His panicked gaze swung from Emily to Rachel, then back to Emily. “No…I swear. Why would I carry something like that with me?
“I don’t know, but my eyes aren’t lying.”
He stalked over to Emily and gripped her shoulders, shaking her roughly. “You have to listen to me, dammit. I proposed to you tonight. You really think I would do this?”
Caster stepped forward and shoved Ken from Emily. “Hey, ease off.”
Ken whirled on him. “You go to hell. Everything was fine until you showed up. Things were going just as—”
Caster’s mouth quirked in a humorless grin. “Just as planned?” He grabbed Ken’s upper arm. Ken tried to jerk away, but Caster held on. “I think it’s time you cleared out of here.”
Ken turned a pleading gaze to Emily. “Come on, Emily. Tell him to butt out.”
Emily let out a disbelieving laugh. “You’re kidding, right? I want you out of my sight, forever. If you show your face again, I’ll press charges against you for illegally accessing my bank records.”
Caster hauled Ken to his car, and Rachel placed a gentle hand on Emily’s arm. “And I thought Reese was the devil. Ken could give him a run for his money.” Her mouth tightened in a sympathetic grimace. “I’m sorry. Are you okay? Want me to stay?
Emily shook her head. “You go on. I’ll be fine. I didn’t know him all that well, you know.”
“Yeah, but it still sucks to be taken advantage of. And you, of all people, do not deserve that.” Rachel hugged her tightly, then headed to her car.
****
Caster knew he should leave now that he’d seen Ken off the property, but he couldn’t resist going back. Just to make sure Emily was okay.
She was sitting in the porch swing with her sweater wrapped tightly around her. Waiting, as if she knew he’d come back. She offered a small smile when he approached.
He settled on the swing next to her. “I’m sorry about all that. What an ass.”
She nodded. “Yeah, but it’s okay, really. It’s not like I was in love with him or anything. I just…” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I just hate that I suck so badly at relationships.”
He slipped an arm around her shoulder and tried to ignore how much he enjoyed touching her, even slightly. She smelled faintly sweet with a hint of spice—like there was a bad girl beneath all that innocence. “Ah, come on now. You and Joey had a successful marriage.”
“Yes, it was a good marriage, but…” She paused, then said softly, “But I often felt like I was the only one really in the marriage, you know? Joey was good to me, but he was sort of…absent. I didn’t feel like he really listened to me. And he knew how much I wanted children, yet we were married for three years, and he still wasn’t ready to start trying. I sometimes wonder if he ever would have been.” She laughed self-consciously. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I told you that.”
He smiled and brushed his knuckles along her cheek. “Because we’re friends, remember?”
“Yes, we are. Thank you for everything.” She looked up at him, her dark blue eyes shimmering in the glow from the porch light, and he had to use all of his fortitude not to kiss her full, tempting lips. There was something in her gaze, in the expression on her face that told him maybe…maybe she wanted him to?
She looked away, and the moment passed. “I’m just tired of making bad choices. But if I don’t put myself out there, I’ll never have the family I want. I’m almost thirty, I want children.”
“You’ll find the right man, make the right choice.”
She gave him a wistful smile. “Promise?”
He smiled back. “Promise.” He placed a brotherly kiss on her forehead and stood. “I’m going to head out. Do you have anyone to play Freddy?”
“Dang! I hadn’t even thought that far.”
“I’ll get one of my buddies to do it. No sweat. I mean, if Ken doll can play the part, pretty much anyone can, right?”
She laughed, a free, delighted sound that reached deep down inside his gut.
Damn. This whole charade couldn’t be over quickly enough. Suddenly, babies and picket fences didn’t sound all that terrifying. At least not with her. He inwardly groaned. Shit. He needed to put as much space as possible between him and Emily Tillman. And he needed to do it soon.
****
Instead of heeding his own, very wise advice, Caster found himself at the grocery store the next morning, shopping for ingredients to make breakfast for Emily. He had the pancake mix, peach preserves, and cinnamon and sugar. He was reaching for canned icing, when a chill made him shiver. Ah, hell…
Joey stood behind him, wearing a scowl. Caster quickly glanced around, but he was the only shopper on the aisle.
