Keeper of Spirits

  She found Dan in the kitchen. He stood with his back to her, dressed in the same rumpled jeans and tee shirt that he’d had on the night before. He had taken his boots off and was barefoot though. Reese took a moment to admire him from behind and then greeted him. “Hey. Did you get any sleep?”

  Dan turned to face her. Locks of his dark red hair were falling into his eyes and from the looks of him, if he did get any rest, it wasn’t much at all.

  “A little. I had a hard time falling asleep.”

  She joined him at the counter. “Ohhh, what’s that?” She pointed at the white bakery box beside a couple of to-go cups.

  He smiled. “Liv dropped off bagels and coffee for breakfast.” He offered her one of the cups. “Apparently this is something you’ve ordered before, Liv described this as ‘that shit she likes.’”

  Reese lifted it and carefully sipped. “Yum.”

  Dan arched an eyebrow. “Well, are you going to tell me what’s in that or am I going to be left hanging all day?”

  “I’m not telling.” Reese smiled at him sweetly. “It’s a secret Liv and I share and it’s my special drink.”

  She wasn’t going to tell him that it was only a coffee mixed with liqueur. Liv had probably only said that to Dan so he wouldn’t drink her coffee, too. Liv absolutely was not allowed to sell this, so it was not something she purchased in the shop … ever. But Liv had gifted it to her more than once.

  “That’s mean,” he told her with a mock frown.

  “Sorry.”

  “You are so not sorry.”

  “No, I’m not,” she admitted playfully. “Let’s dress up those bagels. I’m hungry.” She was more than hungry, she was starving. The events of the night before must have eaten up all of her energy or something.

  They prepared their bagels and took them to the dining table. “Okay,” Reese began after they were comfortable. “I have decided to believe you.”

  Dan had just taken a large bite of bagel and made a choking sound as he tried to swallow it. He grabbed his coffee to wash it down and then met her gaze. “You have?”

  With a nod, Reese sipped her blessedly spiked coffee. “Yes, I have. I’m giving you all the benefit of the doubt. I don’t think you guys are lying about this, but listen … it’s hard for me to believe what I can’t see.”

  She waited for his response. “Of course, I understand that,” he told her.

  “It just might be hard for me to be totally on board with all this at first. But I know you guys care. I don’t necessarily like some of what you do in certain situations, but I’m going to try to be okay with this. I’m tired of fighting with you … with all of you.”

  Dan tore his eyes away from hers and stared down at his coffee. “I’m tired of fighting, too. I have been. I hated lying to you.”

  “I know you did,” she told him. “Let’s just do a reset and start over, okay?”

  He nodded. “Agreed.”

  They finished their bagels in comfortable silence. When they were finished, Reese took their plates to the sink and then headed for the bathroom. “I’m going to take a shower and then you can have it. You need to get cleaned up before we go to work.”

  “We?” Dan asked, very obviously shocked.

  “Well yeah,” she told him. “You would be going ‘to work’ with me anyway, but I’m putting you to actual work today. It’s lame for you to be sitting around looking like a bouncer or something. You can do something useful while you’re pulling guard duty.”

  “Reese …”

  “Don’t.” She put her hand up in a gesture for him to stop. “You’re doing this.”

  The expression on his face was full of doubt, but she wouldn’t put him behind the bar unless she was sure he could do it. She was the only one allowed behind the bar and, so far, he would be the first one she would permit to help serve her customers. “I’ll be quick,” she told him and then hurried off to get ready.

  True to her word, it didn’t take her that long to shower and change. Dan took over the bathroom while she dressed in her bedroom. When they were both finished, they headed down to the bar, locking the apartment behind them.

  “Okay.” Reese used her keys to unlock the heavy bolts on the door. “You are going to be helping behind the bar today.” She pushed the door open and the two of them entered the empty bar. She loved it, the silence before the storm.

  “No shit?” Dan turned to her, probably to get a look at her face to see if she was messing with him.

  She nodded. “No shit. I have rules, though.”

  “Can I hold the bat?”

  “That is a no.”

  “Well it was worth a shot.” He shrugged. “Okay, let me hear the rules.”

  She led him through the little swinging gate and into her sacred, off limits area behind the bar. “Well, there is mainly one rule.”

  “I think I know what it is.”

  She turned to him and stared him straight in the eye to make sure he understood. “There will be absolutely no drinking while you are working.”

  “I knew it.”

  “Do you got it?”

  He tilted his head just a tad and smiled. “Of course I got it, your bar, your rule.”

  “Good. You can have all the soda you want from the fountain, though.”

  “I just have one question. Don’t you have to go to school for this, or like, know how to make drinks, at least?”

  Reese checked the clock and then opened the ice bin, taking a look inside. “No, most people order beer or shots, you’ll be fine.”

  “Okay.” He moved out from behind the bar and started on moving the chairs down. “I lied. I have another question.”

  “What?”

  “Do I get to keep my tips?”

  Reese let out a laugh and rolled her eyes. “Of course you do. Though, I’m sure it won’t be anything what you’re used to getting at your other job.”

