Ghostly proposal, p.17
Ghostly Proposal, page 17
part #9 of Lorna Shadow Cozy Ghost Mystery Series
“And she knows about your ability,” said Helen. “You’re not thinking of a career change, are you?”
“Definitely not,” I said. “Delilah is always so tired because of all the ghosts absorbing her energy. And she drinks way too much. I think it’s the stress of that job. I’ll stick with what I know best, paperwork.”
“What about the ghosts?” asked Zach.
“I saw them briefly, just as Rose was being taken away for questioning. They were happy. Rhyannon realized she’d gotten confused when she was driving. She remembered seeing Delilah’s car, but Rose drives the same color of car. It would have been easy enough to mess up the memories with all the stress she was under. They’ve left the house now. They can rest easy knowing who killed them and that their killer is going to prison for a long time.” I ate some of my cookie.
Everyone was quiet. We were all trying hard to ignore the Amelia-shaped elephant in the room.
Zach shifted in his seat and leaned forward. “I’ve been doing work on the memorial.”
I swallowed the suddenly hard lump of cookie. “How’s it going?”
“The ring fetched a good price. I planted a few small trees and created a water feature.”
“You’ve been busy.”
“Gunner helped,” said Zach. “It only took an afternoon.”
“I dug the holes and carried the stones,” said Gunner. “That’s all my brother sees me as good for when it comes to gardening.”
“Where is it?” I glanced out the window. I hoped he hadn’t put it in our back garden. I felt sorry for Amelia, but I didn’t want a permanent reminder of her anywhere near me.
“I borrowed a bit of space from a local farmer,” said Zach. “He had a patch of land he was using for wildlife conservation. I asked if I could add the memorial to it, and he was more than happy. He thinks the water feature will help to attract newts and frogs.”
I let out a quiet sigh of relief. “What does Amelia think?”
“This is the first time I’ve mentioned it in the house,” said Zach. “I thought it would be a nice surprise for her. Perhaps we can contact her while we’re there. Maybe she’ll see it and finally be happy.”
I brushed crumbs from my fingers and stood. “Let’s go over there now.” Amelia needed to go.
Zach joined me. “Are you sure about this? I know how strange this must be for you.”
“It is strange,” I said. “But if this will help Amelia move on, then we need to do it.” I looked around the room, hoping to glimpse our elusive ghost.
“We’ll come with you.” Helen nudged Gunner with her elbow.
“You don’t have to.”
“We want to, don’t we?”
“I can think of nothing I’d like more.” Gunner grimaced before grabbing another cookie and stuffing it into his mouth.
“Don’t eat them all. I don’t want you losing your six pack.”
“Don’t worry, beautiful, I will always stay in shape for you.” Gunner gave Helen a kiss on the cheek. “Some fresh air in the countryside will be perfect.”
All four of us, plus the dogs, piled into Zach’s Land Rover. The short drive to the farmer’s field was a quiet one. A somber mood had descended on the group. I understood why. It wasn’t a happy occasion. I pushed against any feelings of annoyance I had over Amelia. She’d lost a child. I had to remember that. This would help her move on. She would see her baby’s death was being remembered appropriately, and so was hers. I had to hope it would be enough, and she’d stop haunting us.
Zach pulled up opposite a metal gate. We all got out and climbed over the gate.
“If I’d have known this was going to be an aerobics class, I’d have dressed appropriately.” Helen struggled over the gate in her pencil skirt.
“I’ll carry you if you like.” Gunner made a show of trying to scoop Helen into his arms.
She giggled and pushed him away. “Don’t be silly.”
Zach wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and we walked behind Gunner and Helen. Jessie and Flipper romped around the empty field, enjoying the unexpected walk.
“Thanks for agreeing to come take a look,” said Zach quietly. “I’ve been an absolute idiot about Amelia. I never meant this to cause problems between us. I didn’t know about her child.”
“Of course I was going to come,” I said. “And you’re right; you were an idiot. A big, dumb idiot. But I still love you. You’ve put up with so much from me, with all my ghost seeing business. Most men run a mile when they realize what I can do. You stuck by me, even when I put the ghosts first, second, and third.”
“Maybe we can have a chat about that,” said Zach. “Once we get rid of our own house ghost, you could have a break from ghost hunting, as well.”
I smiled at him but shook my head. “You know it’s a part of my life. It helps if we don’t have them in our house. I agree with that. I’ll see if I can put you at the top of my list of priorities. Although you might have to come second after Flipper.”
“I can live with that.” Zach kissed my forehead. “This is the place.”
