Ghost of a Chance - Chapter 4

Bethany was top priority at this moment. I had to share with someone before I burst. She picked up less enthusiastic than I had hoped for. “Whaaat?”

“Geez, sorry. Didn’t mean to bother you.” I decided to play offended. I knew she would apologize and then be extra excited for my news.

Beth sighed. “Sorry. I just got off the phone with the ex. You know how that goes.”

Hopeful that she would decline, I asked in my most sincere voice, “Do you want to talk about it?”

Score! “No. Same old story with Mr. Jerkface. What’s up?”

“You sure?”

Exasperated, “Candy! What’s up?”

That was all I needed to proceed full force. “I met him!”

“Who?”

“My stalker slash hot neighbor.” I knew that would draw her in.

She was intrigued. “And? Wait. Did you say 'hot'?”

“Are you sure you’re not too busy? We can always talk later.” I was relishing in the fact that I knew she wanted to know now. Beth is always trying to fix me up, so ‘hot neighbor’ were the key words for her.

“Candice Valentine Graham! You tell me right now!”

“Okay, calm down. So, right after I hung up with you, I was getting my things out of the Explorer. My back was turned to the street and he snuck up on me. I about doused him with mace, but lucky for him I turned and looked first.” I paused for dramatics. “He is GORGEOUS! Never have I seen a more beautiful specimen of a man.”

“Okay, so are we talking Jason Stewart from high school gorgeous or Brad Pitt gorgeous?”

“It would be a tight race between him and Brad Pitt in my best dreams.” I smiled at the thought. “So, it gets better. Not only is he gorgeous. He came running over in just a pair of shorts. No shirt. Every contour of his glorious, tanned body glistening with sweat.” I sighed. “I don’t think sweat is an appropriate word for something covering something so perfect.”

“Girl! You have got to get you a man. Only a girl that has been single as long as you would be describing a man in such detail.”

“Whatever!” It had been awhile since I had had a man in my life, but that was not what this was about. I seriously had never seen such a spectacular example of a man outside of Hollywood. “Maybe I shouldn’t even continue.” I tried to pout.

“Oh, c’mon. You know I just say it from love. And I want you to be happy. Please finish.”

Only too happy to oblige, I proceeded. “So, he came up behind me and said, ‘Ms. Graham’, all professional. Again, I about soaked him in mace. I tried to act disinterested, because, despite his good looks, I still think he’s stalking me at this point.”

“Right.”

“So, I am like ‘Can I help you?’ and tell him my first name is Candy anyway. Well, supposedly, he didn’t know that. So, I said something about figuring he would know since he was watching me. He got really embarrassed and apologized for me getting the wrong idea. again, supposedly, he’s just been wanting to introduce himself since he’s new in the neighborhood.”

“Mmm hmmm. And the fact that you’re a gorgeous, leggy blond with nice curves doesn’t hurt, does it?”

“I tried to act indignant, while inside I was hopeful. “Whatever! That wasn’t it at all. I’m sure it appeals to him to talk to someone in his own age range. I mean all our neighbors are geriatric.” I paused for the effect of being rational. “Anyway, I apologized for being rude and invited him for a glass of water or juice.”

“Judging from the time lapsed since our last call, I’m guessing he declined?”

“He did, but he asked for a rain check.”

“Oooh! Then what?”

“Then, we said our goodbyes and he turned and walked back to his house. And I watched his perfect self walk away.”

Bethany giggled. “You are so bad. I love it. So now what?”

“Now, I get some sleep.”

“Not what I meant.”

“I know, but I’m too tired to think of ‘now what’ right now.” I stifled a yawn. “Love ya. I’ll call you when I get up. Give Babygirl a kiss for me later.”

“Fine! Talk to you then. Love ya.” She hung up. I did too.

I looked around my cluttered living room. It had been a busy week and I had neglected my chores. I could run and hide in my room for some much needed sleep. Or I could be an adult and clean first. Such dilemmas. I sighed. Guess I better choose grown up and clean. What if Matt wanted to cash in on that rain check and my house was a disaster? Plus, the majority of the ‘stuff’ laying around was ghost hunting paraphernalia. I did not think Matt knew what I did, so I would rather get to know him a bit before I freaked him out or he laughed at me. That happened to me more often than one would think.

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It is amazing how fast a person can clean when they are exhausted. I motivated myself by constantly reminding myself of that glorious bed beckoning to me. I finished in record time and was just crawling in when my phone rang.

I was fully irritated by now. I only wanted sleep. I looked at the caller ID. Private Caller. I toyed with the idea of letting it go to voicemail, but it could be important. I answered. “Hello, this is Candy.”

A nasty, raspy voice hissed, “I know damn good and well who it is. You better stop what you’re doing and leave well enough alone. You will regret it.” With a click he, or she, I really couldn’t tell, was gone.

I was too tired to be scared. I was more irritated. Still, I thought I would double check that my doors were locked and grab my mace. I got up with much regret to complete those tasks. I made sure all was well in the rest of the house. I grabbed my mace from my purse and trudged back to my bedroom. It was like a sweet oasis and I was only obliging to take a dip in its waters.

I immediately dropped into a deep sleep that was haunted by chaotic dreams. I was researching the Dellwood house. Matt was there. Beth too. And there was a dark, shadowy figure that followed me throughout chanting those seething words, “You will regret it.”

I woke a couple of hours later feeling very un-refreshed and very nervous. I had an unsettled feeling in my gut and I knew I would not be able to shake it. I would not bother Beth with it until I had a better grasp on what it was.

I got up and took a shower. A long, hot shower.