Page 76 of Ghost

Francis smiled warmly.“You are a kind and gentle man.”

Once Mason was downstairs, he walked into the living room.“Wow, I really do need some furniture.I have nothing to sit on but that sofa and folding beach chairs.”

Francis chuckled behind him.“Yes, I do think that you should consider some other furnishing, although I do not think that Ellen will care.”

“What does she like to drink, do you know?”Mason hurried past Francis towards the kitchen.“All I have is coffee, water and beer.”

“I can assure you that Ellen will not be accepting an offer of beer.”Francis laughed.

“You’re not helping.”Mason scowled.

“I am afraid that I cannot help in this matter,” Francis explained.“Remember, she was a child when I left the world of the living.”He paused a moment.“Actually, as I remember now, she loved lemonade as a child.”

Mason thought a moment.“I wonder if Nick has any in his store.”He looked at Francis.“I’ll be right back.I’ll leave the note for Mrs.Trudeau and then run down to see if Nick has any.”

Francis smiled.

“Don’t run off,” Mason said quickly, smirking before he shut the door behind him.

* * * * *

Mason could hear Francisbefore he saw him, after opening the door.He set the bag on the breakfast bar in the kitchen and rushed to the living room.There he found Mr.and Mrs.Trudeau and Francis.She was sitting, just as primly as the night before, with a gentle smile on her face while Mr.Trudeau and Francis were standing, both laughing.

“Sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived.”Mason was a bit out of breath.

Francis turned towards him.“I hope that you do not mind that I asked them to come in.”

“No, of course not.It’s your house,” Mason said, slightly surprised.

Ellen laughed.“Actually, it is your house, Mason.”She waved towards Francis, discounting him.“He was only the former owner.”

Mason frowned slightly.“I still consider this to be Francis’ home.”

“Francis, do you remember Charlotte Young?”Ellen asked.

“Indeed, I do.”Francis looked puzzled.“Why do you ask, cousin?”

Ellen pointed towards Mason.“It is the same...but more.”

Francis’ eyebrows shot up, and his mouth dropped open.He looked from his cousin to Mason and then back again.

Ellen giggled, her hand over her mouth.“How could you not have seen it?”

“What are you talking about?”Mason asked, frowning once again.

“My dear, Mason, you are in love with Francis.”She smiled warmly towards him.She then looked at Francis.“And I dare say, that he is also in love with you, which he wasnotwith Miss Charlotte Young!”

Mason and Francis looked at each other.Mason could feel his face go hot.

“Now then, I was told that you were off to obtain some lemonade; is that correct?”Ellen was sitting there, grinning.“I would love a glass, thank you, Mason.”

Mason blinked a few times before turning to fetch the lemonade.

He pulled out a glass, doubled checked that it was clean.Popped a few ice cubes into it, then poured the premade lemonade into the glass.He’d also picked up a package of shortbread cookies, which he put on a small plate.He wiped his hands on his jeans before picking up either.

He felt numb.Could it be true that he had fallen in love with Francis?That’s ridiculous!Francis is a ghost.How can anyone fall in love with a ghost?He gathered up the glass and plate and took them into Ellen.Is it odd that I have feelings for him?A ghost?

“Um...here you go.I’m sorry but the only thing that Nick had was this premade, bottled lemonade.I’m not sure how good it is.”