Page 50 of Ghost Note

“So, is there anything I can help you both with today? Other than the bunny?” I asked, my voice aiming for casual and coming off squeaky.

“Actually, I was wondering if you could help me with something that you don’t stock on your shelves.”

I glanced up at her. “Like what?”

“Like some pictures of Danny with his parents, and maybe his gran, too.”

My hands froze in the basket. “Why would you want those?”

Jules stepped closer, her eyes knowing and her smile soft and sincere. “Because I’ve made it my job to make sure the boys don’t forget their roots while they’re out on the road, and sometimes I need visual aids to drill the point into their small, alcohol-fuelled brains.”

“They’re grown men. Surely they can look after themselves.”

“You’d think so, wouldn’t you? Unfortunately for me, rock stars are the last breed of men to grow up, and they need all the help they can get.”

“Is Danny in trouble often?”

“He happens to be one of my better clients… most of the time.”

I didn’t like the sound of the ‘most of the time’ she added to the end of that statement. “Then can’t you ask him for the pictures yourself?”

“I could, sure, but you and I both know that just because he’s one of the good ones, it doesn’t make him any less stubborn.” She hitched Corey up on her hip again, barely huffing out a breath from the weight of him. I guess that explained the toned arms. “It’s fine if you don’t want to help me. I understand that you don’t owe me anything, but if you don’t ask sometimes, you’ll never know, right?”

I started to unravel the bracelets, needing to get lost in a task. “I can… I mean… I could try to find something, but I’m not making any promises.”

“Trying would be perfect.”

“How long are you here for?” I glanced up to see her bouncing Corey now, who was getting a little fractious at our boring conversation.

“We leave when Danny leaves.”

“Is he under some kind of supervision?” I joked.

“Yes,” she answered flatly.

“Oh.” I was scowling again, desperate for this to be over, yet desperate to ask more questions.

“You want to know why, don’t you?”

“Maybe a little,” I confessed, cringing.

“Don’t be embarrassed. It’s natural to be inquisitive… or so all the parenting books tell me.” Jules gestured to the counter as though she wanted to sit Corey on top of it. “May I? Corey is heavier than he looks?”

“Sure.” I nodded and moved the basket out of the way for her to perch his nappy-padded bottom on the edge, her arm still around his body to hold him.

“Danny’s band were supposed to be heading to America this week for two nights in Las Vegas. When Danny got the call about his grandma’s sudden death, he ran away.”

“Ran away?”

“Yeah. He literally took off, and we couldn’t find him for four days. The gigs had to be cancelled. He’s cost the band a lot of money, upset a lot more fans, and the worst part is that he doesn’t seem sorry for it.”

“I thought you said he was the better behaved of your clients.”

“Oh, he is.” She smiled. “I live with Rhett Ryan. Everyone is a saint compared to him, so I’m well equipped to handle outbursts like Danny’s. And, I can’t say I blame him for taking off. The guy has lost everyone he loves in the last few years.”

“And gained everythinghe wanted in the process.”

“Has he?”

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