Page 12 of Ghosts From Christmas Past

Melissa smiled sympathetically. “That’s okay. Jesse—my husband—told me your memory was a bit fuzzy.”

Charlie frowned. “Who is Jesse?”

Melissa’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry. Of course, you don’t remember. Jesse and you were good friends growing up. He’s carried your picture in his wallet all these years to never forget that the killer is still out there on the loose. Jesse is one of Dylan’s deputies,” she added when Charlie appeared confused.

Jesse worked with Dylan. She couldn’t believe he’d carried her photo all these years. “That’s so sweet. I wish I could remember him and you. Anything.” She stopped and regrouped. “Sorry, would you like to sit for a moment?” She pointed to one of the chairs.

“Of course.” Melissa sat and then glanced at the yearbook she’d been browsing. “I see you’re going through our old yearbooks.” She opened the book Charlie closed and paged through it until she found what she was looking for. She turned it to face Charlie. “Can you believe I wore that hairstyle?” She made a face, and Charlie smiled at the layers and bangs Melissa sported in the book.

Charlie liked the woman immediately. “Oh, I don’t know, your picture looks nice to me. You were the grade below Dylan and me?” she tried hard to pull the hovering memory free.

“That’s right.” She flipped a couple of pages. “You two were always close. Everybody knew that—” Melissa stopped herself as if she’d been about to say something she wasn’t supposed to. “You always looked amazing,” she amended and handed the yearbook to Charlie. “I was always so jealous of your beautiful black hair. So long and silky. With your eye color, it made you look exotic.”

What had Melissa left unsaid? Charlie couldn’t help but believe it was important. She stared at the picture of herself captured in time. It was her junior year. Her hair hung to her waist, just like it did now. She didn’t have a single bit of makeup on. Her eyes were shining with happiness. The future wide-open. Filled with promise. What had she been thinking that day?

Melissa stood. “I don’t want to take up too much of your time. Dr. Montgomery warned me not to tire you out too much. I just wanted to stop by and say hello and tell you that I’m thinking about you. And—” She set a bag down on the bed. “I figured you’d need some decent clothes to wear, and we used to be about the same size. I brought you some of my things.”

Charlie couldn’t believe this woman’s kindness. “I don’t know what to say. That’s awfully sweet of you.”

Melissa’s gaze softened. “Nonsense. You are I are friends as well. They’re yours to keep. Maybe once you’re feeling better, we can go shopping. There’s not a lot of options in Bitter Creek, but I’m sure we can find something.”

Charlie smiled at the younger woman. “I’d like that. Thank you.”

Melissa leaned over and hugged her. “I’m glad you’re back. We’ve all missed you a lot. I’ll see you soon,” she said and then with a final wave, she left the room.

Charlie stared at the photo of herself once more. What would the younger her have said if she’d known the fate that waited for her just one year later?

???

Two men spoke outside her room. Charlie recognized Dr. Montgomery’s voice. The second voice was slightly familiar.

More conversation followed and then Dr. Montgomery entered with the room with another man dressed in a deputy’s uniform.

“Charlie, this is Deputy Walker. He’s another one of your classmates. Jesse has been a frequent visitor here as well as his wife, Melissa, whom you met earlier. He’s going to stay with you for a while until Dylan arrives.”

Charlie glanced between the two men and noticed their worried expressions. “Has something happened?”

Deputy Walker stepped close to her bedside. “Hi, Charlie. I know you don’t remember me, but you and I and Dylan used to hang out together growing up. Dylan asked me to stop by and wait with you until he arrives. He can explain more once he’s here.”

Deputy Walker wasn’t telling her everything.

Dr. Montgomery faced Jesse. “I’ll be in my office if you need me. Charlie, I will see you soon.” With a smile for her, he left the two alone.

While all sorts of possibilities raced through her head, all unwelcome, she struggled to find something to say to this man who had once been her friend. “I’m sorry that I don’t remember you.”

Jesse’s dark brows shot up and he smiled an easy smile. “Hey, it’s okay. I don’t expect you to.” He sat in the chair that his wife had used earlier and noticed the photos she’d been looking through before he came in. She’d put the yearbooks away and gone back to the photos because they seemed more personal. Yet so far, nothing had returned.

Jesse picked up one of the photos of Charlie and Dylan, taken all those years ago and chuckled at the two of them. “You guys always were attached at the hip. No one ever doubted you’d end up together.” He stopped speaking when he saw her surprise. What he said came close to what his wife had hinted at earlier. “Sorry, what I meant was you were good friends.” He tried to cover up what he’d said, but Charlie sensed there had been something more between her and Dylan at one time.

“You and Dylan are still good friends?” she asked when the silence became awkward.

“Yes, we are.” She liked the way Jesse smiled with his entire face. “Dylan’s a good guy. And he’s been so worried about you. All of us have been.”

Purposeful footsteps headed their way. Charlie’s attention went to the door.

Jesse rose as Dylan came into the room.

“I see you’ve met Jesse,” he said with a smile for his friend. “Don’t believe everything he tells you.”

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