We rounded a bend and stopped. In front of us were three small oak trees. Sitting to the right of them was a sunken metal trough with a small solar panel attached. Water cascaded down a series of stones before filling the trough. Several newly-planted lilies and rushes edged the trough.
“It will look better in a few months’ time when the plants have bedded in,” said Zach. “Everything here requires zero maintenance. The farmer picked the trees he wanted, and we went for a native variety. This will be great for the wildlife.”
I took a moment to look around. It was a lovely, peaceful spot, with birds singing around us. “You picked a great location.”
“Does Amelia think so?” asked Helen.
I took a deep breath. “Let’s find out. Amelia, are you here?”
We all waited. Even the dogs came and sat by us as if expecting something was about to happen.
“I brought the baby’s boot if that’s any help.” Zach pulled out the knitted boot and passed it to me.
I tried again. “Amelia, this site is for you and your baby. It’s a lasting memorial for you both.”
A shiver ran through me, and Flipper whined.
“Is she here?” whispered Helen.
“Somebody is.” The cold, shivery feeling intensified.
I felt Zach’s hand on my arm. “You don’t need to do this. We can come back another time.”
“Give me a few more minutes,” I said. “Someone is trying to come through.”
“What’s that?” Gunner pointed to one of the trees.
I squinted and saw a faint haze. “You can see that?”
“Not really,” said Gunner. “It’s as if my eyes keep blurring. Maybe I need glasses.”
“You don’t need glasses,” said Helen. “You’re seeing your first ghost.”
“Amelia?” I took a step closer to the trees, Flipper staying by my side. “Is that you?”
“I see nothing,” said Zach.
“You most likely won’t.” I focused on the haze. Slowly, inch by inch, the image of a tall, dark-haired woman, with a down-turned mouth appeared. She was striking in her looks, with large, dark eyes and a wave in her hair.
She looked down at the baby boot in my hand and frowned.
“I think Amelia has just joined us.”
“What does she think of the memorial?” asked Helen. “I hope she appreciates the hard work Zach and Gunner have done.”
I gestured at the water feature and the trees. “This is for you and your child.” I held up the baby bootie. “We thought this might be a fitting way to show you won’t be forgotten.”
Amelia’s sharp features softened as she looked at the work Zach and Gunner had done. She drifted closer, and her fingers touched the baby bootie.
“I am sorry about what happened to your child,” I said. The words didn’t seem enough. I could see the grief in Amelia’s eyes.
Her head dipped, then she looked at me and smiled.
“What’s she doing?” whispered Helen.
“Give us a minute.” I stared at Amelia. “Is this what you want?”
She nodded. Her gaze shifted to Zach, who stood just behind me, his hand resting on my back. She floated over and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
Zach flinched, and his hand went to his cheek. “Was that Amelia?”
I shoved away my silly feelings of jealousy. Amelia was a ghost. “She’s saying goodbye.” At least, she’d better be after all the nonsense she’d put us through.
Amelia turned and nodded. She pointed at Zach and glared at me.
“I’m with Zach now. We’re happy. It’s time for you to go.”
Amelia’s eyes narrowed.
“You had your time with him, and you messed up. I’m sorry for your loss, but you can’t take your grief out on us.”
“Lorna’s right.” Zach moved next to me. His arm went around my waist. “Amelia, what we had is over. It has been for a long time. I love Lorna. I’m with her now, and she makes me very happy. It’s time you left us alone.”
Amelia wrinkled her nose. She took a long look at the baby’s bootie before floating back to the water feature.
“I think she understands,” I whispered to Zach.
Amelia floated around the water feature, her fingers tracing down the branch of a tree.
“Does anyone else feel dizzy?” asked Gunner.
“It’s normal,” I said. “Maybe you’re sensitive to ghosts.”
Gunner snorted. “Not a chance.”
My focus remained on Amelia. “She’s fading.”
“Does that mean she’s going?” asked Zach.
“It does.”
Amelia looked at the baby’s bootie one last time and then blinked out of sight.
“What just happened? I feel weird.”
I turned to see Gunner looking pale. “Our ghost has just left the building.”
“At last.” Helen kept a tight hold on Gunner as he leaned forward and took deep breaths. “Now you must believe in ghosts. You almost passed out, thanks to one.”
Gunner ran a hand through his hair. “That’s got nothing to do with it. I’m just working too hard. Ghosts don’t affect me.”
Helen kissed his cheek. “You’re such a hero.”
Gunner grumbled under his breath.
Zach turned to me. “So, she’s really gone?”
