Page 111 of The Ghost of Ellwood

“I’m not mad.” Theo faced us. “I’m only irritated at your recklessness What if something horrible happened to you tonight? I wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it. You didn’t even tell me where you were going.”

“Sorry,” we both said simultaneously.

“I’ll get sheets for the couch,” Theo said, storming away from the window. “Since we don’t have an extra bed.”

After Theo left the room, Carter sighed and finished off his rum. We didn’t say anything more about the events of the night, but I knew our minds were still there. I had a feeling mine would be there for a while.

Theo didn’t follow me when I went to bed. He was upset I didn’t tell him we were going to Redwood. He was also worried.

I tossed and turned for what felt like hours before I finally heard the familiar creaking of the floorboard. He slid into bed and held me close to him. Saying not a word. Being in his arms relaxed me enough to fall asleep, but I didn’t stay that way. All through the night, I woke with a start and it took me forever to go back to sleep.

“It’s all right, darling,” the sweetest voice murmured in my ear after each time I cried out in my sleep. “I’ve got you.”

Breakfast the next morning was quiet.

Theo stayed in the kitchen long enough to make us eggs and sausage before he took his leave.

“Fuck, I really am sorry, Ben.” Carter flicked his bangs from his face. Dark circles were under his eyes. Looked like he slept about as much as I had. “Didn’t mean to put you guys at odds.”

“We’re fine.” I drank my coffee, hoping it’d help wake me up. “He’s worried about me. Worried about you too. He’ll come around eventually.”

Carter walked home a short while later, and I went to my office to work. Not that I could concentrate. After hearing the tale about Lady Death, I had been paranoid for so long. But when months had passed and nothing bad happened to me, I began to think the other two deaths had been a coincidence.

Now? I feared my time was coming.

And there was no stopping it.

“Ben?”

I jumped at the voice and focused on Theo. “Yeah?”

“May I join you?” he asked, hesitating in the doorway.

“You never need to ask.” I walked over and stroked his jaw. He parted his lips and met my gaze. “You’re my muse, remember?”

“Yes. I recall.” The iciness of his demeanor left him and his arms flew around my waist. “Oh, Ben. I do apologize for being so unpleasant. I only—”

“I know,” I said, rubbing his back. “It’s okay.”

“I love you more than I can ever say. The thought of losing you…it’s crushing.”

“I know,” I said again and kissed his temple. “I love you too.”

He sat in his reading chair and opened the book he’d brought from the library. I smiled at him before checking my emails and replying to the ones I deemed important. When I opened up the document to a new book I’d started, I took a breath and started typing.

A writer’s job was never done. There was always a story to be written.

I just hoped my own story wouldn’t be over so soon.

***

As people filed into the room, nerves churned in my stomach. Shane said it was a sold-out convention. I sat at a table in the front of the room, smiling through my nerves as the seats filled with people of all ages.

The launch ofThe Ghost of Ellwoodwas my most successful book release to date. Maybe some of it was due to the high anticipation rate prior to the release, or maybe it was just the right book at the right time. One thing was for sure; I hadn’t expected it.

After the book released in March, I received a plethora of interview requests and had been featured in several magazines. I did another book signing, went on a talk show, and was now at a panel at a book convention about to talk to my readers and answer questions. It was mid-April, and the buzz of the book was still in full swing.

Carter caught my eye from the back of the room and did a thumbs-up motion. He was going to live stream the event so Theo could watch.