Chapter 14
Dallas sat on Daddy’s knee as he read a Halloween book to her. She was completely engrossed in the rhyming story about green glowing eyes and floating ghosties. The theme of the book went perfectly with her new glow-in-the-dark skeleton jammies.
Dallas clapped when the book ended. “Again, Daddy!”
Pike laughed. “Well, I can read it again, but I think I have something much more exciting for us to do.”
“You do?” Dallas asked, turning on his lap to face him.
“Daddy learned something new today.”
“In your class?” Dallas was so happy for Daddy. He was already so very smart, but he still loved learning new things.
“Yes. Some of the grown-ups were talking after our class was over and I learned about The Ghost Host!”
“The Ghost Host?”
“Yes, it’s a little bit like Elf on the Shelf, but for Halloween.
We can write a letter to the Spirit World and leave out cookies and milk, and the Spirit World will send you a ghost to host for the month of October.
Since we’ve invited the ghost into our home—or room in this case—the ghost is allowed to try anything you leave them.
Food, clothes, games, all of the fun things from the human world.
You have to leave it out for them at bedtime and they will come try it while you’re sleeping.
If you try to peek though, the ghostie will go back to the Spirit World.
He can’t be seen. In gratitude for hosting them, the ghostie will leave you Halloween goodies.
I know we're already three weeks into Halloween, but I’m sure the Spirit World will understand our tardiness,” Pike explained.
Eyes growing wide, Dallas leaned forward, hanging on to every word Pike said.
“Is that something you would like to do, Bitty Baby?”
Dallas nodded so hard she thought her noggin might for really fall off. “Yas, Daddy! I wanna host a ghostie!”
Daddy gripped her chin, probably to stop her from hurting her ouchie more. “I thought you might like to. Why don’t we go work on your letter for the Spirit World right now?”
Dallas climbed from Daddy’s lap, but before she could run away into the kitchen, he grabbed her. “Carefully, Bitty. You have to remember your head.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
She held Teefs patiently while she and Daddy slowly—oh so slowly—walked into the kitchen. He lifted her into her highchair and buckled the tray in place. Grabbing the crayons from her gift basket from the Caterpillar Room, he set them and some blank white paper on the tray with her and Teefs.
“What should I say, Daddy?”
“I think you should list all of the reasons you’d be a great host. You’re kind, good at sharing, love spooky things, and you’re a good girl, so you’d never try and peek.”
“I would never peek, Daddy.” Dallas promised with her whole heart.
“I know. That’s why you’d be such a good host!”
Dallas nodded and went to work creating the prettiest, most welcoming invitation for the ghostie. This was so exciting. She was so glad that Daddy had gone to his class and learned about this new, fun adventure.
Dallas worked on her picture diligently while Daddy kept a watchful eye on her. “I all done, Daddy,” she said.
“Let me see what my best girl created,” Daddy said, taking the letter from her. “This is beautiful, Bitty. I’m sure you’ll have ghosts fighting to let you host them!”
Clapping her hands together, she bounced in her seat.
“How will I know if they pick me, Daddy?”
“They will leave you a special gift by your letter and we will see it in the morning when you get up.”
Dallas nodded. “That makes lots of sense.”
Daddy smiled, pressed a kiss to her forehead, and lifted her and Teefs from the highchair.
She yawned and he chuckled. “Daddy’s sleepy too, Bitty. It’s been a busy day.”
Dallas looped her arms around him and snuggled into his hard body while he made her a bottle. It only took a few minutes of rocking in the wooden rocking chair before she dozed off in his arms, dreaming of ghostie adventures.
Dallas woke and snuggled deeper into Daddy’s big body. It was chilly and Daddy was so warm. It only took her a second to remember Host a Ghost. Sitting up, she patted Daddy’s chest. “Daddy? Daddy!”
Daddy startled and sat up. “What is it, Bitty? Does your head hurt?”
