“That’s why I’m calling. I think I’ll be able to make it down at some point this weekend. What do you have going on?”
Hmm, how do I tell my investor boyfriend I had acquired a pirate ghost and was going to a Pagan festival to make sure nothing bad went down?
“Oh you know, this and that. Going to a festival withLuna and Miss Elva tomorrow night, maybe a dive on Sunday.”
“A dive? With Trace?” Cash’s voice sharpened and I rolled my eyes.
“Yes, with Trace. He is the one with the dive boat, after all.”
“That guy,” Cash said, disgust evident in his voice.
“Calm down, Cujo. He’s dating someone.”
“Really? That’s excellent news. I wish him much happiness,” Cash said sweetly and I chuckled.
“Well, at least he gets to see her often, ahem,” I said, wincing at the petulant sound that came through in my voice. A sigh greeted me through the phone.
“I know. I miss you, too. It was shitty timing for me to get called back to Miami. I think we have a lot of the problems with the club figured out, however, and I’m hoping to be back full time in Tequila in a few weeks. You’ll have to help me look for a house,” Cash said.
Well, now. How could a girl get mad at that? Hot boyfriend planned to come back soon and was buying a house, which translated to – he’s putting down roots here.
Perfect.
“I’d love to help you pick out a house. I can chase out any lingering spirits for you,” I teased.
“I plan on it,” Cash said and then I heard voices in the background. “Ah, back to work. I’m at the club training on the new security system.”
Now, normally most women would go into hyper-overdrive, trying to figure out if Cash was lying. Remember that whole psychic thing I have going on for me? It worksgreat for situations like this, as I could read the truth in his words.
“See you soon,” I said softly as we hung up.
“Your betrothed?”
My head shot up to see Rafe sitting on my counter, Hank pacing in circles beneath him.
“My betrothed? No, my boyfriend. Get with this century, Rafe. Speaking of…what’s your story anyway?”
Well? If I was going to have a ghost hanging around I might as well get some background info on the guy. It was going to be a long month otherwise, if I couldn’t figure out ways to drive Rafe crazy.
Rafe stood up on my counter so that I had to look up at him, his head disappearing into my ceiling. Reaching up, he pulled his hat from his head and executed a sweeping bow, made all the funnier for his head disappearing in and out of my ceiling.
“I am Rafe de Leon Rackham, captain of the great Santa Maravilla, the sweetest pirate ship in the waters.”
“That’s quite a name,” I said, watching as he stood straight again, his head disappearing into the ceiling.
My stomach rumbled and I was reminded of the soup I had eaten earlier this evening. Grabbing an apple from my fruit bowl, I turned to the fridge and pulled out a hunk of Drunken Goat Cheese, my favorite. Adding some crackers and quickly slicing the cheese and apple, I soon had a little fruit and cheese board going. Uncorking an already-opened bottle of Rose wine in my fridge, I poured a glass and gathered everything in my arms.
“Rafe, why don’t you get off the counter and come joinme on the verandah?” I asked, stepping past the counter where Rafe stood.
“That devil beast will accost me!” Rafe said, indignation bristling from him.
“He’s a dog and he’s a sweetheart. Maybe try being nice to him,” I offered as I unlocked my patio door and slid it open, flicking the switch for my patio lights and large fans to go on at the same time. The heat had finally died down a little, though the ever-present humidity was just something you learned to deal with when living in the Keys.
I sat down on one of the couches, leaning over to place the tray on the low table and snuggling back into the pillow for a moment. Taking a sip of the cool wine, I let the impressions of what had happened tonight settle over me.
Leaving a circle while it’s being cast or protected or whatever is bad. Got it.
Rafe poked his head out of the door.
