Page 51 of My Blind Date is a Ghost

“Do they go eat Chinese food?” I ask.

“I guess some do or else the restaurants wouldn’t be open.”

I nod thoughtfully. I love Chinese food. I’d never had it before. We had a few Chinese immigrants in Mystic Cove in my time, but they didn’t have restaurants, so I’d never eaten their food before. I really love the variety of food available today. Chinese, Mexican, Italian. It’s all so wonderful. I’ve put on a little weight since I woke up. I know because when Sophia took me shopping for more clothes, we had to go up a size. So, I’m trying not to eat quite so much, but it’s hard when everything is so delicious—and when Jumpin’ Beans is right next door.

“Why didn’t you go home for Christmas?” I ask. “Don’t you want to spend the holiday with your family?”

“The results from the exhumation could show up anytime,” he says. “I want to be here when they come in. Besides, I’ve spent every Christmas up to now with them. This is your first modern Christmas. I want to be here with you.”

I give him a smile and then look back down to my feet, watching my steps to make sure I don’t slip. Beckett and I have been growing closer over the last few weeks. I certainly enjoy his company. He’s handsome and fun and thoughtful. And since I don’t sleep, I don’t mind that he works irregular hours. But I’ve held back from making anything official. We are not courting, or “dating,” as Sophia would put it.

I’ve only just woken up in this world, and I want to experience all it has to offer. I’m not quite ready to settle down just yet. And, as strange as it might seem, I’m a bit stung by the fact that my husband, Edward, remarried so quickly after my death. I know it happened over two hundred years ago, and things were different then, but this is brand new news to me. The shock and hurt of it is new, and I’m not quite sure what to make of it. I know it doesn’t make much sense to punish Beckett for Edward’s mistakes, but I can’t help it. My trust in men, and my trust in my own feelings, is a bit shaken. How could I not know that my own husband had his eyes on my best friend? Of course, it could be that he didn’t notice her until after my death. But I find that a bit far-fetched.

“Well, we will have to see what Beverly’s plans are,” I say. “But I’m sure she won’t mind having you over for Christmas morning. You certainly can’t spend it alone.”

“I’m sure she will have plans with your rather extensive extended family,” he says with a smirk.

“I’m sure,” I say. “Which is why one more guest won’t make much difference.”

“Have you gotten me a Christmas present yet?” he asks.

“Actually, no,” I lie. I’ve had his gift picked out, bought, and wrapped for weeks.

His face falls. “Oh.”

“I’m going to!” I say. “I just need to make plans with Sophia. But she’s so busy with her own Christmas festivities.”

“This will be her and Jacob’s first Christmas as a married couple, right?”

I nod. “Yes, so I’m not actually sure how much of Christmas they will be spending with the rest of the fam—” I gasp and start to scream as a light appears around me and I feel the world around me flicker.

“Cora!” Beckett calls out.

“Help!” I scream. I feel like I’m being ripped apart.

“Beverly!” Beckett yells.

We are not far from the rear entrance to The Book Coven. We saw the girls dip into the warmth of the shop a couple of minutes ago. Beckett tries to reach through the light to grab me, but he pulls back and yelps in pain. The light seems to burn him.

Beverly bursts through the door and runs toward us. Her hand is stretched out toward me. She says something, but I can’t make it out over my own screaming and a whooshing sound in my ears.

Suddenly, the light vanishes and I fall backward. My head thumps hard on the frozen ground.

“Cora! Cora!” Beckett says, appearing over me and shaking my arms. “Are you all right?”

I blink and shake my head to get rid of the stars I shouldn’t be seeing in the middle of the day. “I…I think so.”

“Cora,” Beverly says, dropping by my side and helping me sit up.

“What was that?” Beckett asks.

“What’s going on?” I see that Piper has come outside to, her arms around each of her girls.

“Nothing,” I say, not wanting to scare the children. “I’m fine. I’m fine.” I rub the back of my head, thankful it’s not bleeding. But there will probably be a lump. I try to stand up, but I feel woozy and would fall over if Beckett wasn’t there to catch me.

“Girls, go inside,” Beverly says. “Go make Aunty Cora some cocoa, will you?”

“Come along, girls,” Piper says, ushering the girls inside.

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