HauntingMelodyStClaire

by Ditter Kellen

  Chapter Five

  Melody stirred when Travis pulled her up against him so her head rested on his chest. “Wow. That was incredible.”

  “I’m out of practice.”

  She ran her cheek against his skin. “I doubt that.”

  He chuckled and stroked her hair. “The last time I had sex the most popular opening movie was E.T.” He pressed a kiss on top of her head.

  She did a quick calculation in her mind. “That was over thirty years ago.”

  “Yeah.” He tucked a finger under her chin. “I’m a ghost, remember? What about you?”

  “What do you want to know?” She rolled so she could see him.

  “No relationships?” His jaw was tight.

  She arched an eyebrow. “Not for a long while.”

  “Is that so?” He hauled her up for a kiss that left them both weak. “Just so you know, I don’t share.”

  She kissed him back. “I don’t either.” There was more force behind the words than she’d intended, but she couldn’t draw it back.

  He made a small noise of pleasure and kissed her again, a slow slide of his lips against hers. She could do this every day of her life. I’m falling in love with a ghost.

  Melody hid her distress against his throat.

  “Ever been married?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. You?”

  “Almost.” He sounded amused. “I was hours away from tying the knot.”

  Melody sat up. “Tell me you weren’t on your way to the wedding when you got in a wreck.”

  He grinned. “I wasn’t.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “I’m telling the story, beautiful.” He sat up and rolled them so that he trapped her against the mattress. Languorous interest uncoiled in her lower stomach. His naked body fit her in all the right places. She was caught in his gaze. At that moment he seemed so alive. The sad ache in her chest wouldn’t leave. He pulled away. “Where was I?”

  “Almost married.”

  “Right.” He rolled onto his back and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I wanted to and she didn’t. No one knew until she was caught in a compromising situation with my cousin.”

  That surprised her. “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope. My cousin was still in high school. He had no idea what he’d gotten himself into.” He glanced at her with a sad grin. “So to speak.”

  She ran her hand along his chest. “What a bitch.”

  “Yeah. I was lucky.”

  A lucky man didn’t lose his life as young as he did.

  “I was engaged for about a minute.”

  He looked at her in surprise. “Really?”

  “Yep. He was perfect.” She ticked off the requirements. “Nice car. Great job. Stable. Dependable.”

  “Dependable? Sounds like a collie.”

  She shrugged. The old pain had faded to almost nothing. “Yeah. We were perfect for each other. Everyone said so.”

  He tucked stray hair behind her ear. “What happened?”

  “I wanted kids and he didn’t so it was a deal breaker for me.”

  “That’s a shame. You would have been a fabulous mother.”

  She snorted. “I’m still young. Besides, we can always adopt.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him.

  He shook his head and his grin faded.

  The sad ache grew in her chest and she didn’t know why.

  She tucked against him and listened, taking comfort in his heartbeat. She ran her fingers along his stomach, watching the muscles contract under her touch. “Your heart beats.”

  “It does. Kassa said it’s my spiritual manifestation. I believe I’m still a whole man, so the body remembers little things like this.” He brought her hand up to his chest. “I can stop it too.”

  “Don’t do that.” Not yet. She didn’t want to see him disappear or do any ghost tricks. At the moment she wanted to believe they were tucked in a pocket of time.

  “You’re fidgeting again.”

  “What?”

  He looped a finger around her grandmother’s chain and Melody realized she’d been running the locket back and forth. His fingers picked up the treasure and held it in the light. “Why don’t you tell me the story behind this necklace?”

  Her hand covered his. “My grandmother gave it to me when Grandpa died.” She opened the clasp and the musical notes spilled out. “I’ve had it repaired I don’t know how many times.” She sat up and moved toward him, showing him the inside. “These are my grandparents. They loved each other more than life itself.” She looked down and admired their sweet embrace. “Nana called him her soul mate. My grandpa called her his once-in-a-lifetime love. After he died, she never remarried.”

  “You must miss them a lot.”

  She smiled. “I do. Very much.”

  “I’m sure they miss you too.”

  “Do ghosts cry?”

  He stiffened. “Sometimes.” He brought her hand back to his chest.

  She interlocked her fingers with his. Night loomed and she could see the rosy glow of evening. Darkness would come and with it more nightmares. She sighed. “Fear sucks. It must be a relief to not worry anymore.”

  His grip tightened for a moment. “Death doesn’t rescue you from fear or worry. If anything, being dead intensifies those feelings.”

  “What are you afraid of?”

  “Loneliness. Failure. Taxes. Even the dead have responsibilities.”

  “Taxes? Whatever.”

  “It’s that unfinished business I was talking about earlier. You have to face your death or suffer with waking nightmares.”

  “Like the ones I have?”

  He ran a finger down her cheek. “Trauma does strange things to the mind. How often do you have the nightmares?”

  She thought back. “Several times a week. Enough that I hate sleeping.”

  “How long ago was the fire?”

  She brushed the question off. “I’d rather hear about you than me.”