  Dan tossed his head back and let out the most genuine laugh she had ever heard from him.

  It was nice.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  DAN

  After the first few hours and a couple of mishaps, he had become a pro at pouring beer from the tap and filling shot glasses. He didn’t mind working behind the bar at all, though he silently prayed the entire time that no one would order some crazy drink.

  He didn’t even have the urge for a drink the entire time. That was saying something, because usually being in a crowd of people unnerved him and being nervous made him want to drink.

  He served the customers, pocketed the tips, which he had no intention of keeping and would give to Reese later, and had a good time doing it. No one was more surprised about that than he was, that was for sure.

  After all, he was an alcoholic and being around all the booze was bound to make him want some. But he did fine and actually enjoyed visiting with the citizens of Summer Hollow. They talked to him, too. He was surprised that people just opened up like they did. He found out that Don Reynolds was having a baby and he was scared shitless, so his wife, Jenny, thought he didn’t want a baby and tossed him out on his ass. Sarah Lewis had lost her job, Ken Walters got a job, and Bob Anderson, who was the high school track coach, came in and cursed his whole team of foul mouthed teens who had no respect for authority.

  Working in a bar was quite enlightening.

  “Time to close up.” Reese joined him at the tap and smiled. “You want to kick everyone out or should I.”

  He grinned back at her. “I would rather watch you do it.”

  “Okay then.” She began the rounds and he watched while she went from table to table, cutting people off by telling them to drink the rest of what they had or abandon it. Most of them downed what they had and brought their glasses to the bar where Dan added them to the dishwasher.

  There were a few people who were far too screwed up to drive. In this case, she made them turn over their keys and hooked them up with someone who was capable of driving, and would give them a ride home.

/>   Only one person tried to argue with her and refused to give up their keys. Dan watched, preparing himself to help if needed.

  “John, give me the damn keys.”

  “Fuck off, Reese,” John slurred. “Who made you the po-lice? I drive myself home.”

  “No,” Reese lunged for his pockets and he pushed her backward. “Stop trying to grab at me, woman. I’m married.”

  “I’m not hitting on you, dumbass. Dan!” she called out. “Call John’s wife and tell her to come and get him and explain what is going on here.”

  “No, don’t call Linda,” John slurred. The man was tall and very heavy set. He swayed on his feet and frowned at Reese. “Linda will kick my ass if she has to get up and come here.”

  “Then give me the keys.”

  Dan knew that he was supposed to call Linda anyway, so he found the little address book Reese kept by the phone and looked up the number. Linda answered in a sleepy voice and then ended the call by cursing and hanging up on him.

  “I think she’s coming,” he told Reese and glanced over at them. Reese and John were circling each other like animals ready to fight.

  “Come on, John. Gimme those keys.”

  “Never,” John growled.

  Dan still didn’t move in to help. He figured Reese was more or less keeping him busy until Linda arrived. The whole scenario was pretty comical, actually. So, he wiped the bar down and kept an eye on Reese while he cleaned up. He even had time to put the some of the chairs up while Reese lunged from side to side, faking him out and making him dizzy.

  It wasn’t very long, though. Just a few minutes and then finally, Dan strode by John while Reese had his attention diverted and snagged the key tag that was hanging out of his left pocket, effectively lifting the whole key ring from John’s saggy britches. “Here you go.” He tossed the keys to over to Reese, who caught them in the air with her right hand.

  “Victory!” she shouted just as Linda burst in the front entrance. “Oh, hi Linda,” she panted.

  Linda was a plump woman with blonde hair that she had twisted up into a pile on top of her head. She wore a pair of furry pajama pants with cats on them and a big sweatshirt that she had zipped up, probably to cover up the fact that she wasn’t wearing a bra.

  “John! I swear to god this is the last time I’m dragging myself out of bed in the middle of the night to come and get your ass. I have work in the morning!”

  Reese jogged over and held out the keys. “Here you go. Sorry you had to come out. I would have taken him, but I don’t think he’d get in my car.”

  Linda glared at her husband as he lumbered across the bar toward them. “Yeah, he’s an ornery old brute.”

  “Well,” Reese laughed, “at least he keeps me in shape, chasing him around and all.”

  Linda shook her head. “If he thinks a hangover is the worst thing he has to face in the morning, then he has another think coming.”

  Reese laughed again and patted Linda on the shoulder. “You guys drive home safe.”

  “Will do,” the other woman responded and then led John out of the bar as he slurred apologies profusely.

  Dan shook his head when Reese closed the door behind them and then leaned against it, letting out a long sigh. “Boy, I thought I was your most troublesome customer.”

  She rolled her eyes and pushed off the door, then turned to throw the bolt. “Not even close. All I have to do is wave my bat at you and you fall in line.”

  Dan pressed his hand to his heart and feigned mock offense. “I am not that easy.”

  She chuckled lightly as she rounded the bar. “You did good tonight, Estmond.”

  He did, didn’t he? It felt awesome to be useful and a total bonus to get to hang out with Reese all night. Now that they didn’t have the awkward secret sitting between them, they were able to interact with more ease than they had the last several days.

