Page 54 of Murder in the Lighthouse

She sputtered with laughter. “Something like that. How about another glass of wine? The explanation sounds better with wine.”

“Everything about Scott seems to go better with booze,” Jade reasoned as she followed Brogan into the kitchen.

“If you’re considering conjuring up a ghost, never leave out the booze,” Brogan advised as she opened another bottle of wine. “It helps bring the magic.”

“Magic or not, I still don’t want to spend the night in the guest house.”

“I’m surprised at you, Jade. Is Birk’s cynicism rubbing off on you? I thought you were comfortable with ghostly apparitions with unfinished business.”

“I’m comfortable with the concept. But for some reason, seeing him tonight gave me the willies.”

“You’re suggesting Scott’s haunting my guest house?”

“Your guest house, your backyard, and probably that strip of beach that connects to town. Everywhere you look in Pelican Pointe, there he is.”

“You’ve seen him?”

“Multiple sightings like everyone else. How many times would you say he’s been around here for you?”

“I’ve lost count. I don’t want him to go away. He looks after the town. At least he does when he isn’t scaring the bejesus out of people. But that’s to be expected from a ghost.”

“You’re being awfully nonchalant about this.”

Brogan slid onto a barstool at the counter. “I guess I am. Maybe he’s my guardian angel. It comforts me knowing he’s out there. If his presence spooks you, though, I’ll sleep downstairs tonight. I’ll be a bedroom away. But I assure you Scott isn’t the type to do harm to anyone. You’re in no danger from Scott.”

On the other side of the counter, Jade stood sipping her wine. “It isn’t that.”

“What are younottrying to tell me, Jade? What is this all about?”

“Seeing Scott reminded me about what I haven’t told Birk. I think Scott is hanging around bugging me because I’ve been keeping something back from Birk.”

“Uh-oh. What haven’t you told him?”

“He was such a doubting Thomas when we first met that I didn’t level with him about my paranormal experiences, not all of them anyway. Remember when he ridiculed Gemma Channing in Coyote Wells about her power stones?”

“Sure. I remember. I thought you guys got past all that. With you moving in together, I thought everything was fine. How many paranormal experiences have you had that he doesn’t know about?”

“Let’s just say you have your share of childhood angst, and I have mine.”

“Your childhood angst has everything to do with ghosts?”

“Not all ghosts are like Scott, benevolent. Or helpful like Patrick Swayze. Some are spiteful and malicious.”

“You sound like you speak from experience, so I’ll take your word for it. But what’s bothering you isn’t Scott. You don’t feel like you can be honest about this with Birk. Is that a fair statement?”

“I feel like a fraud.”

“You’re no such thing. You’re haunted by something from childhood. You need to explain it to the one person you love the most. But that comes with the fear he might ridicule you or judge you for whatever happened. That fear keeps you from telling him.”

“What would you do? What would Scott advise me to do?”

“He’d probably tell you to get it off your chest, and whatever happens, whatever Birk does or doesn’t do, you’ll get through it together.”

Jade nodded and drained her glass. “I’ll work up to it. I promise.”

“Do it sooner rather than later, or Scott will come knocking.”

18

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