The Ghost of Second Chances Read online

  “And Heather?” Danielle asked.

  “Heather is one of those people who believed because she wanted to please the adults in her world, but deep down, she didn’t quite believe them. After a time, she learned to have faith in herself again and was able to see spirits, like she did when she was a child. As for Walt, he woke up in Clint’s body already knowing about the existence of spirits—of Marie and myself. So there was nothing to stop him from seeing and hearing us. But will he see other spirits as you do? I assume so, yet I’m not positive.”

  “If all that’s true, then why can’t Lily see spirits? Oh, I know she saw Darlene, but why couldn’t she see Walt when he was a spirit? She believed in him. And what about the others, like Ian and the Chief. They believed in Walt,” Danielle asked.

  Eva smiled at Danielle before answering. “Because some habits are simply too hard to break. They’ve spent a lifetime ignoring the spirit world. Simply believing now doesn’t mean they can once again see spirits like when they were children. And it’s entirely possible when they were young children they didn’t see spirits. It happens, you know.”

  “I’m sorry I screamed like a dumb Dora a minute ago,” Walt apologized. “I suppose I’ve been afraid none of this is real—or won’t last. But I am pleased to know I’m able to see and hear both of you.” He smiled at Marie and Eva.

  Marie, who had been glaring at Walt, finally let out a sigh and smiled in his direction. “Can I ask you one thing?”

  “Certainly,” Walt told her.

  “What’s with the beard?”

  Reaching up to briefly stroke his heavily stubbled chin, Walt grinned at Marie. “I forgot what a chore it is to shave every morning. After not picking up a razor for over ninety years, I find it might take me a little while to get back in the habit again.”

  Four

  Chet Morrison pulled his car to a stop in front of Marlow House. With the engine still running, he sat in the driver’s seat, his hands firmly planted on the steering wheel, and debated going up to the front door. There were no cars parked in front of the bed and breakfast, and all the front blinds were drawn. He wondered if perhaps no one was home.

  Shifting his vehicle into reverse, Chet backed up so he could look down the driveway. With the car idling, he peered down the side of the house and spied Danielle’s car. Backing up a little more so he could get a clearer view, movement caught his eye. If he wasn’t mistaken, it was Danielle, and she wasn’t alone. It was a man using crutches, and she was helping him make his way to the back door.

  “She really did take the guy in,” Chet said under his breath. With a grunt, he put his car back in drive and stepped on the gas.

  Minutes later Chet pulled his car in front of Adam Nichols’s property management office.

  Adam didn’t bother standing up when Chet entered his office late Wednesday morning, but remained seated behind his desk. “What do you need?”

  “My sister’s giving me a hard time,” Chet said as he flopped down in one of the two empty chairs facing Adam. “She says it’s time I found a place of my own.”

  Adam leaned back in his desk chair while studying Chet. “So you’re here looking for a rental? I have to tell you, most of my inventory is vacation rental. I don’t think you want to pay what they’re going for. Not full-time.”

  “Yeah. You gave me a flyer the last time I was in here. Prices are kind of steep. I was thinking maybe I could just rent a room someplace, not a house or apartment.”

  Adam shrugged. “Sorry, I can’t help you there.”

  “I was thinking about a room at Marlow House. That’s why I’m here. I know you’re friends with Danielle Boatman.”

  “Marlow House? It’s a bed and breakfast. Considering Danielle’s rates, you’d be better off renting one of my houses.” Adam sat up straighter in his chair, leaning over his desk while resting his elbows on the desktop.

  “Boatman likes me. I could tell. She has a thing for me. If I work it right, I bet she’ll let me stay there for practically nothing. After all, she doesn’t need the money. From what I hear, she’s loaded.”

  “Danielle doesn’t have a thing for you. She doesn’t even like you,” Adam said with a snort.

  “BS. She cut her freaking hair after I told her she should. Women don’t do that unless they want to impress the guy. And I’m that guy.”