  “You’re awfully good at avoiding this subject.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about.” She averted her eyes while fingering the delicate chain of her necklace. “I really don’t want to start crying again.”

  “I understand.” He put his hand on the back of her head. “Let’s talk about something else then. Ask me anything you want.”

  “Okay.” She considered the statement. “Do many spirits remain behind?”

  “No. Most aren’t aware of the transition and quickly cross over.”

  She touched the locket. “How do you know?”

  He tucked a finger under her chin, raising her gaze to his. “Most don’t have anything to keep them here. I’ve watched a lot of transitions. Ghosts are drawn to each other.” He winked. “I even helped a few make it over.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yep. You had a reason for asking about it.”

  “Just my parents. I want to know if they made it over.”

  “They did.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  He regarded her in silence until she fidgeted. “Come on. I’ll show you.”

  “Show me what?”

  He took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Maybe you’re right. You need to know.” He pressed a light kiss on her forehead and rolled out of bed.

  “Where are you going?”

  He waved a hand. “Get dressed.”

  She had a moment to admire the firm lines of his body before his clothes were back on. Melody shook her head. That was one helluva trick.

  “Hey.”

  He turned. His bleak expression was chilling. “I’ll be downstairs.” He disappeared.

  The breath froze in her lungs and her heart pounded. She put a hand to her forehead. He was a ghost. She would need to remember that. Melody dragged clothes on, fumbling with the buttons in her haste. What did I say? Why is he acting so weird? She pulled her brush from the nightstand and ran it through the tangled mess of her hair. She flipped it over her should
er and put the brush back in the drawer. Melody went over the conversation in her head. What did he have to show her?

  She slipped on her shoes and trudged down the stairs, wishing she hadn’t mentioned her parents at all.

  Melody wandered down the hall to the entryway. Travis stared out the window and the orange glow of sunset bathed his body in rich color. At this angle, she could see right through him. He was dead. There was no future for them. Travis had both feet planted firmly apart, and with his arms crossed, he looked ready for battle. An intense feeling of déjà vu washed over her, rooting her to the spot. She shivered despite the warmth in the room. Why did it feel as if they’d done this before?

  Melody shook it off and reached his side, wrapping her arms around his waist. He stiffened. Her stomach twisted in hurt. She forced a smile. “You’re being mysterious.”

  “Not mysterious.”

  She braced her palms against the windowsill. “What would you call it then?” She watched the sun’s slow descent. Her heart ached as though it were ripping in two. You don’t do that with someone you’ve just met. Do you?

  “Where are we going?”

  She could feel his heavy gaze but chose to focus on keeping her voice calm and her body still.

  “I promised you proof that your parents crossed over, right?” He put his arm around her and she froze, afraid to relax.

  “You’re not going to do something extreme, right? No tunnel of light or disappearing acts?”

  “I never said I was crossing over. Let’s go.”

  She sagged against him in relief. He wasn’t leaving her. “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a short walk.”

  She noticed his tight smile and his closed-off expression. That twist in her stomach turned to a knot of sorrow. Was he lying to her?

  “Okay.” Travis took her hand. His grip was firm and cool. She missed the tenderness of his earlier touch. Maybe I’m crazy after all.

  He released her as they reached the door. She took the normal way while he slid through the walls. He obviously wanted her to see how different they were. She raised her face to the heavens and sighed. Even the dead were confusing when it came to relationships.

  They met no one on the sidewalk. Wind rustled dried leaves and crickets still sang their songs. She missed the birds. “I don’t think I’ve been down here before.”

  He shrugged. “Doesn’t surprise me. The sidewalk ends at the corner. It’s all gravel from there.” He grinned. “Hope you wore your walking shoes.” Travis reached out and took her hand.

  She returned his smile, loving the dimple in his cheek. The last bit of sunlight peeked over the horizon. “How did you find out you were dead?”

  “I became aware shortly after my wreck. My body was being worked on in the ER but I knew it was too late.”

  Homes gave way to less development. Abandoned yards and junkyard cars had become planters for late-blooming wild flowers. “Did you have a chance to leave?”

  He gazed at the rising moon. “I had a chance to cross over, but there were things I needed to do.”

  “Was it revenge or something?” The knot in Melody’s chest grew tighter. An eerily familiar white sign loomed ahead. They reached a tall iron fence covered with vines.

  “No.”

  “Then what?” She had to clear her throat past a lump of emotion, and her heart contracted.

  He stopped, and she dragged her attention away from that sign to his face. “Love.”

  She licked her dry lips and tried to figure out what he was saying. “Love prevented you from crossing over?”

  “No. It keeps me here.”

  She pulled her hand from his. “Listen. I’m not that good at filling in the blanks. So why don’t you just come out and tell me what you’re trying to say?”

  “Do you know where we are, Melody?”

  “Why would I? This is your trip, remember?”

  “You’ve been here before.”

  She scanned the area. That white sign stuck out in her mind, but they weren’t close enough to read it. She walked up to the iron fence and pushed the vines apart. Gravestones.