  “Thank you. I enjoyed it too. I didn’t think I would.” He joined her behind the bar and leaned against it.

  Reese bent down and opened one of the sliding coolers. “Here. This is for you.” She lifted a six pack and set it on the shiny wood of the bar.

  Dan examined the beer and then sighed. “Non-alcoholic.”

  “Yup.”

  “I usually don’t drink beer. I’m more of a hard liquor kind of guy.”

  She smiled and pushed the cans toward him a smidge. “Now you are a non-alcoholic beer kind of guy.”

  “Seriously. You’re killing me, Knight.”

  “Just try it. I’ve met several people who have told me it just takes a little getting used to.”

  With another sigh, he plucked one of the cans off of the plastic ring and popped it open. Reese waited for him and then followed suit by getting her own. “You have to start trying harder, Dan, to be the man I know you can be and this …” she patted the top of the cans, “is a good way to start. I can even set up meetings for you to go to if you want.”

  Dan chuckled and then sipped the beverage. “Ugh, gross … this tastes like ass.” He grimaced. “Anyway.” He continued when he had recovered. “I’m not sure about the meetings. That is just too much for me.”

  “Well let me know if you change your mind. I can help,” Reese assured him.

  Dan froze for a few seconds. The thought of quitting, of going to meetings and actually moving forward with something he has known he had to do for quite a while, was daunting. He wasn’t sure he could do it. He drank to numb the pain, not because he particularly liked it.

  “I’ll let you know. Let’s just start with this.”

  Reese nodded, took a swig of her own beer and made a face. “Yuck! You’re right, this does taste like ass.”

  “Told you.” He set the can aside. “I’d almost rather have nothing than drink that.”

  “I agree. It’s pretty nasty when you’re used to the real thing.”

  They were standing side by side at the bar, both leaning their backs against the edge. She set her can down and moved in front of him. “Dan, I know that stepping away from alcohol will be hard, but you have to try. I made a decision.”

  He looked down into her dark eyes, which were glittering intensely and asked, “What decision?”

  “I’m not going to serve you booze anymore. Even if I have to kick you out of the bar, I have to do my part in helping you beat this. If I kept encouraging you, I wouldn’t be a good friend.”

  He took a moment to consider this before flying off the handle or insisting that he was fine and could handle it. She saw one of her friends in a situation and was trying to help. She cared about him. He couldn’t be mad at her for caring about him.

  “Why do you even care so much?” he asked, his voice low. He wanted to know why she would make such an effort for him when he couldn’t even do that for himself.

  Reese offered him a small smile. “I don’t really know. But, I can tell you what I do know. I know that you are a good man. You have an intense love for your family and those you care about. You can’t be there for them if you aren’t doing everything you can for you. I know that you are capable of so much more than drinking all day long and taking your clothes off for money.” She reached out and without hesitation, touched his cheek, running her fingers over the rough stubble.

  “Reese …” he whispered, lifting his hand to cover hers.

  “I know that if it is true, what you say you are, then you were put on this earth for an important reason and throwing your life away is a waste of your gift. You have been given a tremendous power that you have seen as a curse at times, but you save souls, Dan … you can’t toss that aside.”

  He stared down at her in awe. Her dark waves tumbled down over her shoulders and her brown eyes seemed to bore right down into his soul. His hand was still on hers, holding it in place as if he didn’t want to let go. “I never thought about it that way,” he whispered.

  “Well, you need to start. You are important to so many people, and the souls as well.”

  Before he knew
what he was doing, he slid his free arm around her waist and pulled her close until her body was pressed against his. She squeaked a little in surprise and then relaxed against him.

  “Dan …” She began, but he cut her off by lowering his head and touching his lips to hers. She responded immediately, her arms moving to encircle his neck and her lips parting, opening for him to explore.

  God, she felt amazing. To hold a woman … this woman, felt better than he had ever thought it would. Her hips involuntarily moved against him, causing him to let out a moan beneath her lips.

  He suddenly felt like he could conquer anything, like he could rule the world, as long as he could keep on kissing her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  REESE

  She was the first to break the kiss.

  Gently, she pulled away, but he kept her firmly pressed against him, secure in his embrace. “What was that for?” she asked softly. She had always been attracted to him, but she didn’t think he had ever felt that way about her. Maybe it was just a spur of the moment thing because of high emotions. Maybe it didn’t have anything to do with if he liked her or not.

  “For believing in me,” he told her. “For believing that I can be a better person.”

  As much as she wanted to kiss him … perhaps even more, she didn’t want to do it if it wasn’t real. Not with Dan, that would hurt too much. She was already risking so much just with the one kiss.

  “And that warrants a hot and heavy kiss?”

  He stared down at her, meeting her gaze, his expression completely serious even with the strands of dark red hair that were falling in his face. “Reese, I have wanted to kiss you long before now.”

  She knew he was still mourning Anna, that the loss of the love of his life would take a very, very long time to get over. But she suddenly wanted to be there for him, to help him overcome all of it. She raised up onto her tiptoes and crushed her lips against his.