Read Online Ghost Walk by Cassandra Gannon - Free Book Online Page B

sitting on this sofa.”  He assured her.  “I’m just… hovering.  Like a
mist.  I can’t actually touch things or interact with anyone.”
    Although,
when Grace had walked though him at Robert’s house, Jamie had experienced something . 
Some electrical jolt that zinged through him like nothing else ever had.
    He’d felt her.
    Grace
arched a brow, like she was reading his mind.  “Then how do you explain what’s
happening between us?”
    “I
can’t explain it and donea even want to.”  Jamie wasn’t one to look a gift
horse in the mouth.  He had somebody, now.  Another person in this world was
talking to him.  Seeing him.  Calling them an “us.”  That was enough.  “For
whatever reason, you’re the one, Grace Rivera.”
    “The
one for what?  I’m never the one.  Why is this happening to me?”
    “I
donea know.  There must be something special about you.”
    “There’s
not.”
    “To
me, you are the most special person in this world.”  Jamie assured her.  “I
need you to help me clear my name.”
    This
uptight woman was his only hope.  For over two hundred years, he’d been branded
a murderer.  More than even dying, he hated that everyone, everywhere thought
he was a killer.  That, throughout history, he was disparaged and reviled. 
This was his one shot to prove his innocence.
    Grace
stared at him for a long moment.  “You’re out of your invisible mind.”
    Of
course she couldn’t make this easy.
    Frustrated,
Jamie got to his feet and restlessly moved to look at the books on her
cluttered shelves.  Not one romance or fairytale.  Just dry historical tomes,
guaranteed to bore the hell out of anyone with an ounce of passion in her soul. 
“Do you not own a paperback, love?”
    “I’m
a stable and practical person,” she shot back, “except when I’m being haunted
by condescending jerks.”  She shifted on the sofa, so she could glower at him. 
“Don’t try to change the subject.  How do you expect me to clear your name?”
    “Does
that mean you’re drunk enough to listen to all I have to say?”  Hopefully so,
because Jamie was eager to fix his unlife.  He had no doubt it would take some
convincing to get such a timid lass to lend a hand, so he’d like to get started.
    Luckily,
there was quite a bit to appreciate about Grace while he waited for her to
acquiesce.
    His
gaze flicked to the long length of her legs.  The fuzzy robe had slid up to her
knees when she turned, so the view was suddenly spectacular.  Of the many
things he admired about this century, women’s fashions were high on the list. 
Whoever it was who’d convinced them to do away with long skirts and petticoats
was a bloody genius.
    “Drunk
or not, I’m not sure I want to listen to you.”  Grace muttered, still not
noticing his distraction.  It was as if the woman didn’t even consider her own
appeal.  “If you’re not a brain tumor…”
    “I’m
not a brain tumor.”  He was bloody sick of repeating that fact.
    “…then
you’re James MacCleef Riordan.”
    Finally, she was getting it.  “Yes!”  He moved to stand in front of her.  “I’m Jamie
Riordan.”
    “Captain
of the Sea Serpent …”
    “Yes!”
    “…Patriot…”
    “Yes!”
    “…
and notorious serial killer.”  Grace watched him with a brooding expression.  “Did
you hurt those girls?”
    “ No. ” 
He crouched down, his eyes locked on hers.  “I’ve never hurt a woman, Grace.  I
give you my word of honor.”
    She
didn’t look convinced.  Hell, he didn’t blame her.  Even when he was alive his
word of honor hadn’t meant much.  The girl was right to be skeptical of a cad
like him.
    “Gregory
Maxwell, the hero of Yorktown, wrote a whole book about your crimes and his poor
murdered sister.”  She said with an obstinate expression on her face.  “ Horror
in Harrisonburg .  My aunt has an original copy.”
    “Gregory
Maxwell was the biggest moron alive, outside Parliament.  I doubt