Page 26 of Ghostlighted
Then I set my phone aside and focused on flirting with Ricky for the rest of the ride.
It was almost five when we pulled into Ghost and I sighed with contentment. “Home at last, and this time the journey was much more pleasant since it wasn’t accompanied by Gil yowling in protest all the way from Portland.”
Ricky chuckled. “I’m glad I rate higher than Gil as a conversationalist, then.”
I smirked at him as he turned onto Iris Lane. “You have your moments.”
He slowed as we approached my house and pulled up to the curb, although he didn’t turn off the engine. “It’ll make it easier for us to unload if you move your sorry excuse for a car so I can back the truck in.”
“Careful.” I stuck my nose in the air. “Keep up the insults and it might refuse to share its cozy garage.”
His laughter followed me when I hopped out of the truck. We played car lotto for a few minutes—I moved my car to the street so Ricky could back up the drive and into the garage. I was delayed getting back to the truck because my driver’s side door decided to resist closing more than usual.
“Stop that,” I muttered as I braced my feet and shoved. “You’re making us look bad.”
With a lastscreech-groanof protest, the door slammed shut.
And the wheel center cap promptly fell off.
I glanced around furtively, and since I wasn’t about to try opening the door again, I kicked it into the gutter to worry about later. Splaying my palm on the windshield, I whispered, “I won’t tell if you don’t.”
Chapter Nine
“You’re really good at this,” I puffed as I hauled the last box, which seemed to contain bricks, up the stairs to my bedroom.
Ricky wasn’t even breathing hard. He swung his box off his shoulder and thumped it down just inside the bedroom door. “I’ve had lots of practice carting things up and down these stairs. Tia’s too.” He flashed me a grin. “Let’s just say I’ve never needed to hit a StairMaster.”
I set my box down with a relieved huff and straightened, pressing my hands to my lower back. “In case I haven’t mentioned it before? I really appreciate your help.”
His gaze locked with mine. “It’s my pleasure.”
It suddenly struck me that we were inmy bedroom. And thatmy bedwasright there. I took a step forward. Ricky matched me. But before we moved any closer, there was achink-chink-chinkfrom the stairs, followed by the thud of furry paws galloping down from the attic.
An orange blur flashed by the door and I heard the telltale skitter of Gil batting something along the hardwood floor.
I raised my palms. “I’d better go see what he’s stolen from poor Avi.”
Ricky gestured to the door. “After you.”
Just as I stepped out of the room, I heard a distant brightclink. Gil was standing with his head poked through the balusters, staring down into the entryway.
“Lost it already, big guy?” I ran my fingers down Gil’s spine as I passed him. “I really hope you didn’t break anything irreplaceable, or Avi won’t be friends with you anymore.” Although considering Avi’s short list of available friends, I suspected he’d cut Gil considerable slack.
“Trouble?” Ricky asked, appearing by my side.
“Gil being Gil. Just need to assess for any necessary damage control.” I peered over the railing. I didn’t see anything obvious, and Avi hadn’t made an outraged appearance with attendant flying paper, so I trotted down the stairs, with Gil dashing along at my side.
He, of course, made a fast break at the foot of the stairs, darting in front of my feet and making me clutch at the banister to keep from taking a header onto the floor. Ricky gripped my other arm.
“Steady, there.”
I met his gaze. I wasn’t sure Icouldbe steady with him touching me, but I managed to croak, “Thanks.” Then he released me.Dammit. “I, um, better go see what he’s got.”
While we’d paused on the stairs, Gil had already chased his treasure out of the vestibule and into the family room. His head was under the sofa, his butt in the air, and his tail waving. I hauled him out.
“That’ll be enough from you, Mister Sir.” I held him out to Ricky. “Could you contain him for a couple of minutes while I conduct some reconnaissance?”
“No problem. Come here, gatito.” Ricky scooped Gil into his arms and flipped him upside down. Gil didn’t struggle in Ricky’s grasp—understandable, since I wouldn’t either—but he cranedhis neck to peer down at the floor, pupils blown into perfect black circles.
