Page 38 of Ghostridden
“I’ll call you and Professor DeHaven. I promise.”
His smile was blinding. Yeah, Jerry was on to a good thing with his husband—although after meeting the doctor-turned-librarian, I was certain the reverse was also true. “Thank you. See you tomorrow.”
I whistled as I left the building and climbed into the Civic. I winced and slapped the steering wheel. “Ah, crap.”
I’d intended to ask Saul whether it was okay for me to walk across the grounds—it was practically a straight shot from my house to the Manor, albeit through some pretty dense woods. However, I wasn’t sure if that was allowed or if there was even a break in the fence that would let me enter without coming all the way around to the main gates, anyway. Even so, a nice brisk walk—as long as it wasn’t raining—would be a good way to start my new fitness regime.
“Cardio to go with the weights,” I muttered as I turned onto Main Street. “That’s a plan.”
Since I had to collect Gil from Sofia, I used the fob to open the garage and pull inside, but didn’t enter the house yet. Instead, I used the keypad to close the door and crossed the front lawn, gazing up through the unfurling maple leaves at the sky. I sniffed the air appreciatively. Clean and spring crisp, scented with damp earth and mown grass rather than car exhaust. Yeah, I could get used to small town living, if this was what it was like.
I mounted Sofia’s porch steps and knocked on her door. I heard footsteps approaching, but it wasn’t Sofia who opened the door.
“Ricky?” I said, a smile splitting my face. “What are you doing here?”
He shrugged, meeting my goofy smile with one of his own. “Tia needed some new blinds hung in the spare room.” He pushed open the screen door. “Come on in. Although I’ll warn you—you might not be able to pry her away from Gil. She’s fallen hard for him. Even made him her special cat treats.”
“In that case, I might not be able to pryhimaway fromher. The way to Gil’s heart is directly through his belly.” I walked inside and was immediately overcome by a heavenly aroma. “If that’s what her cat treats smell like, I might just wrestle Gil for them. Although he’d probably win.”
Ricky chuckled and gestured for me to follow him through a scrupulously clean living room smelling faintly of citrus and populated with overstuffed furniture in bright colors. “That’s her pozole. She baked the gatito galletas earlier.”
We entered the kitchen, a big, farmhouse-style room, its walls painted a cheery red with sunny yellow accents, hand-painted tiles featuring roosters and chickens marching along the backsplash. Gil was perched on a barstool, his head clearing the counter as he watched Sofia slice an avocado.
“Maz!” she cried. “You are just in time for dinner.”
“It smells amazing, Sofia, but I couldn’t impose.”
“Pffft.” She flapped her hands at me. “It is no imposition. Especially if you set the table and help Enrique wash up afterward.”
Ricky leaned over and stage whispered from behind his hand. “Resistance is futile.”
Sofia shook a finger at him. “Don’t be fresh, Enrique. Show Maz where the plates are and then pour the iced tea.”
“Yes, Tia,” he said humbly, but gave me a wink when he kissed her cheek.
Ricky pointed at a glass-fronted cupboard full of mugs and plates that matched the kitchen’s vibrant colors. I reached for them, but hesitated. “May I wash up first?”
“What a considerate boy. Of course.” She nodded toward the living room. “Enrique will show you where.”
He smiled wryly and led me back the way we’d come, to a powder room down the hall from the entry. He grimaced as he indicated the door. “Sorry. I know you wanted to go home tonight.”
“I just didn’t want to risk going to a restaurant when the chances were high I’d fall asleep in my plate. This is different. Trust me. I couldn’t be happier.”
His expression cleared. “Good. I’m glad.”
“Besides…” I winked as I pushed the door open. “I don’t want to offend my cat-sitter by refusing her hospitality. She might turn me down next time I need a Gil-watcher.”
He barked a laugh. “Not a chance,” he tossed over his shoulder as he walked back toward the kitchen. “She’ll be inviting him over without you before you know it.”
I washed up quickly and returned. “Just the three of us for dinner?” I asked as I opened the cabinet.
I caught an odd expression on Ricky’s face as Sofia turned to me. “Set the table for four, if you please. The big bowls.” She gave me a contented smile. “I always set a place for Guillermo, in case he should drop by.”
At Ricky’s subtle headshake, I forbore from blurting,But I thought he was at Harvard, and set four deep bowls on the crimson tablecloth. As we sat down, I noted that Gil had hopped onto the floor, where two matching dishes—one with water and one with what looked like minced chicken livers—were arrayed on a red and white gingham placemat. Yeah, clearly Gil was not suffering under Sofia’s care. I’d be lucky to lure him back home.
Sofia held out her hands to Ricky and me. Following his example, I took hers in one hand and Ricky’s in the other. “I must ask, Maz, although I mean no disrespect or intrusion. Are you of the Islam faith?”
“Er, no. My father’s family was Eastern Orthodox, but I’m kind of ath—” I caught that tiny shake of Ricky’s head again. “—aaagnostic.”
