Ghoul of My Dreams (Larue Donavan Series Book 4) (15 page)

Chapter 17

One more twirl around the metal pole and I’d be finished. The other women in the class moved with ease, like rain gliding down the side of a window. My movements were more like a car running out of gas, chugging along the road trying to make it to the station. The ghosts were watching me, but the only way I could get through class was to ignore them. I was pretty sure I’d heard Roger laughing. At this point, I should have been a lot better at this, but I wasn’t much better since the first time I’d ever tried it when Mindy had first opened her studio.

Had Mindy added verses to this song? I thought for sure we were almost finished, but she kept going. Time seemed to stand still. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold on before I would completely collapse onto the floor. Sweat trickled down into my eyes and my hair whipped around and stuck to my face. I seriously needed to talk to Mindy about adding an easier kind of class to her schedule. Was there such a thing? If there was, I was going to find it. Maybe she should add meditation where we sat quietly. Now that I could handle. I wasn’t against exercise, per se, but walking or riding a bike was more my style.

The music stopped and I instantly tumbled to the floor. Mindy thought I was being dramatic, but seriously, I needed an ambulance or something. She should invest in oxygen tanks. I’d pay good money for one right now. Maybe a doughnut would help. For a moment I closed my eyes, wishing I could nap right there. I felt someone staring at me. When I opened my eyelids, Marilyn, Roger, and James were hovering over me.

“That was… that was… well, don’t ever quit your job and become a dancer,” Roger said around a laugh.

“You gave it your best shot.” Marilyn gave me a pitying look.

James stared but remained speechless. That was probably for the best. I finally stumbled up from the floor, adjusting my pants and workout bra.

“Thank you, Marilyn,” I said breathlessly.

I could always count on her to have something nice to say. Even if she had to make it up.

People slowly filed out of the room and Mindy walked over to me. “Good job, Larue.”

I wiped my forehead with the towel I’d pulled from my bag. “Oh, don’t lie. You know I sucked.”

She shook her head and then nodded. “Okay, you did, but you got exercise and that’s the most important thing.”

“Great, now I’m starving.”

“Well, good news is I found out where this guy works and it just so happens to be that new restaurant over on Potter Street. He’s the manager there.”

“Please tell me that means we get to go there and eat.” I clasped my hands together as if praying.

She shrugged. “I don’t see why not. Grab your bag and let’s go.”

She didn’t have to ask me twice. Mindy and I climbed into the front seat of my car. With her in the passenger seat, that left the ghosts outside staring at the back seat. Roger scowled and Marilyn just appeared confused.

“You will all have to sit back there together,” I said as I started the car.

James motioned for Marilyn to go first. When I glanced in the rearview mirror, they had all filed in with Marilyn in the middle. James sat on her left and Roger on her right. Roger had a smile on his face from ear to ear. Marilyn scooted to the left. She didn’t seem as thrilled.

“It’s really cramped back here, Larue. You need a bigger car,” Roger said.

“Maybe I should get a bus?” I shifted into drive.

“Yes, that would be perfect,” Roger said excitedly.

“I was being sarcastic,” I said.

He shrugged. “It’s still a good idea.”

I pulled out onto the road and headed for the new restaurant. I felt bad because I knew Callahan had planned to take me there, but it was a casual place, so maybe he wouldn’t mind if I went with Mindy first.

“I hate that we’re so underdressed,” I said.

Mindy and I still had on our workout gear. Of course, she was always so put together. My hair looked like I’d been in a tornado and my cheeks were still flushed from the workout.

After the short drive, I pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot. Magnolia Grille was in a new building that was made up of mostly windows. They were tinted a dark black so we couldn’t see inside. The place was very modern, but the added flowers and delicate patio furniture had a Southern flare.

I adjusted my white T-shirt as I got out of the car. “I hope they don’t kick us out for being so casual.”

Mindy waved her hand. “We look fabulous.”

We walked through the door and the hostess greeted us right away. The petite blonde didn’t even seem to notice how we were dressed. She led us to the table in the corner of the room. The place was so packed I didn’t think anyone else paid attention to us either.

“Your server will be here soon,” the hostess said, leaving the menus on the table.

Mindy and I sat down and immediately perused the dinner choices. I was just glad we were finally getting food. I wanted one of everything.

Within a minute, the server came over. The tall brunette plastered a huge smile on her face. “Hello, ladies. Are you ready to order?”

Mindy didn’t waste any time asking for the manager. The waitress probably thought she’d done something wrong.

“Sure, I’ll get the manager” she said with a forced smile.

Mindy and I studied the food choices again while we waited for the manager to come over.

“I’m a little nervous. I want to find out more about Stone.” I said, peeking over the top of the menu.

“Well here’s your chance, I think the guy is headed our way.” Mindy gestured with a tilt of her head.

The man approached our table. He wore a black suit and blue shirt. His dark hair was combed to the side.

“Hello, ladies, how may I help you?”

“I think you know my brother, Adam Winters?” Mindy asked.

He shook her hand. “Oh yes, you must be Mindy.”

Mindy gestured toward me. “This is my friend, Larue Donavan.”

He smiled and stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you. My name is Mike McLaughlin.”

By the quirked bushy eyebrow, I knew he still wondered why we had asked for him.

“We’re actually looking for someone you might know,” I said. “His name is Stone. Watkins”

He eyed me strangely. “Yes, are you friends with Stone?”

“We met briefly,” I said.

He folded his arms in front of his chest. “Oh, well, yes he is staying with me while he’s in town.

