The Ghoul Next Door

chapter Thirty

After filming, I was almost afraid to go back to the bookstore for fear of what I’d find this time. More vandalized books? Would the whole store be burned down? Everything was irritating me and I had no idea why. The letters hadn’t helped my feelings. I could almost feel the anger coming off the pages and seeping up from my purse. I had to know what the new letter said.

Dear Homewrecker:

You may think this letter is a joke, but I can assure you it is not. As long as you leave Callahan alone, nothing will happen. I warned you yesterday, but apparently you didn’t take me seriously. I’m working with Callahan now and we’re spending a lot of time together. There is no room for you in his life.

Best regards,

Ginger

Best regards? What would she have said if she’d sent bad regards? Ginger wasn’t even afraid to sign her name. That was crazy. I had to know who this woman was. Maybe I needed to pay her a visit. But if she really was crazy that could be dangerous.

I stuffed the letter back into my purse and hurried out of my car and toward Book Nook. I looked over my shoulder. I never knew when some crazy would be following me. Apparently I attracted all the crazies now.

“Oh, you are popular. Ghosts hate you and so do the living.” Candy Cherry floated behind me. The venom oozed out of her words. Why did she hate me so much?

“Don’t listen to her, Larue. She is being nasty,” Elvis said from over my shoulder.

With my hand on the door, someone reached out and grabbed me. I whirled around with my fist in the air.

“Whoa, Rocky, take it easy,” Mindy said.

I clutched my chest. “Oh, my gosh. I’m so sorry. I’m just a little on edge.”

I reached in my purse and handed Mindy the letter, then motioned for her to follow me inside.

Beth looked up when I walked through the door of Book Nook.

“This came for you today. It’s marked urgent on the envelope.” Beth waved the envelope in the air.

My heart rate spiked when I recognized the cream-colored paper. Two in one day? This was crazy. Mindy stood behind me, leaning over my shoulder.

I didn’t speak as I snatched the letter from her hand. Beth frowned.

“I’m so sorry. I have no idea why I’m acting this way.” My hands shook.

“Larue, are you okay?” Mindy asked.

“Am I acting strange?” I asked.

“Um, just a little.” She pinched her index finger and thumb together.

Without offering a response, I ripped open the letter.

“I told you that you are popular. Another lovely letter from your new friend,” Candy Cherry said snarkily.

I didn’t give her the benefit of a response. She didn’t deserve one. All she wanted to do was make me angry—I had to fight my anger.

“You should confront Callahan with this. Ask him what’s up,” Mindy said from over my shoulder.

“I know,” I said while still reading the letter.

I couldn’t believe this woman had sent another letter. She was crazy. I was seriously worried about Callahan’s safety… not to mention my own.

In case you didn’t take the other letter seriously, I thought I’d send another. I meant what I said: stay away from Callahan. He doesn’t want to be with you. Typical guy, I know, but he doesn’t know how to tell you that he isn’t interested in you. So do yourself a favor, and leave him alone. Got it? Good.

Best regards,

Ginger

Again with the best regards. What a psycho.

“Do you think he knows about the letters?” Mindy asked.

I rubbed my temples. “Honestly, I don’t know. There has to be something going on, right?”

“Usually there is.” Mindy clucked her tongue. “We could go kick her butt.”

“Oh, please. He is with his girlfriend. You are not the girlfriend. Callahan is playing you,” Candy Cherry snapped.

Mr. Fine laughed, but the chuckles stopped when Elvis approached Mr. Fine and Candy Cherry. It looked as if he’d had enough of their taunting.

“I hate this relationship junk. Why does it have to be so difficult? Why can’t you just meet someone, you get along, do things together, have fun and live life. Why is there so much freakin’ drama? I don’t like drama. I like quiet.”

“You like quiet?” Mindy snorted. “You never get quiet. You have dead people talking in your ears constantly.”

I sighed. “Don’t remind me.”

“You need to ask him though. If he doesn’t know about the letters, then he needs to, and if he does know, then he needs to come clean with you. He can’t play two women.”

“I guess technically he can,” I said.

“Well, you’re not going to be one of those two women. Period. I’ll see to that.” Mindy placed her hands on her hips.

“I’m supposed to see Callahan tonight. I’ll have to tell him then. I just hope I get the answer I’m searching for.”

Mindy hugged me. “Let me know if anything happens. I’m going to teach a class. The women are going crazy without me there.” She stared at me when she pulled away.

Mindy studied my eyes, but didn’t say a word. A look of fear spread across her face and she hurried out, the bell above the door jingling in her wake.

Thank goodness Mindy hadn’t asked me to go. I didn’t have the energy to hang on to the pole. Not to mention that the anger inside me mounted. I hated this feeling and it wasn’t like me to feel this way. I pulled out the mirror from my purse. Blazing blue eyes stared back at me. I slammed the mirror down. I didn’t want to see it.

The day couldn’t go by fast enough. I found myself watching the clock and unable to concentrate. I paced the length of the bookstore so much that I even got on the ghosts’ nerves. Not that it would take much to annoy nasty Candy or Mr. Fine. But I was even making Elvis nervous. He paced the floor behind me.

After I closed for the day, I hurried home, showered, changed into a little black dress and waited for Callahan to arrive. I’d show Callahan the letters and hope for the best.

“Are you wearing that?” Candy Cherry asked while she picked fake lint from her red dress.

“Yes, I’m wearing this,” I mocked.

“You look gorgeous,” Elvis said.

Normally, I would have swooned at the fact that Elvis Presley had complimented me. I mean, Elvis Presley! But my heart just wasn’t in it. The black feeling inside me made feel like the Grinch, minus the stealing Christmas gifts part.

When the doorbell rang, I almost couldn’t breathe. I had no idea how Callahan would act when I showed him the letters. With heavy feet, I forced myself to walk to the door. Sucking in a big breath, I swung the door open. Callahan stood in front of me with a giant smile across his face. Damn, he looked good.

“You look stunning,” he said.

Okay, he chipped away at the blackness with that comment—only a little though. “Thank you,” I squeaked out.

“Are you ready?” Callahan asked.

I nodded. “Yeah, but first, there’s something I need to talk to you about.” My stomach turned. I hated confrontations.

“It sounds serious.” Callahan’s brow furrowed.

I nodded. “Yeah, it kind of is serious. Why don’t you have a seat on the sofa.”