Chapter Ten

“Every time I talk to you, I have to remind you not to call me baby. I don’t like it,” she said. “I never did, and I never will.”

“Hey, sorry,” he said, and didn’t sound at all contrite. “I wondered if you knew when you’ll be home. The company has a big charity function next week and I want my girl on my arm.”

She tried to keep her sigh in and barely succeeded. “I won’t be back until after Halloween. It’s taking longer than I thought to find Gran’s special tree.”

There was a long pause on his end. “I see.”

She knew that tone in his voice. The pitch always dropped an octave when he got annoyed. “I’m sorry. You’ll have to go by yourself or maybe you can ask one of the women you spent the whole time with at the last event.”

“I told you, they were important clients.”

Renee began to pace. “I know what you said, and I know what I saw. Wayne, you may as well know, I think I might move to Garland Falls.”

“You can’t. I forbid you to make such a rash decision.”

She narrowed her eyes, even though he couldn’t see. “You…forbid? That’s it. We’re done. Don’t call me anymore. I’ll have someone come over and pack up my stuff.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, really I am. Why don’t I come out there and we’ll talk.”

“Why don’t you stay there and realize we were over a long time ago.” She sat on the window seat. “I’m sorry, Wayne, but I think this is best for both of us.”

She hung up and leaned back. “Well, I did it, Gran. Wayne and I are through.”

Her grandmother materialized next to her. “I heard. Are you okay?”

“Better than okay. Now that it’s done, I feel great.” She got up and laid out clothes on the bed. “And I have a date with Parker for dinner.” She grinned. “Now him, I like.”

“I’ll let you get ready. I want to see if Lily’s ghost will come out and talk to me. Have a good time, dear.”

Her grandmother vanished and Renee headed for the shower. After the heartbreak of losing her parents and her grandparents, the light at the end of the tunnel of grief no longer felt like a train headed straight for her. Now, warm, cheery sunshine glowed bright instead, and it was all because of a man named Parker Callahan.

****

Parker walked up and down the rows of mums behind his brother’s shop. He needed the right color combination for the B and B’s front porch. He’d finished the gardens around the foundation several days before. Now the steps and the porch needed a few last touches to be perfect.

He knelt to tag another large mum with dark maroon flowers. A match to it sat right across the row. As he tagged its mate, his brother walked up and pulled a flat cart stacked with ten large containers filled with purple asters and a small shovel.

“You and Renee Tate find her special tree yet?”

Parker glanced over his shoulder. “We’ve looked every day but haven’t had any luck so far.”

Lucas squatted down beside him. “Mrs. Hall says you’ve been kind of scarce this year.”

“I’ve been busy.” He continued to check over the mums around him. “I always have a lot to do this time of year, but now Miss Dee wants me to help Renee, too.”

“Parker, stop messing with those flowers for a minute and look at me.” He waited until he had his brother’s attention. Lucas stared at him, then nodded. “Yep. You’ve got it bad.”

“What? The pox?”

“No, you idiot. You’re in love. It’s one of my talents.” He dusted his hands on his pants. “And I went through it myself a couple of months ago, remember? So, I know what I’m talking about.”

“Yeah, I remember.” Parker stared at the tags in his hands. “I didn’t think I’d ever find someone to love me. Even the residents in town avoid me.”

Lucas laughed. “No, they don’t. You avoid them. The people here love you. They know what your talents are, and trust me, they’re okay with them. I tell you all the time to talk to people more. I mean, Mrs. Hall and Miss Dee think the world of you.”

“I talk to Renee. She likes me.”

Lucas grinned. “Does she like you or love you?”

Parker walked over to two large orange mums and tagged them. “I don’t know. I think she might love me. The captain shoved me into her arms, and she held me. She also held my hand today.”

“Then, little bro, you need to let her know how you feel.”

“Can you get these dug up for me? I also need two light purple and two yellow, all about the same size. I have to go.” He grinned at Lucas. “I have a date.”

“I don’t believe it. You don’t date.”

He shrugged. “I guess I do now.”

Parker got in his truck and drove home. A quick shower and a check of his pockets to make sure he had all he needed. Plenty of cash in his wallet for dinner and whatever else she might want. Maybe he would tell her tonight about himself and what he could do. If his luck held, she’d understand and wouldn’t run in the other direction. Lucas believed she had the same abilities as he did. Well, it was time for him to find out for sure.

The truck idled to a stop in the B and B’s driveway. Parker walked up to the door and commanded his stomach to settle down. He ran a hand through his hair and straightened his shoulders. The door opened, and Miss Dee stood there and smiled at him.