  Adam leaned back in his chair again. “So what do you need me for? Go on over to Marlow House and get yourself a free room. I would love to see how that works.” Adam chuckled.

  “She’s still playing it cool with me. She’s embarrassed. I don’t want to spook her. I thought if you took me over there, make up some excuse why we’re stopping by, and then you can mention I’m looking for a room.”

  “And you think she’s just going to offer you one?”

  “I won’t make it easy for her.” Chet chuckled. “I was rather thinking she’d end up begging me to take it when we’re done with her.”

  “Oh really? And exactly what are ‘we’ going to do to get her to be so accommodating?”

  “You don’t have to do anything. Just get me in the door with you. I’ll do the rest,” Chet smirked.

  “While I’m tempted to take you over there just to see you make a fool of yourself, I don’t think this is a good time. From what I understand, Danielle is picking up Clint Marlow from the hospital today.” Adam then thought, I don’t think she needs two jerks on her hands.

  “Is he the one with the cast on his leg?” Chet asked.

  Adam shrugged. “I heard he had a broken leg.”

  “He’s the one who was in the car accident, and his fiancée was killed?”

  “Yes. They were staying at Marlow House before the accident.”

  “I heard from Carla at the diner that he has amnesia,” Chet said.

  “That’s what I heard.”

  “Carla also said he’s a major tool.”

  Adam chuckled. “Again true. I feel a little guilty; I’m the one who sent him Danielle’s B and B website. He looks just like Walt Marlow’s portrait.”

  “Yeah. I heard about all that. He’s at Marlow House now. Which is one reason I need to get over there and stake my claim.”

  “You’re on your own, Chet. Danielle is a friend of mine.”

  “I thought I was a friend too?” Chet asked. “If it weren’t for me, you would have gotten your ass busted for breaking into the gym back in our senior year.”

  “That was a million years ago. And as I remember, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have broken into the gym. You and those damn Bandoni brothers!” Adam grumbled.

  “They’re okay. In fact, I’m heading out to see them after I leave here.”

  “I thought they would be dead or in prison by now.”

  “No, still kicking and living in their grandma’s house. She died a couple of years ago.”

  “Yeah, I’ve run into them a few times when I’ve been in Astoria. Didn’t know they were back at their grandmother’s house.”

  Chet nodded. “To be honest, I don’t think they ever moved out. I can’t say I blame them. The house might be old, but it’s not far from the beach, and I bet it would be worth a fortune now.”

  “I can’t believe you’re still friends with those guys. Back in high school, I remember them coming to town and causing trouble just about every weekend.”

  “That’s because their grandma would have given them hell if she found out they were causing trouble in Astoria. Small town.”

  “Frederickport’s a small town,” Adam reminded him.

  “True. But their grandma didn’t live here, and they didn’t go to school here.”

  “So what, you kept in touch with them all these years?” Adam asked.

  “Nah. But when I came back to Frederickport, I drove over to Astoria and ran into them. They needed an extra hand for a job they were doing, so they hired me. I can always use the money.”

  “What kind of work?” Adam asked.

  Chet shrugged. “Ju
st handyman stuff.”

  “Handyman stuff?” Adam said with a snort. “Didn’t you flunk woodshop?”

  “Shut up.” Chet stood. “If you aren’t going to help me with Danielle, I’ll get going.”

  “Leave her alone, Chet. Seriously. You’re wasting your time. Trust me. All you’re going to do is piss her off, and you really don’t want to piss off Danielle.”

  Chet laughed. “You just worry about your Melony. I’ve got Danielle Boatman under control. Just wait and see. Before you know it, I’ll be living rent-free in Marlow House, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Danielle insists on buying me a new car. She can afford it.”

  “Yeah, right,” Adam said under his breath as he stood up to see Chet out.

  Standing at his office window looking outside, Adam watched as Chet got into a dilapidated car parked by the sidewalk in front of his building. The vehicle was in serious need of painting—first the dents would need to be hammered out. But considering the amount of rust Adam could see from where he stood, he doubted that would be possible.

