Page 1 of My Blind Date is a Ghost

CHAPTER 1

The bell above the door to the shop rings and I look up to see my darling husband, Edward, enter the shop holding a parcel and a bouquet of wildflowers.

"What is this?" I ask.

"What?" he asks as he approaches the counter. "Can't a man just happen to pick flowers on the way to see his beautiful wife?"

I lean over the counter and give him a peck on the cheek. "You're early."

"Well, I thought I could take Joseph to the park while there is still light out. Where is the little scamp?"

"He's in the back, looking at the children's books, of course."

"Of course."

"I have the latest Federalist Papers for you," I say, reaching under the counter and pulling out a small stack of pamphlets. I wasn't particularly interested in politics; I only wanted peace. The revolution had only ended four years ago, and tensions among some people were still high. But Edward devoured the Federalist papers. I had a feeling it wouldn't be long before he started talking about running for office himself, but thankfully, he hadn't brought it up yet. I wasn't sure I wanted to be a politician's wife. I loved our life in Mystic Cove, and considering the town's history, I didn't think that bringing attention to our little village was a good idea. Edward and I were mere humans, but most of our friends and family were some sort of supernatural creature, and my mother, a witch, was sure that Joseph would one day manifest as a warlock, though I was less convinced.

"Must you work late tonight?" Edward asked.

I sashayed around the counter and gave him a long kiss on the lips. He knew long before we were ever married that I wanted to take over running my mother's book shop, The Book Coven. He said that he didn't mind having a wife that worked. But in the years since he'd been married, it had become a source of contention. Edward was a teacher at the school, and well-respected, but I earned considerably more money. My mother was still alive, and most days we worked in the shop together, but she had been coming in less and less often.

"It's not work," I told him. "It's the book club. The ladies are coming over later to discuss Mary Wollstonecraft's latest writing."

He rolled his eyes. "Oh, yes. The notorious writer for women's rights."

"Hmm," I said as I straightened his tie so I wouldn't lose my temper. Of course I supported more rights for women, especially the right to vote. How could I not? I was just as well-educated and well-informed as my husband. I didn't need him to speak for me at the polls. I could make my own decisions. But, again, this was a sore spot between us.

"Well," I said once I'd calmed down, "you'll be happy to know that this is not one of her works on that topic, but a novel. Her first one."

"It is still terribly scandalous, I'm sure," he said, tapping my nose.

"I wouldn't read it if it wasn't," I said with a smile. I then noticed the parcel he was carrying. "What's this?"

"Oh, it's a tea I picked up at the apothecary," he said. "Red raspberry. The chemist said it was good for...you know...becoming with child."

"Oh," I said, not particularly excited about the notion. Of course, I'd always wanted children. I adored my little Joseph and would love to have a daughter one day. But I was in no rush. Edward seemed convinced that something was wrong. Joseph was four years old, so he couldn't understand why I hadn't fallen pregnant again. I wasn't concerned. I simply wasn't in a rush. If another child came along, I'd be glad, but I was also enjoying not being pregnant or nursing for the moment. It gave me so much more free time to read and support local charities and spend time with friends and grow the book store.

"Well," I said, "you know what the doctor said when we talked to him about it. The worst thing we can do is worry. Babies come when they come."

"Still, we should be doing all we can," he said, clearing his throat. "I'm not getting any younger. Why don't you brew that while I go find Joseph."

"Very well," I said, shaking my head with a sigh as he walked away. I'd have to talk to Mrs. Jenkins, the local midwife, and ask if there was anything I could do to prevent a pregnancy. Not forever, of course, just...for a little while. I went over to the woodstove and placed a kettle on top to boil. It was fall, so it was already a little nippy here in the northeast. The woodstove help keep the shop nice and toasty. I then went to the big, windowed area at the front of the store where there were several comfortable chairs and sofas and where we would have our book club. As I was working, I looked out the window and saw a man, Jeremiah Holland, a local werewolf, walking across the street. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck raise. He looked as though he was talking to himself. I decided to pull the blinds down so he wouldn't be able to look in on us. The Holland clan insisted that Jeremiah was harmless, but he still made me uncomfortable.

I tidied the seating area and then made up a separate pot of rose tea for my soon-to-be-arriving guests. I brewed myself only a cup of the red raspberry tea to placate my husband and took a big gulp. It didn't taste horrible, I only wanted to get it over with.

"Mama!" Joseph called as he ran to me from the back of the shop. "Mama, look at this." He held up an illustrated reader and pointed to some of the words. "Jack...and...Jill!"

I laughed. "Yes, my darling. What a very good reader you are! Maybe one day you'll be a literature teacher just like your Papa."

"No!" he whined. "I want to read books with you all day."

"Aww." I took him into my arms and hugged him tightly. Maybe another baby wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. "Well, you are growing into a big boy now. Soon, you'll have to go to school like Papa does every day." My stomach made a gurgling noise.

"Are you hungry, Mama?" Joseph asked me.

"No," I said. "Just a little...indigestion, I suppose." I rubbed my stomach, willing it to settle. I didn't want to be sick and have to cancel the book club that night.

"I'm sure you will feel fine when you finish your tea," Edward said as I stood back up to kiss him goodbye. "When are the ladies coming?"

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