Page 58 of My Blind Date is a Ghost

“It’s just unbelievable,” Cora says. “What did I ever do to her?”

“Some people are just that petty,” Beverly says.

“What were you trying to do?” Jacob asks Hailey. “You said that Cora would have the energy you needed. Needed for what?”

“We were trying to bring Elizabeth back,” Hailey admits. “She was more powerful than all of us combined.”

Beverly thumps the back of Hailey’s head. “You idiot. No wonder the two of you are married. Two stupid idiots.”

“Alright,” I say. “That’s enough. All of you, upstairs.”

The Clarke clan marches upstairs, with Jacob, Sophia, and Beverly keeping a close eye on them.

“I’m sorry all this happened to you,” I say to Cora.

She shrugs. “I’m not sure what to think. I feel terrible. I thought Elizabeth and I were friends, best friends. But she cursed me and had me killed to steal my husband.” She shakes her head. “But, in the end, it was her curse that brought me back to life. Gave me a second chance.”

“He wasn’t much of a husband to steal anyway,” I say. “He killed his wife. He was a failed politician.”

Cora gives a small bark of a laugh. “I suppose I should thank Elizabeth.”

“For what?” I ask.

Cora wraps my arms around her waist. “For giving me a chance at finding you.”

I pull her close and kiss her soft lips. Thanks, Elizabeth, indeed.

EPILOGUE

“It is my pleasure,” the judge at the podium says, “to present this official pardon for Jeremiah Holland to his descendants.”

I clap, along with everyone else at the ceremony. Rachel approaches the stage and shakes the judge’s hand as she accepts the framed pardon. Then Rachel approaches the podium.

“I wish to thank everyone who made this possible,” she says. “But especially Cora Barnes. Cora never held any malice toward Jeremiah or our family for her death, even though for over two hundred years, she, like so many other people, thought that Jeremiah was responsible for her death. Cora has shown great grace toward those who would wish her harm. Her kindness and open heart led to finding out the truth about her death and the unwarranted death of my misunderstood ancestor.

“Today, let this serve as a reminder to everyone that even if justice is delayed, it will never go unserved.”

We all clap again. My own heart feels lighter knowing that Jeremiah has received justice today.

The judge thanks Rachel for her words and reminds everyone about the official funeral that will be held tomorrow and city picnic to be held afterward.

“Thank you for your kind words,” I tell Rachel after the ceremony, and not for the first time. Rachel and I have spoken many times since we found out the truth about what happened to me, and if anything, she is the one who has shown kindness and grace.

“Thank you, again, for speaking up and making sure Jeremiah received a pardon,” she says. “This will go a long way toward healing some of the…animosity between the witches and werewolves of Mystic Cove.”

“I can only hope so,” I say. “I hope Jeremiah is resting in peace.”

“I’m sure he is,” she says. “But you’d be the one to know, right?”

I look around, but I don’t see any ghosts here today. “Thankfully, he’s never appeared to me. I can only hope that means that he is wherever he is meant to be.”

“Indeed,” she says before moving off to talk to other guests.

“Hmm,” Beckett says, approaching me. “Does this mean we have to put ‘diplomat’ on your tombstone when you die again? Or something more grand like, ‘healer of rifts’.”

“Hopefully we won’t have to decide on that for a very long time,” I say, reaching out and taking his hand.

“How are you feeling?” he asks.

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