“She has. I think this is what Amelia wanted, to make sure her child wasn’t forgotten.”
“She could have done it without messing us around all this time.” Helen walked over with Gunner by her side. “Amelia almost broke you two up.”
I nodded. She’d come close.
“I’d never let that happen.” Zach hugged me to him.
“It won’t, so long as there are no more secret wives you’re hiding from me.”
“I promise, no more secret anythings.”
“I’m glad that’s sorted,” said Helen. “This is such a beautiful spot. You boys did a good job.”
“I’m glad you approve,” said Gunner, the color returning to his cheeks.
Helen nodded. “With the babbling water and all the greenery, even I might be swayed to venture out for a hike if it looks this lovely.”
“We live in the countryside. It all looks like this,” I said.
“Not all of it,” said Helen. “I don’t like the cowpats and the fences you have to clamber over, but the countryside has a romantic charm to it.”
“You think this place is romantic?” asked Gunner, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
“Don’t get any ideas. This isn’t a date.”
“No, but it’s as good a place as any for romance,” said Gunner.
Helen tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
“How about this?” Gunner turned Helen toward him and dropped to one knee.
Helen stared at him. “What are you doing?”
“You want romance, I will give it to you.” Gunner’s hand went to the inside pocket of his jacket.
A squeak flew out of Helen’s lips.
I grinned at Zach. “Did you know this was going to happen?”
“He’s been talking about it for a while,” said Zach. “Gunner didn’t say when he would do it. Maybe he didn’t have a plan and was waiting for the right moment.”
Gunner took hold of Helen’s hand. “Helen Lenore Rosemarie Holiday, will you do me the great honor of becoming Mrs. Gunner Booth?” He held out a black ring box.
Helen squeaked again. “You’re proposing to me in a field?”
“You said it was romantic. We’re beside a beautiful water feature, with our best friends watching.” Gunner looked over at us and grinned. He flipped open the lid of the box to reveal a large diamond solitaire. He couldn’t have picked a better ring. It was perfect for Helen.
“Oh my,” breathed out Helen.
Gunner arched an eyebrow and looked up at her. “Well? What do you reckon? Do you fancy a life of fun and adventure as my wife?”
Helen looked over at me. “What do you think?”
I held my hands up and shook my head. “I will not risk answering that question.”
“No, of course. This is my decision.” Helen looked down at Gunner and blinked. “I...”
A look of concern crossed Gunner’s face. “Don’t leave me hanging, beautiful. You’re the love of my life. I’ve never met anyone I’ve enjoyed being bossed around by more. You make me a better man, and I want to keep getting better with you by my side. Helen, I love you. Will you marry me?”
A huge smile spread across Helen’s face. “Of course I will, you fool.” She held out her left hand. “Now put that ring on my finger.”
Gunner made a show of mopping his forehead before pulling out the ring and sliding it onto Helen’s finger.
“It’s beautiful.” Helen kissed Gunner.
“Just like you.”
Helen gave a little hop before turning and flinging herself into my arms. “I’m getting married!”
“I noticed.” I hugged her, happy to see my best friend so thrilled.
Helen pulled back, a serious look on her face. “I must get planning. I’ve got a few ideas, but there’ll be so much to do. There’s the dress, the venue, the food, the cake. Oh, and what about decorations and music? And then the honeymoon, and—”
Gunner pulled Helen back toward him and kissed her. “We’ve got time for all of that. Let’s enjoy the fact we’re engaged for five minutes before you go into crazy-bride planning mode.”
“How about a celebratory meal at the pub?” asked Zach. “I want to celebrate the fact my brother is getting hitched.”
“That will be perfect.” Helen smiled. “And I get a night off of cooking for all of you.”
Gunner slung an arm around her shoulders. “You love cooking for us. You always complain if I order takeout.”
“That’s because my food is so much better than takeout.”
“That’s why I’m marrying you.”
Helen frowned. “You’d better be joking.”
I laughed. “Come on. Let’s go eat, and we can discuss wedding plans.”
As we walked toward the village, I slowed and glanced back at the memorial. This was a happy place and had given Amelia the peace she needed to move on. I was glad. She’d been a stubborn ghost and had been wrong to interfere in our lives, but grief makes people do strange things. Now this was over, we could all move on.
“Lorna, come on.” Helen gestured for me to catch-up. “I have to talk to you about bridesmaid dresses and color schemes.”
I grinned as I hurried toward her, Flipper by my side. We were all moving on. I had a feeling the next few months would be busy.
K E O'Connor, Ghostly Proposal