  “I don’t do cemeteries. Not since my grandmother died.”

  He stepped up beside her. “You wanted this, remember? I promised I would show you that your family crossed. We have to go in to do it.”

  She brushed damp palms against her jeans. “Right. I don’t want to do this anymore.”

  “The nightmares have to end. They’re ripping you apart.”

  She made a helpless gesture. “How is this going to help?”

  “You’ve got to trust me, Melody.” He held out his hand in her peripheral vision. “The afterlife is kind of my thing.”

  She nodded but couldn’t take his hand. “Let’s go.” She brushed past him to the entrance gate. Her feet trudged a path she’d thought long forgotten. The memory of her grandmother’s death was still raw in her heart. Her parents would have been buried there after the fire. Melody took a deep breath in silent agony over missing their funeral. Why did I miss it, again? The memory eluded her and she plunged forward.

  Travis appeared in front of her. “Wait.” He held up his hands. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

  She watched the moon shine through his body. “You’re right, I do need to know they’re okay. I can do this.”

  He brushed her hair behind her ear. “I’ll be here with you the whole time.”

  She wrapped her arms around him. He was solid, whole, and ghost or not, he was hers. His arms came around her for a moment, holding her against him. She blinked back tears and clutched her grandmother’s locket for strength. “Let’s get this over with.”

  He turned toward the St. Claire family graves and put a comforting arm around her shoulder. “Okay.”

  Melody recognized her grandparents’ ornate tombstone. Another joint one drew her attention. Her throat closed and she clutched the necklace for dear life. “That’s them?”

  He gave her a slight squeeze “Yeah.” He gently pushed her toward their gravestone. “You need to see them.”

  She inched forward. Her parents’ names were engraved in beautiful script across the stone. She sank to her knees and ran her fingers along the letters. “I didn’t bring flowers.” Her voice sounded strained, thick.

  “They don’t mind.” He knelt down close to her, a comforting presence.

  “How do you know?” She brushed at the tears soaking her cheeks. “I don’t see them here. Shouldn’t I feel them or some kind of peace?”

  He tilted his head. “Are you ready to do this?”

  She stood and he rose with her. “Of course. Wouldn’t you want to know if they’re together and happy?”

  He nodded.

  “What do I have to do? You’re not going to kill me or anything, are you?”

  He shook his head. “Come with me.” He held out his hand once more and she took it without hesitation. He led her a few more rows down. They stopped, and she looked around.

  “I don’t see them.”

  Her gaze followed his down and to the left at another grave. The words froze her heart.

  Melody St. Claire

  Beloved daughter and teacher

  Taken too soon

  Impossible.

  Chapter Six

  Melody’s eyes glazed over the dates. She jerked away from his touch. “Is this a sick joke?”

  She dragged her gaze from the words to Travis’ face. Pain twisted his features, and agony burned between them. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Sorry?” She shoved her fists against his chest. “I’m not dead.”

  “What happened the night of the fire, Melody?”

  She gripped her grandmother’s necklace. “I didn’t make it there in time. The fire was already going by the time I—”

  “No.” The word cut her off. Anger tightened his expression. “You were there when it started. Woke on the couch, remember?”

  She sliced her hand in the air. He was lying. �
��Those are nightmares, not reality.” Panic sent her pulse racing.

  “What’s reality, Melody?” He stepped forward and she moved away. Pain echoed from him. “Which makes more sense? You’re suddenly a medium to the spirit world, or that you are one yourself?”

  “But Kassa—”

  “Kassa is special.” His expression softened. “She’s talked with the dead since her first words.”

  Her world tilted and her knees buckled. “I’m not dead.”

  Travis gripped her biceps, jerking her attention from the ground to his face. “When was the last time you ate anything?”

  She tried to shrug him off. “I don’t know. I mean, I’m just not hungry.”

  He gripped her tighter, shaking her a bit. “When was the last time you went to work?”

  Why was he doing this to her? “I’m a teacher. Summer vacation—”

  “Summer ended months ago. You know I’m telling you the truth.”

  She looked around as though seeing the world for the first time. Leaves had long since fallen from the branches. She’d noticed the birds’ songs missing. The dried leaves on the way to the cemetery. Why hadn’t she… “This is impossible. I would know if I was dead.”

  “What year is it, Melody?”

  “It’s 2011.” She glared at him.

  “It’s 2013.” He crossed his arms.

  Something ripped open in her heart. “No way in hell.” She shoved his chest. “You’re lying.”

  “I’ve watched you, talked to you. Been with you for two years.”

  “I would remember.”

  “Would you? Think. You were a tortured spirit, raging through the burned ruins of your home. I found you there.”

  “You’re lying to me.” Her voice was raw with pain. She gripped her hair at the temples.

  “How did you die?”

  “Stop it. Please?”

  He shook her again and grabbed her hands, lifting them up between them. “Where are the scars from the fire? Think, Melody. Remember.”

  She looked down at her arms and saw smooth skin free of burns.

  Her memories cracked open and pain sliced through her. The fire. Their screams. Sobs racked her body.