Spirits, Beignets, and a Bayou Biker Gang
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“She said it’s on the View Tube,” Ida May said, hovering over me as I turned on my iPad. We were in the Grind, the café I owned, and the moment we’d closed half an hour ago, Ida May had started insisting we watch Miss Kitty’s TV interview. I’d finally given up and caved to her request.
“You mean YouTube?” I asked, already pulling the website up.
“YouTube? What? No. She said View Tube. A place to go watch her videos.”
“Never mind,” I said, already clicking on Miss Kitty’s channel. “I’ve got it.”
“Turn it up,” she ordered, her eyes bright with anticipation. “It’s my first interview.”
“What are you talking about? You haven’t been in human form since Emerson Charles zapped you back in the bayou.”
“I know that. But I was there and answered some of the questions anyway. I’m hoping they caught me on camera the way Miss Kitty did while I was riding Buffy.”
“This should be fun.” I went to work on pouring myself a cup of coffee. It had been a long day, and one more pick-me-up couldn’t hurt.
The video started, and it was a close-up of Miss Kitty. She was wearing peacock feathers in her hair, a purple dress with a generous view of her assets, and a gorgeous lapis necklace. She looked more New Orleans high society than she did tiny bayou town.
“She looks fabulous,” I said.
Ida May shrugged. “I suggested that outfit when she first brought up the idea of interviewing me.”
I glanced at her, amused. “Of course you did.”
The interview started with the questions about Miss Kitty’s social media presence and quickly moved on to the gator video. Miss Kitty was animated, describing everything that had happened that day, then went on to say she’d met the ghost in question. Ida May appeared on the screen right next to Miss Kitty, her hair flying out behind her, her makeup smudged, with dark circles under her eyes, and her clothing was ripped up and covered in dirt.
“What the hell!” Ida May cried. “I don’t look like that.”
No, she didn’t. Not ever. I peered at the screen and noted the disclaimer below the video.
Some images may have been altered for visual entertainment.
“Look.” I pointed it out. “They changed your appearance to make you look creepy.”
“This is unacceptable!” she wailed. “I take pride in my appearance. What if Sterling sees this?”
I bit my lip to keep from chuckling. “It’s unlikely anyone will show it to Sterling. Being a ghost and all,” I said, trying to be helpful.
“I’m seeing it!”
“Yeah, but—”
“Turn that trash off. I don’t want to watch this anymore. What is wrong with people? Seriously, I could just—” She floated out the front door, continuing to rant to herself.
Then a few seconds later, I heard the low rumbling of a motorcycle. The one that belonged to the ghost rider, Sterling Charles. He’d taken to showing up randomly to visit with Ida May now that he was out from under Emerson’s curse. Avrilla and Mia weren’t the only ones who’d been controlled by the drug lord. In fact, Sterling had admitted to us that Emerson had set him up after Mia had been abducted by Emerson himself.
Sterling had just started dating her and had wanted to leave the motorcycle club, to get on the straight and narrow, but Emerson wasn’t having any of it. So he’d abducted Mia to do his dirty work and pinned it on Sterling. It had worked for five years. Now Sterling was free. And he apparently was using his time to court Ida May. It was pretty sweet seeing them together actually. I liked seeing Ida May smile—something she was doing that very moment as she climbed on the back of his bike.
I put the iPad away and finished wiping down the counters. I was just about to turn the lights out and head upstairs to my apartment when I heard a key in the lock.
Jade. It was her day off. What was she doing here?
She walked in, a giant smile on her face.
“Hey you,” I said, already grinning from her infections mood. “You look amazing. Did you get a facial today?”
“No. I got something, but it definitely wasn’t a facial.” Her eyes sparkled and her skin positively glowed.
“Then I’m going with you got laid. Not that I wanted to be thinking about that because eww, gross. None of my business, but dang you look so relaxed and—”
“Kane and I are pregnant.”
Her words silenced me, and I stood there in complete shock for a second. Even though I knew they’d been trying, that was the last thing I’d expected her to say. After all the changes in my life over the past month or so, with a new dog and a brother I was responsible for, I’d completely forgotten they were trying for a child.
“Well?” she said, her smile faltering.
