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Authors: Linda LaRoque
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couldn’t afford losing that much income.
“How about we trade for room and board? You must get tired of being cramped up in your camper van. You can stay in cabin number one.”
She’d love getting out of the van for awhile, being able to stretch her legs.
“Of course, you’ll have to share with the resident ghost.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Afraid not. Word is, guests leave in the middle of the night. Can’t get out of here fast enough.”
From her childhood experiences, she believed ghosts existed, but she hadn’t seen one in years. Her experience in Chaco Canyon had unnerved her somewhat. She wasn’t about to share that little tidbit, though. No, what she’d seen in her campfire was the result of stress and grief. Not a ghost.
“If you’re afraid, we can do the hookups.”
“The ghost and I will get along just fine.” It’d be nice having a real bathroom, a convenience she had missed the last couple of weeks on the road. She’d develop a great website for Carson and, when her three weeks were up, decide what she wanted to do—settle here or move on.
****
Dewayne cringed as Leo Sharp’s grating laugh echoed through his cell phone. “The lady rigged an extension cord to spark when the door opened.”
What lady? Who was fool enough to blow themselves up for a friend? Surely Susan hadn’t murdered the woman. Nah, she wasn’t capable of hurting an animal, much less a human being. She’d always been a sap. “Has the body been identified yet?”
The voice sobered. “Nope. Has the cops stumped. No one’s reported a woman missing. Her DNA isn’t in the system. It was a well-hatched plan, that’s for sure.”
Yeah, she’d outsmarted him for now, but that would change. He’d find the bitch.
“How you doin’, Dewayne, son? Face healed? Doc said you’d carry some ugly scars for the rest of your life.” He snickered.
Dewayne cleared his throat. “Exactly. I look like a freak.” Yeah, it was another mark against his ex, and it was mighty unkind of Leo to rub his disfigurement in. Sorry shit!
“Well, I’ll have a job for you soon. Save some of that hostility for the mark I have for you.”
Dewayne shuddered. It was one thing to murder someone he despised, something altogether different to kill an unknown. But he owed Leo.
“Who is it?”
“Call me in two days. I’ll have the details.” The phone went dead.
****
Just after noon, Susan hung the last of her few clothes in the closet. The folded ones lay neatly in the small dresser situated under the front window. Though old, cabin number one was well-maintained. The rustic wood furniture bore a patina born of constant use. Susan loved the adobe fireplace with its rough-hewn mantel. She ran a finger over one of the colorful tiles inserted below the wood shelf. The porcelain squares also adorned the curved hearth. She wondered if the geometric pattern had some meaning.
A knock sounded on the door, and Carson stuck his head in as he pushed it open. She scurried to the door to hold it for him while he negotiated a small table inside. He set it in front of the other window flanking the door.
“Will this work?” He pulled a chair over from the small dinette and slid it under her makeshift desk.
She ran her hand over the scarred but sturdy structure. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
Hands stuffed in his back jeans pockets, he stood before her, eyes crinkled from his smile. Susan couldn’t avoid noticing how the denim fit his muscular thighs and...other attributes. She struggled not to blush, averted her eyes, and concentrated on the fascinating dimple in his cheek.
“Good. Anything else you need, let me know.” He glanced around the room. “This is the first time I’ve been in here in years, probably since I was a teenager.”
Susan wanted to ask how many years it’d been since he was a teenager—but didn’t. His age was none of her business.
“The place is very well maintained to be as old as it is.” She
“How about we trade for room and board? You must get tired of being cramped up in your camper van. You can stay in cabin number one.”
She’d love getting out of the van for awhile, being able to stretch her legs.
“Of course, you’ll have to share with the resident ghost.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Afraid not. Word is, guests leave in the middle of the night. Can’t get out of here fast enough.”
From her childhood experiences, she believed ghosts existed, but she hadn’t seen one in years. Her experience in Chaco Canyon had unnerved her somewhat. She wasn’t about to share that little tidbit, though. No, what she’d seen in her campfire was the result of stress and grief. Not a ghost.
“If you’re afraid, we can do the hookups.”
“The ghost and I will get along just fine.” It’d be nice having a real bathroom, a convenience she had missed the last couple of weeks on the road. She’d develop a great website for Carson and, when her three weeks were up, decide what she wanted to do—settle here or move on.
****
Dewayne cringed as Leo Sharp’s grating laugh echoed through his cell phone. “The lady rigged an extension cord to spark when the door opened.”
What lady? Who was fool enough to blow themselves up for a friend? Surely Susan hadn’t murdered the woman. Nah, she wasn’t capable of hurting an animal, much less a human being. She’d always been a sap. “Has the body been identified yet?”
The voice sobered. “Nope. Has the cops stumped. No one’s reported a woman missing. Her DNA isn’t in the system. It was a well-hatched plan, that’s for sure.”
Yeah, she’d outsmarted him for now, but that would change. He’d find the bitch.
“How you doin’, Dewayne, son? Face healed? Doc said you’d carry some ugly scars for the rest of your life.” He snickered.
Dewayne cleared his throat. “Exactly. I look like a freak.” Yeah, it was another mark against his ex, and it was mighty unkind of Leo to rub his disfigurement in. Sorry shit!
“Well, I’ll have a job for you soon. Save some of that hostility for the mark I have for you.”
Dewayne shuddered. It was one thing to murder someone he despised, something altogether different to kill an unknown. But he owed Leo.
“Who is it?”
“Call me in two days. I’ll have the details.” The phone went dead.
****
Just after noon, Susan hung the last of her few clothes in the closet. The folded ones lay neatly in the small dresser situated under the front window. Though old, cabin number one was well-maintained. The rustic wood furniture bore a patina born of constant use. Susan loved the adobe fireplace with its rough-hewn mantel. She ran a finger over one of the colorful tiles inserted below the wood shelf. The porcelain squares also adorned the curved hearth. She wondered if the geometric pattern had some meaning.
A knock sounded on the door, and Carson stuck his head in as he pushed it open. She scurried to the door to hold it for him while he negotiated a small table inside. He set it in front of the other window flanking the door.
“Will this work?” He pulled a chair over from the small dinette and slid it under her makeshift desk.
She ran her hand over the scarred but sturdy structure. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
Hands stuffed in his back jeans pockets, he stood before her, eyes crinkled from his smile. Susan couldn’t avoid noticing how the denim fit his muscular thighs and...other attributes. She struggled not to blush, averted her eyes, and concentrated on the fascinating dimple in his cheek.
“Good. Anything else you need, let me know.” He glanced around the room. “This is the first time I’ve been in here in years, probably since I was a teenager.”
Susan wanted to ask how many years it’d been since he was a teenager—but didn’t. His age was none of her business.
“The place is very well maintained to be as old as it is.” She
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