Page 68 of The Accidental Ghost

He pulled her into his embrace as she snuggled against his soggy jacket. “I don’t know. But I do know we’ll figure it out.”

His arms around her made her feel like that was true. “Do you like mustard on your cheeseburger?” she asked as she snuggled against his chest.

“That’s disgusting.” Shamus rumbled his disapproval. “I rescind my offer. If you’re going to deface a perfectly good cheeseburger with mustard, we can’t date.”

Grabbing his hands, she pulled him with her toward the end of the light with a laugh. “I bet I can change your mind,” she teased.

“I dunno, beautiful lady. Mustard’s a pretty serious felony in my book.”

“What about if I offer to share my bacon, huh? Hmmm, bacon.” She rubbed her belly.

Shamus barked a laugh. “Aha! Now we’re talking. I might have to reconsider. How about we go see what we can see?”

Ralph let him tuck her next to his side. “Let’s go see what we can see.”

As they strolled out of the light, Ralph smiled to herself, keeping her fingers crossed they’d see it together.

Epilogue

Six months later…

One psychopomp bookstore owner; a silver-haired fox of an elf/ghost hunter; a zombie who was in absolute heaven, now that he’d been offered a part-time position working for his favorite psychopomp; a beautiful vampire who volunteered to read to the children at story time, dressed as a fairy princess; a werewolf who played the part of her handmaid; a half-werewolf, half-vampire who loved alphabetizing and organization; a teddy bear of a demon who made the handsomest Prince Charming ever; a cute blue troll who didn’t have to dress up at all, but made the most scrumptious cookies ever; two guardian angels who’d offered to pet-sit a three-legged dog named Gloria, a blind beagle and a cat; and a completely unaware best friend, all gathered together on a warm summer day to celebrate the opening of Once Upon a Time Bookstore…

Ralph’s eyes went wide when she saw Nina in her royal-blue ball gown, her glorious black hair pulled up on the sides, with curls spilling down her back to her waist.

She gave her favorite vampire a huge hug and cooed, “You look beautiful! Man, you hit the gene pool lottery. I can’t thank you enough for doing this, Nina.”

Nina leaned into her, her eyes narrowed as her curls fell in her face. “Only for you, Glow Stick. This shit’s about as uncomfortable as an itchy butthole.”

Ralph clasped her hands together at her chest, admiring her friend’s gorgeousness. “But the children are going to love you! You look stunning. You know, I played a Disney princess at a theme park one summer in college. It was fun.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Why the fuck doesn’t that surprise me?”

Marty knocked her friend’s shoulder. “Stop complaining. Still can’t believe you didn’t ask me to be the princess. I’m the obvious choice,” Marty groused, but her smile was wide.

“Oh, c’mon,” Ralph teased, giving Marty a hug. “You have to admit, it’s much more fun to see Nina in this dress than it would have been if you’d worn it.”

Marty pulled at the strings of her deep sapphire-blue bodice and adjusted her pointy hat, a hennin, fluffing the tulle at the tip. “You’re right, seeing her stomp around like a wrestler in a dress is the very definition of fun.”

“Shut the fuck up, Ass-Sniffer. Now gimme another hug, Glow Stick,” she demanded, pulling Ralph into a warm embrace. “I gotta go sit on my throne.” Then she tipped her head back and laughed at her own joke as she made her way to the throne Shamus had built for the shop.

Wanda laughed, giving Ralph a squeeze. “Are you ready to open the doors yet?”

“I think so, and I can’t thank you guys enough for all the help. You’re the absolute best.”

Ralph looked around at all they’d accomplished in six months. Her store was perfect, wonderful, and it left her heart as full as the people who’d helped her put it all together.

Titus had called in a huge favor on her behalf. Not only with Michael, but her life. Because she wasn’t supposed to have been a ghost in the first place, he did something he called a mass memory wipe.

It was as though her murder had never happened. No news reports, no files at the police station, no midnight vigil, no murder…nothing.

When she’d next seen Hazel, after the fight that night in the light, it was as if they’d never parted. Hazel remained blissfully unaware, and for now, Ralph wanted to keep it that way. Her plate was full, and Titus insisted she never had to tell Hazel if she didn’t want to, but somehow, she thought eternal life might be a dead giveaway.

And she’d be eternally grateful to Titus for restoring that life.

Maybe someday she’d reveal all. For now, she was simply happy to see her friend, have lunch, chat on Zoom.

Michael was in a recovery program upstairs and doing well, and while he’d never spend a moment free, or get wings, he looked healthier, he was productive, and he seemed at peace, and that was the best she could ask.

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