by Sandra Cox
Marcy dutifully lifted her nose and sniffed. “Smell what? Your arms have just gone to sleep. That’s happened to me before. Just keep shaking them and they’ll feel better in no time.”
Right. I ran to the sink, turned on the cold water, and stuck them under it. The heat disappeared as quickly as it had come. The smell was gone too. This is weird. I touched my arms, for any lingering warmth, but they were cool from the water. My skin looked perfectly normal, no blisters.
“Are you better?”
“Yes.”
“I would have never thought about running water for a muscle cramp. I’ll remember that next time.”
I opened my mouth to correct her, then promptly shut it. What was the point?
Marcy’s attention turned back to the test tube. She waited expectantly, her eyes wide. As the minutes ticked away, the look of expectation turned to disappointment. “That thief, I’m going to ask for all my money back. He sold me empty test tubes.”
I tried to work up a “well duh.” But I couldn’t quite do it, maybe because I was shaking like a leaf.
When I didn’t respond, my cousin looked at me. The frown on her lovely features deepened. “What’s wrong with you? You’re white as a sheet and trembling.”
Not for a million bucks or a thousand pair of shoes would I admit I might have just experienced my first ghostly encounter. I croaked the first thing that came to mind. “Sugar.”
She pulled out a box of donuts, tossed them on the table, just missing an empty juice glass, and I fell into the chair.
“Want a Pepsi?”
“Please.”
“I can’t believe I got scammed. I was so sure I was buying ghosts. The seller seemed so sincere.” She pulled a can out of the fridge and handed it to me. I drank it so fast I choked, and she slapped me on the back.
“I’m fine.” I waved her away.
“Here, have a donut.”
I reached for a glazed, inhaling the yeasty confection before brushing my palms together to get the sticky icing off my fingers.
“There, you’re looking better.” She beamed, then turned and walked out.
I loved my cousin, and her abrupt mood changes were just part of her charm, but this one left me a bit off balance. Clearly, she was already over her ghost disappointment and had moved on to her next obsession.
As soon as she left, I slipped out of the room and went to the little study off my bedroom, opened my laptop, and googled paranormal activity. In moments, I was immersed. Time disappeared as I tried to find a rational explanation for the strange scent that had appeared when the top popped on the tube, along with the kilowatt voltage that had fried my skin without leaving a mark.
“I’m leaving now.” Marcy spoke from the doorway.
My breath caught and I clutched my heart. “You scared me. What time is it?” I looked at the tick-tock cat clock on my wall, disoriented. “Six o’clock,” we said in unison, me in disbelief.
“Have you been networking all this time?”
“Yeah.” I took the coward’s way out and didn’t try to explain I’d been researching paranormal activity—ghosts in particular—not chatting socially. I’d be totally humiliated if my sophisticated cousin thought I was a geek. “You look great, Marcy.” She wore faded jean capris and a crimson silk shirt over a red halter, topped off with chunky red jewelry. “I didn’t think the party was till later.”
“Cookout on the patio.”
“Gotcha. Have fun.”
“Sure you don’t want to go?” A set of bangle bracelets jingled on her arm as she shifted her little red clutch to her other hand.
For a moment, I considered it. But I had a headache I couldn’t shake, and the nerves under my skin were twitching. “I’ll catch the next one.”
“All right. Feel better.” She gave me an airy wave of her fingers before she strolled out of the room.
“Have fun,” I called after her, then winced as it notched up my headache. I shut my laptop and stretched. Maybe a swim would clear my head. I put on my black one-piece and headed for the pool, my cork thongs clopping against the warm cement. The glistening liquid beckoned. After toeing off my footwear, I dove in.
The cold splash of water shocked me and cleared my head. I floated on my back, buoyant, mindless. The sun still had an hour before it would set, but already the sky had turned a lovely shade of red. My body went limp and my headache disappeared.
Interspersed with the smell of chlorine, a light scent drifted toward me. For a moment, I enjoyed the sensual masculine fragrance. The next instant my body went rigid. Cinnamon and tart limes! Stiff as a board, I lost my buoyancy and went under. I kicked to the surface, coughing and choking. As I dog-paddled and pushed my streaming hair out of my face, a shadow fell across the pool.
My heart gave a hard thump. “Who’s there?” I scrubbed droplets out of my eyes but couldn’t see anything.
The sky clouded and turned overcast as the wind cooled and picked up, causing the water to ripple. Goose bumps rose on my arms and legs that had nothing to do with the weather. The shadow swayed back and forth in rhythm with the wind, beginning to take shape.
My insides turned to ice, my breath coming in short, sharp pants.
The next moment, a shimmery silhouette of a man lay across the water.
With more speed than grace, I sprinted for the opposite side of the pool. Water churned as I kicked out. As soon as I reached the ladder, I grasped it and whipped around. “Who’s there?” I squeaked again. Only silence. The shadow, or whatever, was gone. The only scent the evening breeze carried was chlorine.
