word. She liked it.
“I still haven’t heard from my sister,” said Hannah.
He put his hand on hers. “I know you guys are close, but a lot has happened in the past few days,” said John. “Are you calling her or just texting her?”
“Both,” she said.
“I’ll get the number of the place they’re staying at in Reno. Trenton ought to have it. You can call them there,” he said.
He kissed her on the head.
“By baby,” he said. “I have to go.”
John crossed the room back to her and kissed her one more time before he left. He let a blast of cold North Dakota air in as he left. It wasn’t but ten minutes after they said goodbye that he was calling her.
“Hi, babe,” he said.
“Hi,” she said.
“I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
She really just met him, but she knew him already. He was up to mischief.
Instinctively, she looked out her front window. He was standing in the parking lot in front of another very cool car, smaller than his other. It was beautiful. It was teal with a black hard top. Smiling, he waved at her. There was another Ghost of the Prairie with him. He was running around checking the car out like he was a member of a pit crew. They gave each other high fives. The Ghost gave Hannah two thumbs up as he danced with a big smile.
John smiled. “Like it?” he asked.
“What’s going on, sweetheart?” asked Hannah.
“Um, your new wheels,” he said. “I’ll paint it your favorite color if you like.”
“The car’s mine?” she said.
“Yep! It’s all yours, baby.”
Hannah’s head spun. She didn’t know how to accept the gift. She didn’t want to be dumb either. Did he mean just for the day? She was stunned by the generosity. These things just didn’t happen to her. Not ever.
Her jaw dropped.
“Hello?” he said.
Hannah stood in the window unable to speak or move. He laughed and like the wonderful, valiant knight that he was dashed up the stairs and into the apartment.
He dangled the keys in front of her. “Ready to go for a ride?”
“In my new car?”
“Hell, yeah!”
She changed quickly and slipped into jeans. He braced her as they climbed down the stairs to the parking lot where the car was. It was gorgeous. Everything was in mint condition.
“I can’t drive this,” she protested.
“What’s the matter?” asked the other Ghost whose name Hannah didn’t know. “Can’t drive stick?”
“It’s too much,” said Hannah, tears welling up in her eyes.
“I want you to have it. I bought it off Trenton,” said John. “You’ve been through so much. And I think you need a way to get around town.”
“Thank you!”
She jumped into his arms as he spun her around. John McCarthy made her melt. His sexual innuendo made her buckle. The other Ghost shook his head and laughed.
“You dog,” he said with a smile.
“Okay, this dog has to go to work,” said John.
He gave her another quick kiss and handed her the keys.
Hannah went back into the apartment and did her hair and makeup. She put on a gray-blue silk dress she picked up from the Goodwill and a pair of brown pumps with stockings. She now had time to talk to Sheriff Billy about becoming a deputy. She packed up a clean uniform and shoes in a tote bag and went out in her new, borrowed, car to drive.
It was a beautiful feeling pulling out of the parking lot in the sparkling car. She went to the sheriff’s office first. Billy made time for her. He gave her an application.
“Even if you don’t become a deputy, there are a lot of things you can do. Work as a dispatcher. We’ll make it work,” he said.
She threw her arms around the giant man as soon as she walked into his office. “Thank you for selling John the car. He told me you gave him a good price.”
“It’s probably not cool if a controversial lawyer like myself is seen in the arms of a beautiful woman. Plus, John McCarthy will be down here kicking my ass,” he said. “And you’re so
Andrea Kane
John Peel
Bobby Teale
Graham Hurley
Jeff Stone
Muriel Rukeyser
Laura Farrell
Julia Gardener
Boris Pasternak
N.R. Walker