Page 50 of The Ghost and the Graveyard (Knight Games 1)
"I did a load of laundry too," his disembodied voice said. I couldn't make him out at all.
"Logan, you don't have to do my cooking or my cleaning." A pang of guilt cut through me for treating him like a spectral slave.
"It gives me something to do."
I smiled in the direction I thought he was in. "I appreciate it. I can't cook, and I'm a shitty housekeeper."
"There's a way you can pay me back."
"How?"
"Stay away from the caretaker."
Shaking my head, I said, "You never quit."
"The caretaker is dangerous for you, Grateful."
"So you keep telling me." I dropped my fork and checked the time. "Shit, I've gotta get ready for work." I lifted the plate to clear the table.
"Leave that for me. Go ahead. Get outta here."
"Thanks, Logan." I grabbed my keys and took him up on his offer to clean up.
* * * * *
The hospital where I work is thirty minutes from Red Grove. I hopped into my Jeep and peeled out of the driveway, hoping I could still make my shift on time. The sight of Rick painting the cemetery fence shirtless had me slamming on the brakes before I could say "gonna be late."
"I hoped I would catch you this morning," Rick called, dropping the paintbrush into the pan at his feet and walking toward me. "Would you have dinner with me tonight?"
I was having trouble concentrating. The memory of my dream from that morning was fresh in my mind. My body responded just thinking about it.
Rick stopped a few feet from me and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath. Fast as the flutter of hummingbird wings, he was leaning in my window.
"How did you do that?" I asked.
"Do what?"
"Move so quickly just now?"
"If I was quick, it was for good reason. A man should never keep a beautiful woman waiting."
My cheeks blazed.
"Dinner tonight?" he asked again. He licked his full lips.
My mouth began to form the word yes, but I caught myself. Warnings buzzed in my head. Rick was dangerous. I needed to slow things down. "I think I need to catch up on some sleep."
His eyes narrowed. "You're having trouble sleeping? I have some herbs-"
"No," I said too quickly. I shook my head and smiled. "I'm fine, really. I've just been distracted with the move and everything. Haven't got to bed at a decent hour." And hell if I was going to invite another foot-stink bouquet into my residence.
He nodded, but the twist of his mouth told me he didn't quite believe my excuse.
I couldn't tell him about Logan. Not only would it potentially mark me as a lunatic, but I had a strong gut feeling that I shouldn't. "How about Friday night?" I countered.
"When can I expect you?"
"I get off at seven," I said. "I can be there around eight."
