“And that,” Roan punctuated the words, “was the last time anyone was able to buy moonshine from Mrs. Simpleton. She gave it up after that, claiming the spirit of someone she’d wronged had been in those clothes.”
Pepper giggled behind her hand. “Oh, poor Mrs. Simpleton.”
“Not poor Mrs. Simpleton,” Roan said, “poor Haunted Hollow. Because of her, this town lost its best moonshiner. My grandfather had to start making his own. Almost blew the roof off the inn.”
Axel chuckled. “That reminds me of the time—” He shot Pepper a knowing look. “Let’s just say it reminds me of about every other week where we’re from.”
“Where’s that?” Roan rose and refilled everyone’s wineglasses. I placed a hand over mine, signaling I was okay.
“Magnolia Cove,” Pepper said.
“Never heard of it.” Roan sat and stretched an arm over the back of my chair. I smiled at him, and he replied by brushing a strand of hair from my cheek.
We were definitely getting cozy with each other, y’all.
“This looks like fun.”
My gaze shot left. Susan Whitby and Artie had both arrived.
Artie eyed the food. “Got any grits?”
“Oh, great.” I rolled my eyes.
Roan pointed a finger at me. “And now’s the time when ghosts appear and talk to Blissful.”
Pepper straightened. “Are any here? Now?”
Axel nodded. “I can smell them. There’s a charge in the air.”
Pepper’s jaw slackened. “You can smell ghosts? Why didn’t you ever tell me that?”
Axel dragged a roll through beef gravy. “Because I didn’t know until now. I’d picked up that scent before but didn’t know what it was until Roan said something.”
“That’s interesting.” Pepper tapped her chin. “And weird.”
Roan tugged a roll apart. “Well, I for one didn’t know you could smell spirits.”
“Axel can smell everything because he’s part were—”
Axel’s eyes flared.
Pepper shook out her hair. “It’s a joke. We say he’s part werewolf all the time as a joke because he can smell so well.”
Right. And I was Miss America. Which I wasn’t. Pretty sure violet hair would immediately disqualify me.
I thumbed toward Roan. “He’s a demonologist. We’re not exactly sure what that entails, but apparently Roan can command spirits—to a point. Oh, and there’s also a spirit trapped in the cellar floor. If anyone wants to see it, I’m sure Roan would love to give you a tour.”
Roan smirked. “And Blissful catches ghosts in containers and can send them into the light. Somehow I think that trumps my abilities.”
Axel wiped his mouth with his napkin and tossed it on the table. “You’ve got a spirit trapped in the cellar?”
I perked up. Maybe Axel could help Roan. “Yes, and we don’t know anything about the spell that’s binding it.”
He rose. “I’ll see what I can do. If nothing else, I may know a demonologist that can help.”
Roan nodded hesitantly. “Thank you.”
I wanted to punch him and remind Roan that it was me he should be thanking. After all, if it hadn’t been for me, none of those words would’ve left Axel’s mouth.