“Parker Callahan, are you going to come in or stand on the porch all night?”

“I’m coming in. Renee and I have a dinner date.”

Miss Dee swung the door open wider. “Oh, I know. Her grandmother told me.” She shut the door behind him, and they walked to the drawing room. “She’s still upstairs. Have you seen the captain tonight?”

“Not yet. I expect he’ll turn up when he’s ready.” He grinned. “He likes to mess with me.”

Miss Dee gestured for him to sit in the wingback chair across from the small couch and stood in front of him. “You’ve got a lot of nervous energy in you tonight. What’s wrong?”

Parker sat and laced and unlaced his fingers. “I like Renee.”

“It was obvious to me when you two first met. What else is on your mind?”

“Miss Dee, do you think she’d understand about what I can do?”

She chuckled and kissed the top of his head. “She might be a little shocked at first, but the two of you have almost the same, I guess powers is an appropriate term. I’m not sure if she’s a spirit conduit like you, but I bet she has some abilities similar to yours.”

“What if I’m wrong?”

Dee waved her hand in the air. “Pish tosh. That girl has already fallen for you, and that’s half the battle right there. You tell her whatever she wants to know. You’ll see. She’ll understand.”

He heard footsteps on the stairs. “I hope you’re right, Miss Dee,” he mumbled.

Renee smiled at him as she entered the drawing room. “Have you been here long? I didn’t mean to make you wait.”

Parker jumped to his feet. “I’ve just been here for a few minutes. Should we go?”

“You two have a nice time,” Dee said as she headed to the kitchen.

He looked Renee over, and his heart skipped a beat. She had applied light makeup, which made her green eyes stand out. The pale blue shirt accented the fairness of her skin and the auburn highlights in her hair. Black slacks showed off her slim figure and, for a change, her shoes had low heels.

“You look nice,” he stammered out.

Her cheeks turned pink under her makeup. “Thanks. So do you.”

Wow, he gave her credit for being a good liar. He’d thrown on a pair of black jeans and a faded green, button-down shirt. He wore his work boots, because he had no good shoes. Next to her, he felt shabby and underdressed. He held the door for her, and they walked out to his truck.

Since the diner had more of a date vibe than the pizzeria, they ended up there again. For the first time, Parker wished they had someplace a little fancier in Garland Falls. They sat at the same booth at the back they always seemed to occupy. Sally came and took their orders and hurried off again at her usual breakneck pace.

“So, um, how did the rest of your day go?” he asked.

“Fine. My boyfriend called me, and I broke up with him. I can’t believe I stayed with him for so long.” She smiled her thanks at Sally when their food appeared as if by magic. “I think I might move to Garland Falls.”

Would it be bad manners to dance on the tables at her news? Probably. He took a deep breath and hoped he could play it cool. “That’s great. Garland Falls is a nice town.”

She glanced up at him. “I’d hoped you’d like the idea. I still have to think about it some more, but my mind is almost made up. I like it here.” She laid her hand over his. “I like the people, too. Some more than others.”

He curled his fingers around hers. “I like you, too.” He gazed at her for a few minutes when a voice caught his attention. Not Lucas. Not now. “I think my brother’s here.”

“He waved at the back of your head, so I’d have to say, you’re right. Here he comes.”

Lucas strode down the aisle and pushed into the booth next to Parker. “Hey, guys. Fancy meeting you here.”

Parker smacked his brother’s hand when he reached for a French fry. “Not that much of a coincidence. Why are you here?”

“I wanted to make sure you made it to your date.” He smiled at Renee. “Nice to see you again. He doesn’t date much. I always have to check up on his manners. You know, to make sure he’s behaving himself.”

Parker shoved his side into his brother and forced Lucas to the edge of the seat. “It’s fine. Go home.”

“I’m waiting for a to-go order. Thought I’d come over and say hi.”

“Hi and goodbye. This is a two-person date.” Parker elbowed his in the ribs. “Beat it, before I tell your wife what an obnoxious jerk you’re being right now.”

Renee coughed and held a napkin in front of her mouth. The way her eyes sparkled, he knew she tried hard not to laugh. She cleared her throat and said, “It’s nice to see you again, Lucas, but Parker’s right. You need to wait for your order elsewhere.”

Lucas gave a dramatic sigh and stood. “I know when I’m not wanted. See you later, little bro.”

After he left, Renee said, “Why does Lucas wear a cowboy hat? I mean, Minnesota is nothing like Texas.”

Parker glanced over his shoulder at his brother. “He works outside all day. He says it helps to keep his neck from getting burned. My opinion is, he likes to wear it.”

Renee laughed. “I think you hit the nail on the head.”