Mindy and I exchanged a look.

“Bingo,” Roger said from over my shoulder.

That was exactly what I had wanted to hear. Now, if Stone would just give us more information.

“I’m sure Stone would love to talk to you.” Mike smiled widely.

He must have thought I was hunting Stone for romantic reasons.  

Whatever worked.

“I can give him a call and see if he can come right over. I don’t live far from here.” He motioned over his shoulder.

I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to talk with Stone, but I wasn’t sure he would come over here when he found out it was me searching for him. Now, I probably seemed like some kind of crazed stalker.

“I’ll go call him,” Mike said and turned around before I had a chance to stop him.

“Do you think he’ll come over here?” Mindy asked.

“Not a chance,” I said.

While we waited, Mindy and I ordered food. I got a grilled chicken sandwich and Mindy got tuna salad. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to eat, though. I was too nervous over the prospect of meeting Stone again. Would he even show up? Even if he did, he would probably leave as soon as he saw it was me. I didn’t understand what he had to hide.

Soon, the food arrived and I tried to eat, but I ended up pushing it around the plate. I had been so hungry before. It was unlike me to lose my appetite.

Mindy gestured with her fork. “It’s important to eat after you work out to get your energy back. This is when you’re burning the most calories.”  

I took a bite and forced myself to chew. Once I swallowed, I said, “Happy now?”

She smirked. “Yes. Don’t worry, everything will be okay.”

“Yes, Larue, try not to worry,” Marilyn said.

I kept glancing at the door waiting for any sign of Stone. A group of people entered and I sighed. I had hoped it was Stone.

“Watching the door won’t make him get here any sooner,” Mindy said.

“He’s probably not coming,” Roger said.

Why did he have to be such a jerk?

I looked at my watch. “It’s been long enough for him to get here.”

“Whoa, check him out.” Mindy gestured toward the door. “He’s a tall glass of water.”

I turned around in my chair. Stone was standing there scanning the restaurant as if he was lost.

“He’s handsome, huh?” Mindy said.

“That’s Stone,” I whispered as if he would hear me.

“Really? He’s good-looking. Why didn’t you tell me he’s gorgeous?” she pretended to drink water while staring.

“I guess I didn’t think about it.”

He hadn’t looked our way yet. I turned back around so he wouldn’t see me staring.

“Let me know what he’s doing,” I said.

Mindy took another bite, but kept her eyes on the door. “He’s talking to the manager right now. He just pointed over here.”

“Don’t make eye contact with them.” I hunched down in my chair.

“If he comes over here, then he will know it’s you,” Roger said.

“She doesn’t want him to think she was too anxious to talk to him,” Marilyn said.

“Exactly. Thank you, Marilyn,” I said.

Mindy appeared to be confused about my comment, but didn’t ask me to repeat what was said. The ghosts were standing behind the partition that led back to the bathrooms. Stone probably couldn’t see them from where he stood.

“What are they doing now?” I asked.

“They’re still standing there talking. It appears like the manager is trying to convince Stone to come over.” Mindy pretended to take a bite of food.

“I’m really beginning to think he doesn’t like me,” I said.

“Beginning to think? It’s like the guy believes you have a contagious disease,” Roger said.

“Thanks,” I said drily.

“Oh, they’re coming this way.” Mindy peered down at her plate.

“Just act casual.” I took a drink of water.

“Here they come,” Roger moved around to the other side of the table for a better view.

“Hello, ladies,” Mike said.

Even though I didn’t want to, I finally met Stone’s gaze.

“Would you like to sit down?” Mindy gestured at the chair beside me.

Mike motioned toward the kitchen. “I have to get back to work, but I’m sure Stone would love to.”

Stone pulled out a chair and sat down. He stretched his hand across the table. “My name’s Stone.”

“Mindy,” she said, shaking his hand.

He shifted his focus to me. “How are you?”

“I’m okay.” I took another drink, trying to act casual.

“How’s your ankle?” He studied my face.

“Much better.” I wondered if I sounded convincing.

“I wasn’t going to come here tonight. When I saw you at the table, I thought about turning around and leaving.”

“Wow, Larue, he really likes you.” Roger laughed.

“So what changed your mind?” I asked.

He looked as if there was something he didn’t want to tell me. “The dark shadow was here beside you.”

I hadn’t expected Stone to say that. I scanned the room. “I don’t see anything.”

Why hadn’t the ghosts seen the shadow?

Stone motioned with a nod of his head. “It was standing behind you. I couldn’t leave you here to deal with it.”

“I’ve been dealing with it for some time. I’m getting used to it by now,” I said.

“Nonetheless, I just couldn’t leave.”

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t.”

He peered at me over the top of his dark eyelashes. “I thought I could ignore the shadow when I saw it, but now I realize I can’t. We have to get rid of it.”

I quirked an eyebrow. “We?”

“Obviously, I can’t do it by myself,” Stone said.

My stomach flipped. “What do we do to get rid of it?”

He studied his shoes for a moment before making eye contact. “We have to get the shadow back to the portal.”

“Whoa, what does
that
mean?” Roger asked.

“I don’t like the sound of it,” Marilyn said.

“The portal? Where is this portal?” I asked.

He ran his hand through his thick hair. “At the house where I grew up.”

This was getting serious.

“I knew there was something wrong in that house,” Roger said.

Stone and I looked at Roger.

“Why didn’t you say something then?” I asked.

Roger shrugged.

“How do you know there’s a portal there?” I glared at Roger, as if that would make him talk.