“Why?”Because you wanted to ask me out so you could take off your shirt? Let me watch you run around shirtless for a while?
You know, I could really get into that.
He opened his mouth and shut it. When he opened it again, he said, “We’ve got meat pies for supper.”
I quirked a brow. “Is that really what you were going to say?”
“Your hair is very violet today.”
Like how could he make a compliment sound sarcastic and sexy at the same time? I think drool dripped from my mouth. “Meat pies aren’t very Southern.”
“But very filling,” he said it slowly, like he was savoring every word.
Great. So all he wanted was to invite me to gorge myself on fattening food with a half dozen other guests.
I flipped a lock of hair over my shoulder. “I’ll try to make it back in time.” But I doubted I would.
“I’ll save you one.”
My heart clenched. The niceness of his words hit me. I closed my eyes, inhaled deeply and got ready to rumble.
I left the house and hopped in the cruiser. It only took a few minutes to make it to the cemetery. I could see where Xavier’s funeral would be—on the other side of the hill. Far from where I needed to make some magic happen.
Let’s face it, I wouldn’t be making any magic, but a few spirits might if they decided to show up.
I waited as the sun burned down the horizon. “Come on. Come on and sit already.”
As soon as twilight sparkled in the distance, I opened the door. I could see a winding showcase of vehicles down on the other side of the hill.
Not wanting to be seen by any of the funeral attendees, I hunched down in front of a gravestone.
“Boo!”
I glanced up to see Captain Blount standing on top of his headstone. He bent over and gave me a solid stare that could’ve made even the bravest of men wither.
“And what, my dear, do you think you’re doing scampering about out here? Not grave robbing, I hope.”
“I need a favor.” The funeral procession was now out of sight. I rose and brushed off my knees.
Other spirits materialized. “What favor do you need?” Granny Mildred stared at me with dark eyes.
“I need a whole bunch of you to create a ruckus in town. Not one or two—all of you. I need a distraction.”
“And how will this further the cause?” Captain Blount said.
“The cause?” I said, confused.
“He means,” snipped Farmer Kency, “how will it further the goal of equality with the living?”
Oh that. “Well,” I hesitated, “it might not. It might hurt your cause.”
Captain Blount wagged a finger at me. “Listen here, little lady. We will do nothing to hinder the cause. We want equality.”
These spirits were seriously out of their gourds. “What are you doing to help yourselves?” I snapped. “All I see is a bunch of spirits hanging out in a graveyard. You’re not down there,” I pointed to town, “picketing for rights. Oh no, you’re sitting right here complaining and whining about your lack of them.”
I crossed my arms and jutted out one hip. “And who’s going to give you anything if you’re not asking for it? No one. If you come with me, you can appeal for equal rights. For the ability to live freely among the living.”
What was I talking about? The whole thing was asinine. They already had the right to live with humans. What were they really fighting for?
