“Merry Christmas Eve, hen.” He floated before the fireplace in a sleeveless black t-shirt that revealed his muscled arms, his forest green, blue, and white plaid kilt which showed his bare knees, anda pair of black hiking boots. His hazel eyes were a bright green, his love for her shining in them.
Her heart burst with joy, almost taking her breath away. Swallowing against her tears of happiness, she smiled, letting him see how much she still loved him even after three years apart. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”
He grinned. “It was your actions that made it possible.” A brief ripple of concerncrossed his brow so quickly, she wasn’t sure she actually saw it.
Rising to her feet, she brushed off her green slacks. “I worked hard to be involved. I didn’t want to risk never seeing you again.” She stepped forward, wanting to hug him, but knew she couldn’t. “Can you phase through me?”
Hurt flashed in his eyes, proving to her that his feelings hadn’t changed since he’d passed, not that she’dexpected any less. What must it be like on the other side?
He gave her a soft smile. “How about if I do it when I leave so I can carry your sweet scent with me?”
“You can smell me too when you do that?” She thought it was her imagination that Cam’s distinctive clove-like cologne stayed with her after a “phase-through,” what she’d named the experience.
He nodded. “One of the perks of phasing.”
She grinned. “You mean besides flying through time?”
“Yes.” He stepped closer to her.
“Will I get to do that when I cross over?” How fun would that be to fly with Cam? She wouldn’t have to worry about him falling from the side of a mountain again. The thought brought a wave of anger, and she quickly squashed it.
“I hope not. I want us to enjoy eternity together, not just these few visits we’vehad.”
“Wait a minute, do you mean after tonight I’ll never see you again?” The thought brought tears to her eyes for a totally different reason than before.
Cam looked away and brushed his thick brown hair off his forehead. “I don’t know yet. Each year they make it more difficult.”
“They?”
His gaze snapped back to her. “I can’t explain. What I do know is that a lot will have to do with thetwo spirits coming to visit you tonight.”
She moved to Cam’s old chair, the only one she was allowed since Mac commandeered hers two Christmases ago and was comfortably ensconced there, watching them. “Just tell me what you need me to do. We can do this.”
Cam’s face was far more serious than she’d ever seen it in life. Whatever pressures he was under were far more critical. Now that she thoughtabout it, the wrinkles around his eyes weren’t just smile lines. Wasn’t death supposed to be a release?
Or is my need to see him, causing him problems?
The new thought scared her so much, she pushed it aside to think about later when he wasn’t visiting. Their time together was too short as it was. “Tell me about my visitors.” She forced her voice to sound upbeat.
He floated closer, perchingon Mac’s chair arm. “The first is Malcolm. He’s a very successful spirit guide, but his methods are not the norm. If he doesn’t do well on this visit, I’ll be forced to let him go.”
“And you don’t want to do that.”
He nodded. “Correct. For more than one reason, but suffice it to say his outlook on life is very pessimistic, for good reason.”
“And you need me to help him see the happier sideof life?” She was well aware of both sides thanks to Cam’s early death, so she could certainly empathize. Still, it wouldn’t be easy.
“That’s part of it, but it will be made more difficult by the spirit he chose to work with.”
“You let him choose? I thought you were the boss.” She winked, trying to lighten the mood.
Cam shook his head. “Unfortunately, I had no say in it. I would have chosensomeone else, someone less opposite of him. My fear is that Joy’s unfailing optimism may make him even more resistant to change than someone who could see both sides.”
Ah, now she understood. “Then it sounds like you really need me to mitigate both their views.”
He smiled. “I’ve always loved how quick you are to catch on. Yes, but it won’t be easy. These two are as far apart as Neptune and thesun.”
“Maybe Malcolm chose Joy because her optimism attracts him. Maybe he secretly wishes he could be that way, too.”
