Chapter Five

Gran floated by the window, turning to give Renee a big smile. “Parker’s here. He sure is easy on the eyes.”

“Gran, what would Gramps say if he heard you talk like that?” Renee ran her brush through her hair one more time. “I don’t think he’d approve.”

“Your grandfather knew I could appreciate a handsome man.” She gazed at Parker again. “Just like he could comment on a beautiful woman. We both knew we didn’t mean anything by it.”

Renee grabbed her purse. “That is already way more than I needed to know. Will you be okay by yourself for a bit?”

“Of course I will. I’ve met some wonderful ghosts around here. There’s a sea captain who tells some wonderful stories, and a couple of lovely Victorian ladies. I’ll go have a chat with them.”

“I sensed about three or four.” She paused. “Can you see if they have any information about the north woods? I’d like to know why it feels so dark or depressing or whatever it is making the woods feel so wrong over there.”

“I’ll do my best. Now, hurry along. It’s bad manners to make a handsome man wait.”

The presence of the other ghosts had surrounded her, but none had made themselves known. None of them had felt bad or malicious. She grinned. Like Miss Dee would put up with any ghostly shenanigans. Her grandmother would keep some of them in line, too, if needed.

Renee stared at her reflection for a moment in the small mirror hanging above the dresser. If she knew who haunted the woods on the north side of the B and B, she might be able to help the poor spirit. She sighed. Maybe Gran would find out some information tonight. She ran the brush through her hair one more time and left her room.

She got to the foyer as Parker walked inside. Gran’s right again. He’s very easy on the eyes. Funny feelings cruised through her insides, making her heart skip beats and her breath come out in short bursts. Her palms were clammy and, for a moment, she was back in high school, staring at her secret crush.

His tawny hair was still damp, making it appear darker than usual. Those hazel eyes seemed to look right through her. The faded jean jacket couldn’t hide those broad shoulders. He’d tucked his red, plaid shirt into worn jeans, and showed off the tapered waist. Even though he had long legs, he didn’t stand much taller than her own five-foot seven-inch height. He shuffled from foot to foot, and she could almost swear he was nervous.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked.

“Yes.” She yanked on her jacket and slung her purse over her shoulder. “Let’s go. I’m starved.”

He opened the door for her and followed her out to his truck. He held the door open and waited until she settled herself in the seat before he closed it. A girl could get used to this. As he got in and started the engine, it dawned on her that Wayne never did things like this for her. Most times, she felt lucky he noticed her at all.

Parker pulled up in front of a small diner in the middle of what looked like the main drag through town. Businesses lined both sides of the two-lane street. A hardware store, a bookstore, a cute, little cookie shop, and a general store caught her eye. Other specialty shops, decorated for the upcoming Halloween holiday, beckoned to her to come in and browse. Her stomach growled and, for right now, shopping would have to wait.

He hurried around and opened her door. She stepped out and stared at the diner. In between pumpkins, witches, ghosts, and black cats, fall leaves adorned the windows. Fluffy spider garland outlined the doorframe. They walked in, and she noted leaves of all shapes and colors were taped to the counter and the back of the register. The diner had to be popular from the amount of customers inside.

Parker waved to a petite redhead serving a couple of gentlemen seated at the counter and grabbed two menus. “Hi, Sally. We’ll grab a booth at the back.”

“Help yourself, Parker. I’ll be with you in a minute. We’re hopping tonight.”

He waited until Renee settled on the red vinyl covered bench seat before he sat across from her. She took the menu he held out and looked over the selection. “You’re quite the gentleman, aren’t you?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Guys back home don’t hold the door or help a girl in and out of cars or wait to sit down.” She grinned and leaned close. “Are you from another time?”

He shook his head. “No, my brother and I were brought up to have good manners. My mother would have a fit if she knew I wasn’t being a gentleman. She always insisted we know proper behavior.”

“My grandmother always said she’d like for decent manners to come back into fashion. I guess they have here in Garland Falls.” She paused. “My boyfriend back home never does this kind of stuff for me.”

She frowned a little when his hands stilled and he laid the menu on the table. “You’re involved with someone?”

Do some damage control, quick, her brain screamed. “Yeah, but I’m not sure for how much longer. I think he keeps me around to make sure he has someone to take to his company’s different functions. He says it makes him look good to his boss if he has a date.”

“That’s not a good basis for a relationship.”

