Page 5 of Sky’s Guide To Getting His Man & Banishing Ghosts (The Dreamwalkers #1)

Chapter

Four

Skylar

“Sonny. Hello.” I called out for the owner of The Daily Knead. The store appeared deserted, but I knew there was no way the proprietor had left his place unattended. He was a cranky old goat. Inhaling deeply, my mouth watered at the fragrant aroma of fresh bread, sweetness, and spices. “Sonny!”

“Calm your horses,” he griped, storming in from the back.

“Sorry. I just didn’t know if?—”

“What’s your number?” he cut me off, pointing at the number dispenser on the counter. Since I was completely alone in the tiny store, that seemed ridiculous, but I’d learned the hard way that rules were rules.

I glanced over as the door chimed, and a couple of teenage boys came through the doorway. One of them slid between me and the dispenser and pulled a number. Without missing a beat, Sonny looked down next to his register and called, “Number Seventy-five.”

The youth waved it over his head like it was the golden ticket to the Wonka Factory or something. “Right here.”

Sonny huffed. “What you want then?”

Knowing that arguing I was here first wouldn’t get me anywhere, I ignored the other boy’s smug grin and reached past to pull my own winning number. So I’d be next. After them. Unbelievable .

“You gotta be faster, city boy,” the ticket holder said after he gave Sonny his ridiculously long order.

Ignoring his jab, I asked, “Who are you getting all of that bread for?” They’d ordered a pie and some pizza dough, as well, but the eight loaves of different breads were a bit over the top.

The other one, a redhead, popped his gum and lifted his chin in a weird dude-bro kinda way for standing inside of a bakery, ordering like a little Italian grandmother right before Sunday dinner with her extended family. “We’re businessmen.”

Sonny snorted but continued grabbing what they’d asked for. Number boy waved his ticket. “Yeah, we are.”

Amused, I quirked one fabulously-styled eyebrow at him. “Really? And what’s your hustle?”

The redhead scoffed. “No hustle. We’ve got customers. They pay cash money.”

Number boy nodded. “We sure do. All the old people in that senior development off the state streets. We run errands for them and such. Today’s bakery day.”

“Ah.” Impressed, I eyed the two kids down. “You drive?”

The redhead scowled. “Two more months and Craig gets his license.” He thumbed toward his line-cutting friend. “But it don’t matter. We’ve got bikes.”

Sonny’s loud snort drew our attention. “Bikes. Blah. Back in my day, we had to actually use our legs to pedal. It was exercise. You kids today with your motors…lazy. All of ya.”

We all ignored him. “So you run your business riding around on bicycles all day, huh?”

The one named Craig, his chin rose up. “Yeah. What of it? Like Theo said, I’m almost seventeen, and I’ll be able to drive.

We gotta earn money for the car, though.

” His gaze ran from the top of my New York salon cut and dye job to the bottoms of my Gucci loafers.

“Guess you wouldn’t know anything about that, city boy. ”

If only they knew. I’d worked hard and saved every penny to cultivate the air of wealth that appealed to the type of clients I drew for my interior design business. I’d be just as happy in a pair of cut-off shorts, a tank, and cheap slides, but needs must.

The boys paid Sonny based on their separate orders, surprising me when the older man didn’t grouch at them for taking up his time.

Then he handed them each a cheese Danish, making them grin like happy teenagers.

When my eyes widened, he barked, “What? That’s a good thing they do helping out the elderly. ”

Holding up both hands, I agreed, then asked Craig, “You guys got a card?” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“I’m an interior designer, and I have a new job starting in town.

Sometimes I run out or mislay things at inconvenient times.

It would be great if I had someone to call to run things out to me. ”

While he stared at me, likely trying to decide if I was on the up and up, Theo stepped closer, clutching his precious packages in one arm and pointing his Danish at me with the other hand. “I know you.”

Craig frowned, tilting his head and studying me afresh. “You do?”

“Yeah. Yeah. I saw you on,” Gran said with a soft, dreamy look in her eyes.

The fuck?!

You’re the guy who redid that old manor, right? Willowhope.”

Truth be told, I’d picked up a lot of business from my redesign at Chance’s B&B. Jetty’s contractor and handyman business had boomed from his work on it, as well. I didn’t expect kids to have heard about us on YouTube , of all places, though. “I am.”

Theo snapped. “I knew it. The guys on RIPP were talking about that place on their last video.”

Craig grinned. “That’s right. That’s so cool. I hope they come.”

My heart sped up. “Wait. What?”

