The Ghost Who Wasn't (Haunting Danielle Book 3) by Bobbi Holmes Read Free Book Online Page B

Isabella.” Hunter stood up and went to the nightstand. Pulling open its drawer, he removed the local phone book. He tossed it on the bed next to Claire. “You worry about finding a local beauty shop. We need to make a good impression.”

Chapter Seven
    T hursday morning , Walt stood at the doorway to the Red Room and watched as Danielle changed the bedsheets.
    “You could have Joanne do that,” Walt suggested.
    “If you’ll remember, Joanne is gone until next week. I didn’t know we’d be having any guests when she asked for the time off. Really didn’t expect any reservations after Labor Day.”
    With a wave of his hand, Walt summoned a thin cigar. It was already lit. “Are you sure you’re up to this, Danielle?”
    “Not really, but what else can I do? I’ve already accepted the reservation.”
    “You could call and cancel it. Tell him the house has plumbing issues.”
    Danielle tossed the bedspread over the bed. “Not a bad idea—if I had his phone number.”
    “Didn’t he leave one?”
    “I guess I need more work on Reservation Taking 101.” Danielle leaned over the mattress. She ran her palms over the bedspread, smoothing out the wrinkles. When she finished, she sat on the edge of the mattress and looked at Walt.
    “You’re going to mess up the bed.” Walt took a puff from the cigar.
    “She can’t be dead, Walt. She just can’t be,” Danielle whispered.
    In the next instant, Walt was seated next to Danielle on the bed, the cigar no longer in his hand.
    “I know she’s like family to you.” Walt spoke in a soothing tone.
    “I just buried my last family member. I can’t do this again. She’s like my sister.”
    “I know.” Walt studied Danielle’s delicate profile. Wisps of dark hair escaped her once tidy fishtail braid.
    “My parents are gone…I never had any brothers or sisters…Aside from Cheryl and her brother I never had any cousins…never knew my grandparents…”
    “You know that is the second time you’ve said something like that,” Walt interrupted.
    Danielle looked up into Walt’s blue eyes. “What do you mean?”
    “That you didn’t know or have any grandparents. What about your grandmother? You told me she was the first spirit you encountered.”
    “You’re right,” Danielle sighed. “I just meant I never knew my mom’s parents and can’t remember my Dad’s father. Other kids seem to have grandparents.”
    “But you did have a grandmother.”
    “Yes, you’re right. And she was a special grandmother. But they are all gone now. My parents, grandparents, cousins…all of them, even my husband, Lucas. Although, I suppose Lucas basically checked out of my life when he got a girlfriend.”
    They were quiet for a moment when Danielle laughed ruefully.
    “What is it?” Walt asked.
    “I sound like a big old whiny baby—as if this is all about me. But it isn’t. It is about Lily. And I need to do something to help her and not spend my time feeling sorry for myself.”
    “You’re entitled to be sad.”
    “Maybe. But I shouldn’t sit here having a pity party. Especially with you.”
    “Why do you say that?” Walt frowned.
    “I had my parents for longer than you had yours.”
    “I suppose we don’t miss what we never really had.”
    “Aren’t you even a little bit anxious to move over to the other side to be reunited with those you’ve lost?”
    “I’m not ready to give up what I have here,” Walt said quietly.
    “That’s what I am worried about.” Danielle turned to face him, her expression serious.
    “What do you mean?”
    “You told me earlier I didn’t have to lose Lily. That she could just stay here.”
    “She could.”
    “I don’t think spirits are supposed to stay earthbound indefinitely. I believe there is something beyond this, somewhere where spirits are supposed to go…to continue on their journey. Like with Cheryl. She knew it was time for her to move on. She didn’t even show up for her funeral.”
    “Do you want me to