“Ohmigod! That’s amazing. Congratulations!” I finally cried and threw my arms around her, crushing her in a bear hug. “I’m going to be an auntie!”
She laughed and hugged me back. “I just told Kane last night. We’re keeping it quiet for now, but we couldn’t keep this a secret from you.”
I snorted. “Well, you probably could’ve considering I’m walking around with half a brain cell these days. Who knew teenagers and dogs could be so exhausting?”
She shook her head, a tiny smile on her lips. “You’re loving every minute of it.”
It was true; I was and wouldn’t change any of it. “You might be right.”
“I am. No doubt about it.”
I eyed her, my gaze traveling over the emerald-and-diamond wedding band, her belly that wasn’t even remotely showing yet, her radiant skin, and the secret smile tugging at her lips. I wanted that. All of it. And it suddenly hit me hard. An ache so intense it nearly brought tears to my eyes took up residence just over my heart. I averted my gaze and prayed she wasn’t tapped into my emotions. The last thing I wanted to do was make her moment about me.
But it was too late. She placed her hand over mine and whispered, “Your time is coming, my friend. Sooner than you think.”
“What?” I jerked my head back in her direction, staring her down. “Do you know something I don’t?”
She gave me a coy look, then shook her head. “No. Just a feeling.” Not waiting for me to answer, waved, and headed for the door.
“You’re leaving already?” I asked.
She glanced back at me. “Yep. You have plans.” Pointing up toward the ceiling, she added, “Julius is waiting.”
The door chimed as she slipped through, leaving me by myself and wondering why Jade thought had I plans with Julius when I didn’t remember making any. Was tonight the night? Had Julius clued her in on a marriage proposal? Were Julius and I ready for that? Happiness filled my soul, and I felt myself start to melt at the thought of spending the rest of my life with him.
But I quickly squashed the thought. It was too soon for promises of forever, wasn’t it? We hadn’t even been dating for more than three months. He must’ve been up to something else. A surprise dinner or a night on the town. Not champagne and diamonds.
Still, a thread of hope hung on. And a girl couldn’t be blamed for wanting someone like Julius.
After locking the door and turning the lights out, I steeled myself and headed for the stairs.
When I got to my door I paused, trying to calm my breathing. My pulse was doing double time, and the anticipation was almost too much to bear. Would tonight be the start of the rest of my life?
There was only one way to find out.
I took a deep breath and walked into my apartment.
My world narrowed to nothing but Julius as my heart all but stopped.
He was in the middle of my candlelit apartment, kneeling on one knee, a ring in one hand. Smiling up at me, he gestured for me to join him. Trembling, I closed the door and somehow made my way to him.
“It’s okay, Pyper,” he whispered up at me. “There’s no need to cry.”
I was crying? I hadn’t even noticed. I smiled down at him. “Must be hap
py tears.”
A huge grin spread across his face as he took my left hand and slowly slid the art-deco-style diamond ring on my finger. “Pyper Rayne, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
I stared at the glittering diamond, heard my earlier thoughts of it’s too soon, we should wait, no one gets married after three months. But when I opened my mouth, only one word came out.
“Yes.”
***
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Book List
Pyper Rayne Novels:
Spirits, Stilettos, and a Silver Bustier
Spirits, Rock Stars, and a Midnight Chocolate Bar
Spirits, Beignets, and a Bayou Biker Gang
Spirits, Diamonds, and a Drive-thru Daiquiri Stand
Ida May Chronicles
Witched to Death
Witch, Please
Jade Calhoun Novels:
Haunted on Bourbon Street
Witches of Bourbon Street
Demons of Bourbon Street
Angels of Bourbon Street
Shadows of Bourbon Street
Incubus of Bourbon Street
Bewitched on Bourbon Street
Crescent City Fae Novels:
Influential Magic
Irresistible Magic
Intoxicating Magic
Destiny Novels:
Defining Destiny
Accepting Fate
About Deanna
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Deanna Chase, is a native Californian, transplanted to the slower paced lifestyle of southeastern Louisiana. When she isn't writing, she is often goofing off with her husband in New Orleans, playing with her two shih tzu dogs, or making glass beads. For more information and updates on newest releases visit her website at deannachase.com.