“What are you doing here?” Caster kept his voice low.
“What are you doing is the question. That’s not for Emily, is it?”
“Actually, it is.”
His dead friend shook his head. “What’s with the lame pancakes?”
Caster tossed a can of cream cheese icing in the basket. “I’m making her favorite breakfast. Peach pancakes.”
“I don’t remember her saying anything about liking peach pancakes.” Joey scoffed. “And if she likes them so much, she can just make them herself, right?”
“I don’t know man, it’s just a gesture, okay?”
Joey shrugged. “Suit yourself. Although, I’m not sure how necessary this is. The asshole’s gone. Pretty clever move, huh? Planting those papers on him.”
“Yeah, clever.” Caster thought Joey must have had something to do with it. Surely, the goober wouldn’t be dumb enough to carry around evidence of his duplicity. “I figured another day or two of charming her won’t hurt. Just to make sure.” Right, because that’s the only reason he was doing this…
“Sure. A little insurance is always good.”
****
Emily woke feeling lighter than she had in days. In spite of being duped, she was immeasurably relieved that Ken was out of her life. And that Caster was back in it. Maybe she was wrong to hold him at arm’s length. Maybe he had changed—or at the very least, maybe they could have some good times together while she was looking for Mr. Right…
No, if she got involved with Caster, there would be no room in her heart for another man. He literally consumed her every thought and emotion. Danger…that’s what Reese Caster was. Pure danger.
She was sipping her first cup of coffee when a knock sounded at her front door. Frowning, she went into the living room. Her heart squeezed when she saw Caster through the peephole. She should be annoyed at his unannounced visits, but she was just too damn happy to work up any other emotion.
Smiling, she opened the door. He held a paper grocery sack in his arms. “Good morning.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Hungry?”
She stepped back and allowed him inside. “What have you got? Breakfast?”
“Ah, not just any breakfast.” He went into her kitchen, and she followed. “I seem to remember someone saying their favorite breakfast as a child was peach pancakes.” He unpacked the groceries as he spoke. “With cinnamon and icing instead of maple syrup?”
Her heart dropped into her stomach. For a moment, she couldn’t speak. “How did you…did I tell you about that?” She hadn’t told anyone, other than Rachel. Not even Joey.
“You told me that you loved them, and you hadn’t had them since you were a little girl.” He shot her a dazzling smile. “The look on your face made me realize they were pretty special to you. I thought maybe something comforting and familiar was just what you needed.”
Tears welled, and she brushed them away. “Thank you.”
Caster frowned. “Hey, hey, what is it? I thought you’d be happy.”
She nodded. “I am. I just…I didn’t tell you why I loved peach pancakes so much?”
He shook his head and took her hands in his, leading her to the breakfast nook. “Here, sit. Tell me.”
Could she really bare her soul to Caster l
ike that? She shook her head. “No, it’s not anything you’d be interested in. Just know, it means a lot to me that you remembered.”
“You’re not getting out of it that easily. I’m not cooking until you tell me.” He grinned at her raised brows. “That’s right, I’m heartless enough to let you starve to death.”
She smiled through her tears. Maybe she could open up to him. He really seemed interested, seemed to care. She drew in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “I think you know I was raised in foster homes?” At his nod, she continued. “I was treated well for the most part, but never really felt like I belonged. Like I really had a home, you know?” She sniffed back tears. “But one of my foster moms, Della, was different. She was good to me. She loved me. Really loved me. She was an excellent cook, and my favorite thing she made was peach pancakes. We’d sit together in the kitchen in the early morning hours before anyone else was awake, and we’d talk about…everything. She was the first person in my life who made me feel important. Who really seemed to care about me.” She paused. Bittersweet memories assailed her. Della’s comforting hugs. Her special smile. Listening to Elvis Presley music with her and watching her sweet face as she seemed transported to another time. Then, the night her husband came home from the hospital, looking ten years older…
Caster took her hand and closed it between both of his strong, warm ones. “You don’t have to tell me the rest if you don’t want to.”
