Christmas Spirit (The Middle-aged Ghost Whisperer Book 1): (Ghost Cozy Mystery series) by Morgana Best Read Free Book Online Page B

work.” I rubbed the base of my neck, trying to relax a tension knot. “People want to know about their loved ones, and I make the connections. It’s completely different from getting to know someone.”
    “Fair enough.” Alum reached out with both hands for two wine glasses, but his ghostly hands passed straight through them. A rueful smile crossed his face. “I’m sorry to have eavesdropped, by the way. I tried to leave you to your talk, but every time I tried to leave, I suddenly found myself back here with you.”
    “Stalker,” I teased him. I had to wonder why he couldn’t wander far from me. As far as I knew, we had never met. I sincerely doubted I owned any of his items. In my line of work, I had to be careful about the kinds of items I purchased for myself. I avoided items that possibly had sentimental value to their prior owners. I did not purchase antiques or heirlooms without knowing the full history of the items. A ‘bad impression’ had a whole different meaning in my line of work. Carelessly bringing in the belongings of a resentful spirit was a sure way to cause nightmares. And every time I did bring anything into my house, I was careful to smudge it diligently with white sage.
    So if we were strangers, and I had none of his personal belongings, why did he keep finding his way back to me? How did he find me to begin with? And why could I see him? The more I thought about it, the more questions cropped up.
    “They were wrong, you know.” He concentrated on trying to grasp a wine glass. The remaining fluid in the bottom did not so much as tremble from his efforts. He might as well have been a morning mist caressing the glass for all the effect he had on it.
    I got out of the chair to pick up the glasses. “You’ll have to narrow that statement down a little.”
    “Sorry I can’t help you clean up,” he said, walking with me into the kitchen. “They were wrong about you being alone for the holidays. I doubt I’ll be crossing over, or whatever you call it, anytime soon.”
    I paused. It hadn’t occurred to me that Alum would still be here, or maybe I was afraid of getting attached to the idea of him being there. “I’ll be happy for the company.” I was glad that he couldn’t read minds.
    “If the case was solved tonight, I’d still like to stay for Christmas,” he said, and then looked decidedly embarrassed. “If you don’t mind the company, of course.”
    I set the dishcloth neatly along the edge of the sink. “I wouldn’t mind in the least, but I don’t know what will happen when your time comes. If you’re meant to head toward the light, then you probably won’t have a choice. You might be drawn to the other side, whether you want to go or not.”
    His rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “You just made the other side sound like a giant bug zapper.”
    I burst into laughter. It occurred to me that Alum had probably had more than a few lonely holidays himself. Had he been stuck at home? Or did he work through the holidays to keep himself busy?
    “We could watch a movie on Netflix,” I suggested. “Or we could play chess. I can move the pieces for both of us. Though that would have to be early in the morning, as none of my guests are early risers.”
    “And I’ll give you a present as well,” he said, a grin spreading across his face. “I’ll give the gift of not singing any Christmas carols. I’m tone deaf.”
    I laughed again. “I’m not partial to Christmas Carols anyway, not the old ones. Call me Scrooge, but for some reason they give me the heebie-jeebies. So you’re tone deaf?”
    “Yes, once I made a K-9 unit howl.” He nodded with mock solemnity.
    I smiled. It would be good to have pleasant company on Christmas Eve. Even if the company in question was a ghost.
     
     

Chapter 9
     
    “It’s not too bad for a last minute thing,” I said aloud, and then I chided myself for doing so. I had lived alone for so long that I often spoke aloud to myself. And now with