Read Online beyond the grave 03 - a ghostly demise by tonya kappes - Free Book Online

choking episode and my involvement. Without her even telling me, I plunged my hands into the soapy, steaming-hot water and began to scrub the glasses that were submerged. “I’m not sure but I think little Digger Spears just hit on me.”
    “Back up.” Granny stopped. She put her hand on the counter and leaned in. Flour flew up in puffs of smoke. “Terk Rhinehammer?”
    “Yeah. Remember I went over to his neighborhood to do some campaigning for you.” I knew she wasn’t going to buy it though it was worth the shot. “And he happened to be choking. He asked me to take him to Doc Clyde. I think he has that smoker’s cough. I told him too.”
    I went through the full routine of dishwashing. Submerge, scrub, submerge again, and run under the water faucet before putting it in the drying rack.
    “Well, who is he voting for?” Granny asked.
    “I wish I had a clear answer, but he wasn’t sure.” I wasn’t going to tell Granny Terk had mentioned that he was probably going to vote for O’Dell, in fear she would march over to Doc Clyde’s and finish off what Cephus had started.
    I ran a soapy glass under the water faucet and put it in the drying rack.
    “But since I saved his life and drove him to Doc Clyde, I think that means he owes us.” I grinned. “One vote for Zula Fae Raines Payne coming up.”
    “Good girl.” Granny kneaded the dough, using her knuckles before flipping it and kneading the other side.
    One of Granny’s young busboys from the community came in and told her a customer was asking for her.
    “I can’t go out there. I’ve got to get these pies done.” She glanced at me. “Emma Lee, dear, go see who’s out there.”
    “Fine.” I sighed and dried my hands and followed the kid out to the dining room.
    Every table in the place was filled. The entire back wall of the room was ceiling-to-floor glass windows and had an amazing view of the mountainous backdrop and the caves. It was truly spectacular.
    “Over there,” the boy said.
    I followed down his arm and across his pointed finger to a table in the far corner. Leotta Hardy and a man. Someone I didn’t recognize. It wasn’t Terk Rhinehammer. I thanked the boy and made my way over to Leotta’s table.
    “Hi, Leotta.” I put my hand on the back of her chair and faced the bald man. “Twice in one day. It’s so good you are getting out and about.”
    “I had to pull her teeth to get her here.” The voice was familiar but the face wasn’t.
    “I’m Emma Lee Raines.” I put my hand out. “My Granny owns the Inn.”
    He jumped up and grabbed me, twirling me around like we were long-lost buddies.
    “Hell, Emma Lee. I know it’s been awhile, but damn. It’s me, Teddy.” He sat me down and backed up to look at me.
    Teddy had turned out to be a big boy. He stood about six-foot-four and weighed a good 250. His neck was as big around as an eighteen-wheeler tire.
    “It’s my boy!” Cephus appeared in the seat next to Leotta. His arm curled around the back of her chair like they were on a date.
    “Gosh, Teddy.” My eyes grew. “I didn’t recognize you. You have . . .”
    “Gotten big!” Cephus’s voice escalated. “I never thought that boy was ever gonna grow.”
    Teddy did a muscle pose with his arms before he did the whole bouncing pectoral move with his boobs. “I’m a wrestling champ. International.”
    It was hard for me not to stare at each boob taking its turn bouncing up and down.
    “Oh.” My brows lifted along with my mouth. “Impressive. I’m just the undertaker now. How long are you in town for?”
    “I’m here for the carnival.” He put his hand on Leotta. “Plus I haven’t been able to get home to visit with Momma. And I guess I need to see that sister of mine.” He ran his hand over his bald head. “Not for a haircut either.”
    Leotta’s thin lips got thinner as they stretched upward.
    “I bet you wished your daddy was here to see you.” The words jumped out of my mouth before I could take them