with an ominous sound. Holding on to the door handle as he took the turn out of the parking lot too fast, Natalie glanced at Liam. “Where are you taking me that has you so excited?”
“You’ll see.” He grinned like a mischievous frat boy and Natalie wondered where they were going and what was in store for them when they got there.
What she saw after Liam parked the Jeep and led her inside by the hand was what looked like a McDonald’s but with beer taps and wine bottles.
The decor was modern with chairs and tables in bright primary colors, which made sense because it was packed full of children. Or at least they all looked like children to her even though the sign specified twenty-one and older.
“Where are we?” she asked, not loving she and Liam were by far the oldest people in this place.
He glanced back with a look of glee. “The Well.”
“That doesn’t really answer my question.”
When they reached the bar and he finally stopped dragging her through the establishment, he said, “It’s Yale’s campus pub. Isn’t it great?”