“No, I do.” She drew in a deep breath. “Della decided to adopt me. I was so excited. We were both so excited. I’d finally found a home. A family that wanted me.” She bit back a sob. “There was a car accident. Della didn’t survive. I never even had a chance to tell her goodbye. Her husband fell apart, and I was sent back to the orphanage.” She released a long, shuddering breath. “So, you see. They’re more than just peach pancakes. And…I’m touched that you remembered.”
Caster stood and tugged on her hand. “Come here.” She went into his arms. He wrapped her in a tight hug, and she clung to him. She couldn’t fight it any longer, she was in love with this man. Maybe she always had been.
She pulled back and looked into his face. “Caster, I…” Could she say the words, knowing they’d only bring heartbreak?
He slipped his hand in her hair and cupped the back of her head. “Yes?” he whispered.
She couldn’t do it, couldn’t open herself up to that kind of heartbreak. “Thank you.”
He stared at her for a few, silent heartbeats, then dipped his head and slanted his mouth over hers. Her lips softened beneath his, opened to him, allowed him access. Currents of desire, stronger than any electrical charge, rocketed through her. If anything, his kisses were even more explosive than they had been. Or, maybe it was her feelings for him that had exploded. She only knew, she had to get closer…she wanted more. She moved her tongue against his, tasting, reveling in the feel of him, and pressed her body tightly to his.
Lost…I’m completely lost…
Chapter Seven
Caster drove away from Emily’s house, feeling like the tires weren’t touching the pavement. His heart was light, and he’d never been happier. They hadn’t gone any further than the soul-rocking kiss—leaving him a confusing mix of elated and frustrated. But it didn’t matter, because he was alive. And he’d just kissed Emily for the second time in less than a week.
Was this what love felt like? Maybe, maybe not, but the fact that he could see himself spending the rest of his life with her—and only her—had to mean something. Funny how it didn’t scare him like he thought it would. No…it actually sounded like paradise.
“Okay, I’ll admit, the pancakes were a nice touch.”
“Shit!” Caster swerved and nearly ran off the road when Joey materialized in the passenger seat. “Dude! While I’m driving? What the hell’s wrong with you?” The last thing he wanted to deal with right now was Joey, but obviously, he didn’t have a choice.
“Sorry, man. I just couldn’t wait to talk to you. You did it, you really did it. Operation ‘run off the dickwad’ is a success.”
Caster scowled, his euphoria shattered. “How did you know the pancakes were a hit? You weren’t supposed to come around when we’re together.”
“I didn’t. She called Rachel after you left, gushing about what a sweet thing you did, about what a great morning you two had.”
Caster couldn’t prevent a smile from emerging. She called her girlfriend to talk about him. That had to be a good sign.
“Okay, now it’s time to break things off. Let her down easy, maybe do the whole, heartbroken, ‘I’m not good enough for you’ thing. Tell her she deserves a man who can give her the commitment she wants.”
Caster tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and chose his words carefully. “I think I need a little more time, just to be sure the guy is gone. Besides, I promised her I’d find someone to play Freddy Krueger. She’d have to find two replacements the last week of the haunted forest. That wouldn’t be fair.”
Joey snorted a laugh. “Since when do you care what you promise women?”
Since I fell in love… Caster shrugged. “I just can’t let her down like that. She’s been through enough.”
Joey remained silent, and Caster shot him a glance. He was studying Caster with narrowed eyes. Joey shook his head. “Oh no, oh no you don’t.”
Caster raised his brows and turned his gaze back to the road. “What?”
“You’re falling for her.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“No, no, you are. I’ve never seen that goofy-ass smile on your face before when you talked about a woman. Well, except when you were dating Emily years ago. You insisted you didn’t care about her, but there was this look in your eyes…And you’ve got that same look now.”
