Granny Apples 05 - Ghost in the Guacamole by Sue Ann Jaffarian Read Free Book Online Page A

and moved closer to Phil. “No need to get uppity about what I can and can’t do, cowboy. It’s the intent that’s important.”
    Emma laughed and acted as translator. Finished with that chore, she turned back to the ghost. “Did you have any luck finding Felix Ricardo, Granny?”
    â€œNo, I didn’t, but I’ll keep trying. So,” said the ghost, nearly bouncing with excitement, “does that mean we’re on the case?”
    â€œThere is no case, Granny,” Emma told her.
    â€œYeah, yeah, yeah,” said Granny with sarcasm. “You say that every time and every time there turns out to be a case.”
    â€œI don’t want to get mixed up with that crazy family and all their intrigue,” Emma said. “I barely know Rikki, and I didn’t like being called a cheat and a fraud.”
    â€œThe cheat I understand,” said Phil, “and I object to that, too, but you get called a fraud all the time, Emma. It comes with doing what you do, and you’ve never seemed to mind it before.”
    â€œTrue,” Emma said, “and I really don’t. I understand that communicating with spirits is difficult for people to understand, and I can hold my own against the nasty remarks. It’s not that different from when I was married to Grant and our lives, both the truth and lies, were splashed across the tabloids. It’s just that except for Rikki, I don’t really like these people, especially Lucy. I understand T.J. wanting to protect Rikki, but Lucy was just plain nasty and combative.”
    â€œPeople can get that way when they’re forced to follow someone else’s dream and not their own,” Phil explained. “If she really wants to make her mark on the art world and feels she can’t as long as she’s connected to the family business, I can see why she is so resentful of Rikki’s standoff. Although I don’t understand Lucy’s refusal to simply cash out and leave it behind, especially if the rest of the family is willing to let her do that.”
    â€œThat would seem the simplest solution and a win-win for everyone,” Emma agreed. “It’s like Lucy won’t be happy until she destroys the business.”
    Granny paced the den. “What about the way Felix dropped that bomb about his own death and that the same might happen to Rikki if she didn’t sell?”
    â€œI didn’t like that, Granny,” Emma said. “Not one bit.” She took a drink of wine and sorted through her thoughts like sorting dirty clothes from clean. “It sure sounds as if Felix didn’t die from his fall during his heart attack like everyone thinks. And it’s the only thing keeping me from deciding to ignore the Ricardos altogether. I want to know if the threat to Rikki’s life is real. If it is, maybe we can stop it or at least warn her.”
    â€œNow that’s the tough-minded Emma I know.” Phil pulled her tighter to him. “Just so long as you don’t end up in danger.”
    Emma looked at Phil like he’d lost his mind. “Are you going soft in the head, Phil? Every time I look into one of these situations, I end up in danger. And often you do, too. Or did you forget about those bullets flying around just a few months ago?”
    â€œIt keeps the spice in the relationship,” he said and kissed her with a loud smacking noise. “I just don’t want you getting yourself in danger without anyone to watch your back.”
    â€œI’ve got her back!” announced Granny.
    â€œGranny’s got my back,” repeated Emma to Phil.
    Phil turned his eyes to the place he last knew Granny was standing. “And I appreciate that, Granny.” Emma pointed several feet away, by the fireplace, and Phil adjusted his focus. “I really do. But you can’t physically protect her like I can.”
    â€œI need you both,” said Emma, quickly seeing that