“Sorry. I forgot you’re probably too old for that podcast. RIPP is?—”

I waved my hand in Theo’s face, cutting him off. “I know what it is. Researchers in Paranormal Phenomenon. I missed the last couple of episodes, but I freaking love that show. They really talked about Willowhope Manor? They mentioned me?” I squealed. “Do you really think they’re coming here?”

Craig snorted. “Chill, dude.”

Theo glared at his friend. “I’d be geeking out, too. Those guys are the best.”

“Right?” I asked.

Sonny cleared his throat loudly. “You two get out of my store and make your deliveries.” He glanced down next to his register. “Number seventy-six.”

The teens snickered and hightailed it out of there, and I placed my order. I was already excited for dinner at Chance’s since Kingston would be there, but I couldn’t wait to tell my bestie that our favorite podcast had mentioned us. Maybe I should stop for a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

The door chimed, and Theo stuck his head back in. “Are you really best friends with the guy who owns the manor?”

“I am.”

Theo grinned wide and strode back in. “If you need anything, especially if it’s out at your friend’s place, hit us up.

I’m into all that paranormal activity stuff.

” He glanced over his shoulder, then leaned in and whispered, “Craig’s not really a believer, but I totally am.

” He handed me his card and scooted back out.

“We need to work on their name,” I muttered as I looked down at the plain white business card that said , Craig & Theo’s Delivery Service .

“Why?” Sonny asked. “Straight and to the point. It’s the best way.” Considering the bakery was called The Daily Knead, I had a feeling someone else helped him name the place. “Now what do you want?”

I placed my order for a fresh loaf of French bread—Kingston’s favorite—and dashed out the door. I couldn’t wait to arrive at Chance’s place. He was going to be so stoked about RIPP. Plus, Kingston would be there, and I was ready to impress him.

“I’m here,” I sing-songed as I skipped through the house straight to the kitchen.

“I expected you earlier,” Chance said from where he sat at the kitchen table with Jetty, Kingston, Scotty, and his ghostly brother, Stevie.

“I can assure you, I have a very good reason for being late.”

“You better have a good reason for bringing in that loaf of bread,” Harry said as he crossed the kitchen and yanked it out of my hands. “Buck made Italian bread to go with my lasagna rolls, and you know it’ll be delicious.”

“Quit scowling, love.” Buck took it from him. “Can’t ever have enough bread.” He winked at me, knowing full well I’d brought it as a way to butter up my man.

“Thank you, Buck. Anyways…” I spun toward the table and clapped my hands together. “Guess what I just found out?”

Chance’s eyes sparkled, and I knew he thought he knew what I was about to say—which I’d get to that—but first this. “Soooo…”

Scotty shook his head. “Always so dramatic.”

“I have good reason, my young friend.” I made my way to the long table and politely scooted Scotty over so that I could sit by Kingston.

Stevie, who’d been on the other side of his brother, made a show of falling off the bench seat onto the floor, but hello!

Apparition. He didn’t really need the seat.

As if to prove my point, he pulled his legs up cross-legged and floated next to his brother.

Scotty snickered as he gave me plenty of room, but I stuck close to Kingston, butted right up to his side so that we were touching. Sue me. Man on a mission, remember?

Scotty sniffed loudly, turned, and planted his nose into the side of my neck. “Wow. You smell good.”

Harry scoffed from the kitchen. “Better than my lasagna?”

Buck’s booming laughter rang out a second before he grabbed his cranky husband’s hand. “I think you need a little regulation exercise, love.” They both disappeared.

“Phew. Mr. Harry’s cranky today,” Chance said.

Jetty nodded sagely. “Probably needs some good loving.”

Chance turned in his seat, peering up at him. “Is that a hint?”

Jetty waggled his brows. Geez . And they all said I was the dramatic one. I had good tea to spill, and I hadn’t been able to get a word in edgewise.

Kingston cleared his throat, drawing all of our attention. “I think Skylar was excited to tell us something.”

Kingston had my back. Swoon . I knew we were destined to be together forever. I leaned into him slightly, smothering a giggle when he glanced down at me sideways.

Deciding to give him a break, I sat back up, smacked my hands on the table, and leaned forward. “If I said the name Rory, what’s the first thing that pops in your head?”

“My best friend in second grade,” Stevie said.

Jetty shook his head. “No, the guy who works nights at the gas station down on Atlantic Avenue. You know the one I’m talking about?” he asked, looking at Kingston.

Kingston nodded. “Yeah, but my mind immediately goes?—”

“RIPP!” Chance yelled, and Kingston grinned, bobbing his head.

“Yep.” He side-eyed me again. “Rory kind of reminds me of you.”