My muscles bunched and jumped as I pulled myself out of the pool. Pressure building in my head, I grabbed a thick white towel, wrapped it around me, and raced into the bungalow just as the phone rang. My feet wet, I slipped and slid across the tile floor as I hurried to answer it. “Hello?”
“Caitlin, how are you?” Laughing voices and music sounded in the background.
“Clayton?” Surprise jolted me.
“Yeah, I’m back. I was going to surprise you. Thought you’d be at Richie’s. Want me to come over?”
“I’d love for you to,” I responded with more enthusiasm than poor Clayton usually received from me.
“I’m on my way.” He clicked off.
“Hurry,” I muttered to the silent phone.
I looked furtively around as I raced to the bedroom to change clothes. I didn’t know what I was worrying about. We had an excellent alarm system. Nonetheless, I locked myself in the bedroom and dressed in record time. I peeked out the door. Reassured no one was there, I skulked into the hallway and waited for Clayton. When the buzzer sounded, I opened the door and threw myself into his arms.
His eyebrows rose, his body went rigid, and his face registered stunned surprise…for about five seconds. “This is more like it.” He kissed me enthusiastically, his hands busy as little bees.
I drew back. “I’m sorry, Clayton. I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression.” Clayton and I went out occasionally, but we weren’t an item.
He took a deep inhale and got his breathing under control. His arms dropped from my shoulders. “For a moment there, I thought absence may have made your heart grow fonder, since we haven’t seen each other in a few weeks.”
Heat crept into my cheeks. “I’m aware our relationship has never progressed to its natural conclusion. You’ve pointed it out repeatedly.”
“Then what’s the problem? You’re uh not…” He shifted on his feet.
“No, Clayton, I’m not gay. I’m convinced half my appeal for you—besides being your boss’s niece—is the challenge.”
He stuck his hands in the pockets of his khaki shorts and rocked back on his heels. “You know that’s not true. Never mind, baby. I know that kind of talk makes you nervous. I just thought for a moment there…”
“When I threw myself into your arms?” I added helpfully.
“Yeah, pretty muc
h.” He grinned. At least the boy had a sense of humor...sort of.
“I am glad to see you.” I’d be glad to see anybody right now. I tugged his hand out of his pocket and tried to lead him into the living room. “Tell me about your trip.”
“Cut the crap, Cat. Why did you throw yourself at me?” Face set in stubborn lines, he pulled his hand back.
“Well, I was glad to see you.” I nodded my head for emphasis.
“And?” He arched an eyebrow.
“It’s impossible to wear down a banker-in-training,” I groused. “Once focused, you’re sharp as steel and about as malleable.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Now what’s going on?”
“I thought there was an intruder when I was at the pool.”
He straightened, all signs of the lazy playboy gone in an instant. “Why didn’t you say so? Did you call the police?”
“And tell them what? A shadow fell across the pool, but no one was there?”
He gave me a strange look. “Is the alarm system on?”
“Yes.”
“You stay here. I’m going to take a look outside.”
“Thanks, Clayton.” Relief swamped me.
“Stay here.” He snapped the words out again.
“I’m coming with you.” But I was already talking to his back.
I ran to the bedroom. He might have been conservative—okay he was conservative; he was going into the banking business. And he might not have attracted me at the basic level. But he was a good guy to have in my corner when the chips were down. He was no coward.
I rummaged in my dresser drawer for the Taser dad had given me when I moved out, grabbed it, and then ran through the house and out the back door in hot pursuit. When Clayton stopped abruptly, I ran full tilt into his warm solid back and nearly tased my foot. “Ouch.” I rubbed my nose.
“Don’t you ever do what you’re told?” He eased me to his side, then cautiously walked the enclosure. The gray clouds had lifted. The sun dropped in the sky in a bright red orb that threw garnet sparkles on the water. A few early stars began to make their appearance. The scent of chlorine mixed with Clayton’s expensive aftershave. I relaxed. No limes and cinnamon. The presence was gone.
We circled the pool and then the house. “I don’t see anyone.” Clayton took one last look around.
“Maybe it was my imagination.” Not.
“In this case, I hope so.” He glanced at his watch.
I could take a hint. “Why don’t you go back to the party?”
“I’ll stay for a little while.”
“Really, I’m okay.” Pricks of discomfort tightened my chest. I was so not okay.
“Tell you what. I’ll take one more look around, then check the house before I go.”
“Deal.” My taut muscles loosened. While he checked the property, I grabbed a soda. He walked in as I popped the top. “Want one?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I’ll just do a quick check of the rooms.”
I swallowed a giggle. Clayton might not be getting lucky with me, but I had a feeling the evening wasn’t going to be a wash for him. He went through the bungalow in record time.
He came into the kitchen and pecked me on the cheek. “I’ll call you soon.” He stopped me before I could trail after him. “I can see myself out.”
“Sure.” He didn’t sprint for the door, but he disappeared through it pretty fast. I’d bruised his ego. Again. “I’m going to stop dating altogether.” I’d never met a guy who melted me like molten lava, and I didn’t intend to settle for less. “I’m a freak.”
“That’s the damn silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”