Caster needed to examine his feelings for Emily more closely before he confessed them to anyone—especially her dead husband’s ghost. “You’re nuts.”
“Okay, prove it. Stand her up.”
“I can’t do that.”
“You know it’s going to end, anyway. Might as well walk away now.”
Maybe Joey was right. Not only was he hurting her again, this time, his own heart was in jeopardy. Perhaps a clean break would be best. “Fine. I’ll stand her up.”
Joey nodded in satisfaction. “Great, then it’s settled.”
****
Emily looked at her watch. The haunted forest was supposed to start in five minutes. Not only had Caster not brought a replacement Freddy Krueger, he wasn’t even here himself. And he wasn’t answering his cell. Damn him. She should have known she couldn’t trust him. Peach pancakes or not, he was a jerk who didn’t care about anyone but himself. Maybe now she’d finally learned her lesson.
“Emily?”
She whirled at the sound of his voice. Happiness swelled in her heart and, if she hadn’t been holding the Freddy Krueger costume against her to block it, it might have burst from her chest. He hadn’t let her down after all. Well, not completely. “Caster, you’re late.”
He smiled, a sheepish little boy grin that turned her into a puddle of goo. “Sorry, but I had to pick up John.” He looked behind him where a man was approaching. “He’ll be your Freddy Krueger.”
John was stocky, medium height, with a goatee and an open, pleasant smile. He was shorter and heftier than Ken, but the costume should still fit.
“Wonderful!” Her relief was more that Caster hadn’t disappointed her than that he’d found a replacement for Freddy. But, she’d take both. “Let’s get you in the costume, quickly, so we can start. The natives are getting restless.”
“I’ll take him to the dressing rooms,” Caster offered. “I need to change, too.”
She smiled and handed John the costume, then looked at Caster. “Thank you. For everything.”
“You bet.” He winked, then led his friend away.
Emily shook her head and closed her eyes. God, he was close to perfect. Why couldn’t he fall in love with her, want t
he same thing she did? Was she destined to love a man who wouldn’t give her what she needed? Or, maybe she didn’t really need marriage and children. Maybe being with Caster was enough. Yeah, right. For how long before he got bored and moved on to the next woman?
She was heading toward the entrance to the haunted forest when a freezing gust of wind—even colder than the forty-eight degree temperature—raced over her. Goosebumps broke out on her skin, and she whipped around to look behind her.
A man stood a few feet away. She squinted in the semi darkness. Oh my God, not just any man…
Her knees buckled, and a yelp of fear left her throat. It was…impossible, but…it was him. She lifted a trembling hand to her mouth. Barely able to make a sound, she managed to whisper, “Joey?”
“Emily, I’m sorry.”
She gasped out a strangled cry. “You—you can’t be real.”
Strands of his dark hair lifted in the breeze. His chocolate brown eyes gazed at her with that same look of adoration that had made her fall for him. “I know. It’s a shock.”
She shook her head and backed away. “No, you can’t be real. I’m imagining things. You’re—”
“I’m real. Yes, I’m dead, but it’s really me. My spirit, at least.”
“No, no, no. Those things can’t happen. Ghosts aren’t real.” Hysteria bubbled up in her throat, threatening to choke her. What was happening? Was she going insane?
“Listen, I’m sorry. I know this is a shock, but we don’t have much time. There’s something I need you to know. I need to warn you.”
In spite of the impossibility of the situation, she found herself asking, “About what?”
“Caster. He’s using you, just like Ken did.”
She frowned. “You know about that?”
“Yes, I know all about what’s been going on.”
This was real. Her husband’s ghost was here. Oh my God…“Joey, I can’t believe it’s really you. I’ve missed you so much.” She stepped forward. “Can I…touch you?”
Moisture filled his eyes, and he shook his head. “No, I can’t feel another human. I can feel solid objects, but not people.” His charming smile appeared briefly, then faded. “I’d love to stay forever and talk to you, but you need to hear me out. This is important.”
Hauntings in the Garden, Volume One Page 9