Dead and Gone by Angela M Hudson

Author:Angela M Hudson [Hudson, Angela M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oakland Press
Published: 2016-11-22T05:00:00+00:00

Old Wounds Tear Open

Ali could think of several things she’d rather be doing on Thanksgiving Eve, and none of them involved running a charity cake stall at the freezing Town Fair. And, despite that, being there beside Sam, watching him smile and talk and interact with humans, she couldn’t think of anywhere she’d rather be.

“What are you doing for Thanksgiving tomorrow, petal?” Di asked, leaving her own stall for a moment.

“Um, I don’t know.” Ali looked at Sam, waiting for him to chime in. He noticed, but didn't say anything.

“Well, you’re welcome to come to my house. Both of you,” she added, including Sam.

“Thanks, Di,” Sam said, handing a customer his order. “But I’ve got a pretty big bird in the fridge and some new recipes I wanna try out. Maybe next time?”

“Sure.” She winked at Ali. “What about you, petal?”

Sam glanced back and actually stopped what he was doing for a moment, waiting for her response.

“Um.” Ali wanted to have dinner with Sam, but she wasn’t sure he wanted her to. He’d been distant since she saw the ghost—as if maybe the memory of his wife had surfaced now and he felt uncomfortable laughing and talking with her if Sarah might see. Even as they baked cookies all yesterday and last night, Sam wasn’t as open and lighthearted as he usually was when they cooked together.

“It’s probably not as elaborate as Di’s dinner,” Sam finally chimed in, scratching the back of his neck, “but I’ll be making enough for two.”

Ali grinned, as did Di, both of them getting the exact answer they’d been hoping for.

“Well, you two kids have a good weekend then,” Di said, fighting hard to hide her joy. Even as she sat back down at her own stall across from theirs, the hope that Sam might finally be happy with this new girl filled out her smile. She waved at the pair and Ali waved back, but Sam just groaned and took another order.

“I think she thinks we’re a couple,” Ali offered, coming to stand uncomfortably close to Sam so she could whisper it.

“I’m starting to think everyone does.” He raised his brows, hinting with a nod, but Ali didn't catch on, so he grabbed her cheeks and turned her to face the front of the stall. She noticed it then—how many heads parted from their whispered conversations.

“Oh.” She laughed. “We’re the talk of the town.”

Sam wiped his hands on a towel and threw it down on the counter. “Why can’t people just mind their own business?”

“I dunno.” Ali moved one shoulder up shyly. “I think it’s sweet.”

“It’s dangerous.” He turned away and sat down. “Gossip never leads to anything good.”

“I don't see how discussing the Town Cranky Pants and the Helpless Newcomer can end the world.”

He raised a brow at her, his face half lit with a smile. “Town Cranky Pants?”

Ali grinned. “You could stand to be a bit more approachable.”

Clearing his throat, he sat back and propped his feet up on her chair, making it impossible for her to sit down.

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