Page 68 of Amber Gambler

Right then, I would have punched Ian in the face, no matter our age difference.

“I have a couple of friends I’m teaching to read.” I scooched closer, voice soft like I was sharing a secret. “They’re ghosts, but they’re nice ghosts. Three boys. They’re about your age.” I retreated to give her space. “You could join us for lessons. Maybe with you around, they’ll pay attention. They’re bad about tricking me into reading stories instead of doing their homework, though.”

“You teach ghosts to read?” She hauled herself up until she was leaning into the truck. “For real?”

A snort that bordered on a laugh erupted in the front seat, reminding her Harrow was there.

“Yes.” I acted fast to reclaim her attention. “I do.”

“Ian wouldn’t allow it.” She slid down until I only saw the top of her head. “I’m already in trouble.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt.” I resisted the urge to reach for her. “Just keep it in mind, okay?”

“I will.” She peeped up at me, sucking on her bottom lip. “Did you really talk to Farah?”

“I did.” I read the tattered edges of her grief. “Do you know what happened to her?”

“The Gillie Girls went down to the river, but she didn’t come back.”

“You’re not a Gillie Girl?”

“No.” Her disgust was plain. “I’m just a dumb human.”

The way she saiddumb humantold me plenty about what nickname the others had given her.

“You were smart enough to sneak out and not get caught.” I dialed up my grin. “That seems pretty smart to me.” I could tell she didn’t believe me, but she wanted to. Badly. “You and Farah were close?”

“She didn’t let the other kids hit or kick me. She made sure I ate once a day and got a bath every week.”

The crack in my heart spread until I was shocked neither she nor Harrow heard it shattering.

“I know where she’s staying, if you want to visit her.” The offer popped out of my mouth, and I regretted it as tears swam in Little’s eyes. “You won’t be able to see her, but I can pass messages for you both.”

“That would be…” She pushed her shoulders back. “How much will it cost?”

“No charge.” I could tell she didn’t believe me. “Farah is helping me find who killed her, so I owe her.”

“Okay.” Her posture didn’t soften. “When can we go?” She rose on her tiptoes. “Now?”

“Ghosts only come out after dark.” I noticed Carter emerge from the store from the corner of my eye. “If you want, you can hang out with me until then. Farah is at Bonaventure. You know where that is, right?”

“Everybody knows Bonaventure.” She rubbed her pale eyes, reminding me she was up past her bedtime. “I have to work tonight.”

“I’ll make you a deal.” I spoke over her protest. “My sister is in her garden today, and she needs help. She’ll pay you the same as she pays anyone who helps with planting. That should cover your take.”

“I don’t know how to garden.”

“I didn’t either until she taught me.”

“What if the seeds I plant die? Will she be mad at me?”

“No matter what you do, she can fix it with her magic. Trust me. I’m a gardening disaster.”

Mostly because I snacked my way through my chores on her apples, pears, and whatever else was ripe.

“Okay.” She screwed up her courage. “Can I get a ride to your house?” Her pride hurt to witness. “I can walk if you don’t want me in your truck. It’ll just take me a while.”

Throat closing over all the things I wanted to say, I settled on, “Of course you can get a ride.”

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