  “Yeah, right, Danielle is going to buy you a car. Dream on, buddy,” Adam said under his breath. Turning from the window, he sat back down at his desk and picked up his phone to call Danielle.

  “Hey, Adam, what’s going on?” Danielle asked when she answered her phone a moment later.

  “I wanted to give you a heads-up. Chet might be stopping by Marlow House.”

  “Chet?”

  “The guy you have a thing for. Remember, he’s the reason you cut your hair,” Adam teased.

  “Eww, gross. Why is he stopping by Marlow House?”

  “Sounds like his sister is tired of his freeloading and wants him out. He can’t really afford to rent much. He has this crazy idea about staying in a room at Marlow House.”

  “First of all, I am not a boardinghouse. Second, if he’s having a problem coming up with rent money, I seriously doubt he could afford one of my rooms.”

  “But, Danielle, he’s not planning to pay,” Adam said sweetly, trying his best not to break out in laughter. “At least not much.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “He figures with a little sweet-talking he can get you to let him stay there for practically nothing. Maybe even free.”

  “Sweet-talking? Umm, his idea of sweet-talking is pretty warped. And stay for free? Are you serious?”

  “I’m afraid I am. Also, he thinks he’ll get you to buy him a car. Not right away, of course. And I have to say, he could use a new car. He’s driving a pile of crap right now.”

  “This guy is delusional!”

  “I always thought he was missing a few fries from his Happy Meal.” Adam let out a laugh and then added, “Who am I kidding? He’s missing the entire burger patty.”

  “I don’t need this aggravation,” Danielle grumbled.

  “That’s why I wanted to give you a heads-up. Chet isn’t dangerous. Well, at least I don’t think so. But he’s always been persistent and somewhat annoying.”

  “Annoying I will agree with.” Danielle let out a sigh. “Thanks for warning me. You think he’s going to show up today?”

  “He said something about heading to Astoria to see some friends there. So hopefully he won’t show up on your doorstep today. But when he does, I just wanted you to be prepared.”

  “Thanks, Adam. I do appreciate it. I rather wish I hadn’t cut my hair now.”

  “Why do you wish you hadn’t cut your hair?” Walt asked Danielle after she got off the phone. He sat on the parlor sofa, his cast propped up on the coffee table.

  Adam had called Danielle’s cellphone just as she had walked into the parlor, carrying a plated slice of chocolate cake for Walt. When answering the phone several minutes earlier, she had set the plate on the small parlor desk while Walt waited patiently.

  Now off the phone, she set it on the desk and picked up the plate of cake, carrying it to Walt.

  “Remember I told you about the guy who tried that lame pickup technique called negging on me?” Danielle asked as she handed him the cake.

  “Yes.” Walt’s attention shifted from what Danielle was saying to the plate of chocolate cake now in his hand. Just as Danielle started to further explain the call, Walt took a bite of the cake. Before finishing her sentence, Walt abruptly held up his hand to stop her from talking. He closed his eyes and moaned.

  Startled by his sudden change of demeanor, she asked, “What is it?”

  Shaking his head, Walt waved her away and then took a second bite. After a moment, he looked up into her eyes and said, “This. Is. Heaven.”

  Five

  Police Chief MacDonald’s youngest son, Evan, was taller than other second graders. Lean and lanky, with a sweet face, enormous brown eyes, and thick long lashes women would pay a fortune to have—and he had a secret. Like Danielle Boatman, he could see ghosts.

  On Wednesday afternoon Evan didn’t eat lunch with his classmates, as he normally did. Instead, he stayed in the classroom with his teacher, Lily Bartley. The two sat at the reading table together, Evan eating a ham and cheese sandwich while Lily munched on baby carrots, celery, and chunks of cheddar cheese. They were alone in the room.

  “I can’t believe Walt is coming home today. Do you think it’s really him?” Evan asked.

  Lily glanced at the wall clock and then picked up another carrot. “He should be there by now. And Danielle seems to think it’s him.”

