Page 14 of A Leaner Meaner Midlife

He raised a brow. “Only with my fiancé. She’s the only one in the Universe who can solve my issues.”

“And it better stay that way, buster,” I said with a giggle as I playfully slapped his perfect butt.

Gideon’s manner grew serious. “Nothing short of death will ever change the way I love you. Even in death, my love for you won’t end. That’s my promise to you, Daisy.”

My heart beat rapidly in my chest. I felt the same way. I had loved my first husband, Steve. He was a wonderful human being, but our marriage had been sadly flawed. He’d been my best friend and we’d grown into adults we were together. His death had devastated me. His coming back as a ghost to make right what had been wrong for us gave him a special place in my heart forever. I’d thought I’d known true love. I hadn’t… until the Grim Reaper came into my life.

Gideon was my soulmate. And I was his. Nothing short of death would separate us. I had no plans to die any time soon. I had way too much to live for.

“I feel sooo much better,” I said as we walked out of our bedroom. “Thank you, Grim Reaper.”

“Right back at you, Angel of Mercy slash Death Counselor,” he replied with a grin. “You ready to kick some ass… fiancé?”

“Always, fiancé,” I said with a giggle then raced him down the stairs.

A gaggle of ghosts were waiting in the living room, flying all over the place. It looked like Disney’s Haunted Mansion on crack. I felt bad that I hadn’t helped any of them lately, but they seemed content to stay for the moment. After my vacation, I’d dive back into my ghosts—so to speak.

“Dude,” Heather said, waving ghosts away. “Get control of your people.”

“Dead friends. Ease up,” I called out. They hovered around me and waited. “Okay, here’s the deal. I’m going to get Gram, Tory and Mr. Jackson. My family—chosen and blood—will stay here with you until I get back. I want you to be good, please. If a body part falls off, keep it with you. I’ll glue it back on when I get home.” I turned to Heather. “Can you make sure the Game Show Channel stays on while I’m gone?”

My sister gave me a thumbs up and handed me a burner phone and a slip of paper. “Will do. Tim has all the numbers recorded. This is a cheat sheet for you, just in case.”

I gave her a quick hug and counted heads—Immortal and human. Everyone was here and ready.

“OH MY GOD!” Carl squealed, grabbing my left hand and holding it up for all to see. “Is this what I think it is?’

I blushed, nodded and smiled. Gideon just grinned like the cat who had bested the canary.

“Yes!” Heather yelled. “A wedding in our future. Best news ever.”

Gideon and I were congratulated by all. Even my dead houseguests. Only Gabe was reserved. That was fine. His mind and energy were on Tory. I would have been the same if the situation was reversed. Candy Vargo offered to officiate. Gideon looked appalled at the suggestion. I was as well, but I’d learned never to discount or deny a gift. The overture was graciously accepted by me and not so graciously accepted by my fiancé.

“When’s the wedding?” June asked, fussing over my ring.

“Not a clue,” I admitted, admiring the gorgeous piece of jewelry with her. “I just asked him to marry me a half hour ago.”

“Badass,” Candy said with a salute. “The baddest of the badasses.”

I saluted the insane woman back. I’d take the compliment and continue to prove her right. I had to. Tory, Gram and Mr. Jackson’s lives—or afterlives for Gram and Mr. Jackson—depended on it.

It was time to go to Kentucky.

The afternoon was sunny and chilly. The mail truck trailed behind the minivan. Before we departed, there had been a brief debate about the queens bringing one of their horses, but Candy Vargo threatened not to give them boobs as their disguise if they pushed their luck. In the end twelve hours of a bouncy bosom outweighed the Horsemen wanting to bring a horse.

We were slated to arrive in Lexington, Kentucky shortly after midnight. Luckily, Jennifer’s Airbnb was not rented out. Having someplace to stay without drawing attention to ourselves was excellent. We were definitely a motley crew. Tim had printed off maps and detailed photos of the castle in the hour we took to prepare. I’d memorized all of it during the first two hours of the drive. It was good to have something to focus on. Knowing the landscape was key. It kept me from worrying about Tory, Gram and Mr. Jackson.

“How much longer?” Candy bitched from the middle row of seats.

Gideon was driving. I rode shotgun. Gabe, Candy and Jennifer sat in the second row. Jolly Sue, Lura Belle and Dimple were in the back. The Nephilim had been asleep for most of the trip so far. Gabe hadn’t spoken a word. He’d studied the paperwork Tim had provided, then stared out of the window. Jennifer and Candy had played hangman on a pad of paper for two hours. Candy Vargo lost constantly. At one point, I thought she might blow up the vehicle. She also told Jennifer that the next time she won, she would hang her instead of the little stick guy. That didn’t go over well. It had taken Gideon threatening to pull over and put Candy Vargo in the trunk to make her zip it and stop making ridiculous death threats.

“Four hours,” I told her.

“I’m bored,” she complained.

I rolled my eyes. She was worse than a kid.

“Not to worry,” Jennifer announced. “I’ve got the remedy for that.”

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