Read Online Resurrecting Harry by Constance Phillips - Free Book Online Page B

sparkled, and he tried to ignore Harry’s voice asking how long had passed since the kitchen had been treated to such a scrubbing. He and Bess might have not eaten here so often if they’d known cleanliness wasn’t one of Will’s strong suits.
    Erich washed the chemicals from his now cracked flesh and wandered out to the dining room,longing to find Bess in her favorite booth.
    Now early afternoon, the late lunch stragglers were filing out of the deli, and the tables were covered with dirty dishes.
    “Erich,” Will said over the clatter, “Start a fresh pot of coffee and then grab a dishpan and start clearing tables.”
    He wiped his hands on the end of the apron and picked up the pot, still distracted by the lack of Bess’s presence. As soon as his shift ended, he needed an excuse to call on her. Yes, he’d made progress, but they were only small steps. Keeping the momentum going was essential to winning his bet with Jaden, and therefore, to regaining his life.
    The bell rung above the door, and his head spun to it, hoping. Her laughter as she greeted Will filled the room, and in response Erich smiled his first real smile of the day.
    “Have a seat, Bess,” Will called out. “I’ll bring you over a pastry straight away. Erich, take Mrs. Houdini fresh coffee as soon as it’s finished brewing.”
    “Sure thing,” Erich answered. Will’s request was a huge step forward. He trusted Erich to associate with Bess: another pleasant after-effect of yesterday’s good deed. He never would have willed such an incident or hoped for a child to be in danger, but his ability to avert a tragedy had elevated him from scrutinized stranger to new friend.
    So, don’t mess it up, blockhead. If he did, getting the trust back would be ten times more difficult than gaining it.
    “Oh no. Nothing to eat today, but I will take the coffee, Erich. Actually, make it three. Martin and Gail Cooper should be here any moment.”
    Hovering over the coffee pot, Erich kept his back to Bess so that she couldn’t see the scowl that veiled his face. Erich wondered how those wicked con-artists wormed their way into her good graces.
    Harry had a theory. Gail took advantage of grieving hearts, used them to bolster some sort of fame for herself. Sure, he’d trusted her to try and contact his deceased mother, and her true colors had shown as bright as those neon lights he’d first seen in Paris. Through that incident, Harry also gleaned Martin wasn’t the friend he once believed.
    How could Bess have forgotten that? Please, don’t trust them, Angel.            
    Despite his internal plea, Bess greeted Gail and Martin with the type of warm hugs that should be reserved for old friends.
    Erich’s heart pounded faster; his temple throbbed. Once, Harry had trusted Martin without question or boundaries, as a kindred spirit, but that changed because of Gail. Harry now wanted as much distance between Bess and Martin as possible. Harry’s rage boiled inside Erich as if it had all happened yesterday.
    Grabbing the coffee pot from the warmer, he rounded the counter and approached. He didn’t speak as he filled their cups, only listened. He needed to know what the Coopers wanted from Bess so he could develop a plan to make sure they never got it.
    “This will be a small gathering like my beloved husband prescribed,” Bess said softly. “Harry will make his way back to me and this world, if that is possible, delivering the same message I’ve tucked away in our vault at home.”
    Martin shifted his weight in the seat, and his eyes darted toward his wife. Silence loomed between them. Gail studied Martin’s face as if she knew what he was thinking.
    Erich was sure. The two of them were up to no good. His eyes darted back to Bess. Surely, she saw the tell-tale signs of mischief those two displayed.
    Gail gave her attention back to Bess. “I really wish you’d told me about this coded message. All these months, I’ve been training you without