Walk of the Spirits by Richie Tankersley Cusick

Author:Richie Tankersley Cusick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2010-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

17

WHEN MIRANDA MET GAGE AFTER SCHOOL, she found the whole group waiting there with him.

"Gage said y’all were going to the museum,” Ashley announced. “So it only makes sense for all of us to go.”

“Yeah, you two didn’t want to be alone, did you?” Roo shot Gage a sly glance, hiding a smile as he looked away.

Ashley tugged excitedly on Miranda’s arm. “Then we can research our Ghost Walk and Nathan’s ghost at the same time!”

They headed toward the Brickway, while Ashley systematically checked off topics in her notebook.

“Okay, here’s how we figured things out. Are y’all listening?”

Parker instantly looked suspicious. “Who figured what things out?”

“Parker, were you paying any attention in class when I handed in our outline? Research for the project, of course. And who else would do it? Gage and I always do all the work.”

“Not true.” Roo frowned. “I contributed.”

“You criticized. And complained. A lot.” Not bothering to hide her annoyance, Ashley continued down her list. “I’ll take the courthouse.”

“No, I want the courthouse,” Parker insisted. “I’m all into that evil judge.”

“This is not about your father. You take the museum.”

Incredulous, Parker gaped at her. “My mom works there!”

“I know your mom works there. That’s why we gave it to you. You won’t even have to do anything—just ask your mom about stuff.”

“No. No way I’m working with her.”

“Oh, fine then, Parker. Just fine. You can take Grace Church.”

“Hell, no!”

“Just give him the courthouse,” Roo spoke up. “Maybe that curse’ll rub off on him and he’ll hang himself.”

“Then I’ll do the museum.” Ashley’s sigh was exasperated. “Roo wants the doctor’s house. And the library-funeral parlor.”

Glancing at Ashley, Parker feigned amazement. “Don’t you ever find this disturbing? That your sister’s so obsessed with dead things?”

“Why should it?” Roo threw back at him. “She goes out with you, doesn’t she?”

Ashley doggedly kept on. “Gage said he’d do Grace Church.”

“Way to go, Gage!” Parker clapped Gage hard on the shoulder. “Who’s Grace Church?”

“Parker Wilmington, nobody here thinks you’re funny.”

“Come on, Ash, admit it. Everybody here thinks I’m kind of funny—”

“Etienne’s going to find out stuff about voodoo. Oh, and Roo and I are going to research that little boy who died at the feed store. And Miranda gets Magnolia Gallery—but of course we’ll all help her with that. And . . . and I guess that’s about it.”

“Damn.” Parker did his best to sound disappointed. “I was hoping for a whole lot more.”

Nodding sympathetically, Roo swept him with solemn eyes. “How sad. That’s exactly what Ashley always says about you.”

“Oh, except for this other idea I had.” Ashley glanced hopefully around the group. “Instead of calling it Ghost Walk, why don’t we call it something else?”

“Great idea.” Parker was adamant. “Why don’t we call it off ?”

“How about”—Ashley paused dramatically, her eyes sparkling—“Walk of the Spirits?”

As everyone traded glances, Gage repeated it several times out loud. “Yeah. I like it.”

“Me, too,” Miranda spoke up. “I think it’s good.”

“I think it’s romantic,” Ashley sighed. “Walk of the Spirits . . .

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