  “How come you didn’t visit him in the hospital? I asked my dad to take me to see him, but he said I had to wait until he came home.”

  “I didn’t see him for probably the same reason your dad didn’t want to take you to the hospital.” Lily bit off half of the carrot and chewed it up.

  Evan frowned. “What’s that?”

  “Clint was nothing but a stranger to you. So why would you be visiting him? Your dad knows all kinds of people at the hospital. They’d think it strange if he took you to see him.”

  “But I thought you knew Walt’s cousin?”

  Lily chuckled. “Barely. Plus, it’s common knowledge I thought he was a jerk. I ran into him once at Pier Café, and he was so rude to me. It was embarrassing.”

  “Oh.” Evan finished half his sandwich. He then looked at Lily, his brows drawn into a frown, and asked, “What are people going to say when you’re friends with Walt now? Aren’t they still gunna think it’s strange?”

  Lily let out a sigh. “You have a point. But I figure people will think I’m going over to Marlow House to see Dani and, well, people’s opinions can change. And after a while people will forget how Clint acted when he first arrived and start to like him.”

  “What if they don’t?” Evan asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Maybe they won’t forget. Jody Pepper barfed in Miss Anne’s kindergarten class. All over the wooden blocks. They had to throw the blocks away. She still gets teased about it. No one forgot.”

  Lily let out another sigh. Evan had a point. Jody was also in her class, and just yesterday she had to tell two of her students to stop calling the girl Jody Barfy Block.

  “And what if it isn’t Walt?” Evan asked.

  “It is. I’m sure of it,” Lily insisted.

  “How do you know? You haven’t seen him yet,” Evan reminded her.

  Lily absently twisted the end of her red braid as she considered the question. How did she know? Lily had been the optimistic cheerleader through the ordeal, telling Danielle to stop fretting when Walt initially took over Clint’s body and was still in the coma. But since he had woken up and she hadn’t seen him for herself, doubt had managed to creep into her subconscious. She couldn’t wait until school was out, and she could see Walt for herself and assuage her fears. Glancing at the clock again, she counted the hours until she could go home. Ian had taken Sadie to Salem that morning and had promised to be back in time to pick her up at school, after which they both planned to go to Marlow House and see Walt. She hoped it really was Walt.

  They say cats
sleep thirteen to sixteen hours a day. Max’s daily average tended to be on the high end, especially during the last few days. Evenings at Marlow House had been rather lonely without Walt to hang out with. Marie stopped by regularly, yet hers were not nocturnal visits. She had other haunts after sunset, and they didn’t include chatting with a contrary feline.

  The black cat had been napping on the attic sleeper sofa since before Danielle had left to pick up Walt at the hospital, when a bird hit the window. Jolted awake, Max lifted his head and yawned. He looked to the source of the sound. Blinking his eyes, he quickly leapt from the sofa to the windowsill and peered outside. Looking down, he caught a glimpse of the stunned bird lying on the ground below the parlor window. His white-tipped ears twitched.

  Jumping down to the floor, with the intention of going downstairs and having a closer look at the bird, he started for the open door. What he failed to see as he made his way down the attic stairs a few moments later was the stunned bird regaining consciousness and flying away.

  Walt sat alone in the parlor, contemplating making his way to the backyard so he could sit outside again. Unfortunately, his crutches were sitting on the other side of the room, and he figured the only way to get them would be to hop. For a moment he missed his ghostly powers—it would have been a snap to float the crutches across the room. Of course, that would also mean he would not need the crutches in the first place.

  Absently, Walt waved his right hand and looked at it. There was no lit cigar between two of his fingers. He didn’t expect there would be. The wave was more a habit—not much different from the habit of smoking. Danielle had asked him that morning if he missed his cigars. The truth was, smoking as a spirit provided no real sensory stimulation—aside from an olfactory stimulation—something that even those around him also experienced when they could smell the cigar smoke. He didn’t quite understand it, considering a bodiless spirit had no nose, no olfactory nerve. Yet he could also smell the ocean when Danielle would leave the windows open.