Renee sighed. “Gran says, I mean, used to say, the same thing. Wayne’s a good guy, but I’ve started to think he’s not for me. What about you? Any lady friend for you?”

He dropped his gaze to the menu. “No. I work too much.”

Sally hurried over, notepad in hand. “What can I get for you two tonight?”

“I think I’ll have the baked chicken with mashed potatoes,” Renee said. “And iced tea and a bowl of tomato soup.”

Parker handed the menus to Sally. “Sounds good. I’ll have the same.”

She scribbled on the pad and hurried off. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

Renee folded her arms on the table. “If you don’t date, what do you do in your spare time?”

“Read, watch movies with my brother, dinner at my parents’ house.”

“Have you ever traveled?”

Parker dumped his silverware out of the white, paper napkin. “I visited a couple of cities. I didn’t like them. Too big. Too noisy. Not enough plants or flowers around. I felt a little lost.”

“Well, Garland Falls is certainly green. I guess cities are too big and loud.” She rearranged her silverware a couple of times. “I like the hustle of city life, probably because I lived most of my life in one. There’s always someplace to go or something to do.”

He nodded at Sally as she put their drinks down before she scurried off again. “There’s more to life than to always be on the run,” he said. “I like the slower pace of small towns. I don’t want to feel obligated to always have my time occupied.”

She paused in the middle of opening her straw. “I never thought of it that way before.”

He shrugged and gave her a small smile.

Sally put their plates down and hurried off again. Renee ate in silence as she thought about Parker’s low opinion of city life. Had she become such an extreme urbanite she couldn’t appreciate the small, simple things around her anymore? Could that be why she stayed with Wayne? Because he liked the same life she did? If so, Parker was right. Not a good basis for a relationship.

When they finished, she stopped him from pulling out his wallet and paid. “No way, Mr. Callahan. This dinner is on me. How can it be a thank you dinner if you pay?”

“You’re right. This one’s on you.”

They walked outside and the stars were just starting to shine in the evening sky. Most of the shops were closed for the night, so she couldn’t explore Main Street until later. She walked away from his truck to gaze in the windows. Movement out of the corner of her eye made her turn. A wispy, female figure in a Victorian dress floated a few feet away from her. The apparition turned and bowed her head before disappearing.

“Did you see something?” he asked.

“I thought I did.” She glanced to where the apparition had been and shook her head. “I guess it was a trick of the light.”

How to explain she could see ghosts and, if they wanted, talk to them? Could she explain how her grandmother had the same ability and helped her develop her own? Would Parker understand or would he think she was nuts and avoid her? As much as she wanted to tell him, she didn’t want to take the risk. Better to keep silent and not scare him off.

“Will we look for the tree some more tomorrow?” she asked.

“I can help you in the morning, but I have more deliveries to make in the afternoon for the fall festival.” He huffed out a breath. “My brother keeps texting me to make sure I come help him.”

“Oh.” They crossed the street so she could look at the other shops before they headed back to his truck. “Could I come into town with you? I’d like to look in some of the stores.”

“Sure.” He paused. “Wouldn’t you rather drive yourself? I mean, you have your own car.”

She shook her head. “I don’t see many parking lots, and let’s just say my parallel parking skills are lacking a bit.” She winked. “Actually, those particular skills are lacking quite a lot. I gave up trying to master it years ago.”

He chuckled. “Makes sense.”

Back at his truck, he held the door for her again and soon they were on their way back to the B and B. He walked her up to the front door and opened it. Why did the night have to end so soon? Her mind blanked on her as she tried to find the words to make him stay.

“I guess I’ll see you in the morning then?” she asked.

“Yep. See you tomorrow.”

She walked inside and watched him drive off before shutting the door. Sure, she could’ve driven herself into town, but why do that when she could ride in with the very handsome Parker Callahan? And what she told him was the absolute truth. She wasn’t any good at parallel parking.

Her mind drifted back to the differences between the two men in her life. She couldn’t stop herself from comparing Parker and Wayne. She hadn’t wanted to say goodnight to Parker. Most times when she was with Wayne, it felt more like an obligation or a chore. There were a lot of nights when she couldn’t wait for their dates to be done. Both men had good qualities, but the scales were tipping more and more in Parker’s favor.

Maybe the time had come to listen with her heart instead of her head. Her head wasn’t as smart as it thought.