He grabbed for his phone and she put her hand over the bright screen, not wanting him to panic. She’d kinda forgotten about her ouchie.
“No, Daddy. I wanna see if a ghostie picked me.”
Daddy laughed and laid back down. “Baby girl, it’s 3 am. The ghosties are still choosing.” He pulled her into his arms and she laid back down.
“What time will they choose, Daddy?”
He kissed the back of her head and not for the first time she found herself thankful for his patience.
“I’m not sure, baby, but I think it has to be daytime before we can check. I heard they’re allowed to roam the house until the sky wakes up.”
Oh. That made sense.
Dallas relaxed against Daddy and he rubbed her back. Despite her excitement, she found her eyes growing heavy and she gave into slumber.
The second time she woke, the sky was awake and the room was filled with soft light. She struggled to free herself from Daddy’s arms. He chuckled behind her. “Come on, Daddy!”
He let her go and she climbed off the big bed and rushed to the bedroom door. She knew not to leave the room without him, but that didn’t keep her from hopping in place as she waited on him.
“Bitty Baby, be mindful of your head,” he corrected gently. She stopped bouncing and stood on her tippy toes instead.
When he took her hand, she practically dragged him into the small kitchen space. Squealing, she pointed to her highchair tray where something in cellophane wrapping sat with a beanie boo and a letter. “A message!”
Daddy plucked them from the top of the highchair and handed the beanie boo and the cellophane bundle to her.
“A spooky cookie!” she said, thrusting it at Daddy. “And a skeleton!” She hugged the beanie boo to her chest.
He looked the package over. “Wow! A kitty cat spooky cookie!”
“Do you think that means I got picked?”
“I think it’s a good sign,” he said, opening her letter and reading it out loud.
Dear Dallas,
Thank you for contacting the Spirit World and offering to host a ghost. We have reviewed your letter with the council and decided you would be a lovely host. After screening, we have decided your Ghost will be Niki Rope and her ghost pet, Danica.
Niki was a cowgirl in her past life and was very skilled with roping naughty steers.
Niki is a very naughty ghost and is always causing chaos in the Spirit World, so we wish you the best of luck while hosting.
There are a few things we would like you to know about Niki Rope and Danica before your first night with them.
Niki loves pickles and would prefer them over cookies.
She identifies as a sadist ghost, although we think she may be the kindest ghost we have despite her pranks, so we feel she is having some ghost identity confusion—surprisingly, is it very common in the afterlife. Her favorite color is purple.
Danica is a kitty cat. She loves Swedish fish and gummy bears, and she is equally as naughty as her owner, and just as kindhearted.
As Pike read, Dallas listened super carefully, not wanting to miss any information.
We hope the three of you have the best Halloween together.
We want to remind you that part of your agreement is your commitment to respect Niki and Danica’s privacy.
No matter how much fun you all may be having, if you try and video, photograph, or even sneak a peek at Niki Rope or Danica, we will have to end your hosting contract and call them back to the Spirit World.
We believe that you are a good girl and do not believe this will be a problem for you.
If you have any questions, you can leave a note out for Niki and she will answer you.
Happy Halloween!
Host a Ghost, LLC.
“I got two ghosties, Daddy!” she exclaimed, dancing foot to foot.
“You did! I’m not surprised though. You’re going to be the best host!”
“We need to go shopping to get some fings for Niki and Danica, Daddy.”
Daddy nodded. “Do you think you should make a list before we go to breakfast?”
“Yas, huh, Daddy. Do you fink that’s why they gave me a cookie wif a kitty on it? Cause of Danica?”
“I think so! That’s so exciting!”
“So ‘citing. I needa make a list!”
“Do you need to use your diaper first?”
She flushed and nodded.
Daddy pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You go ahead and go wait by your changing table and I’ll get some paper and crayons set up for you on the bathroom floor. You can work on your list while Daddy showers.”
“Fank you, Daddy. For alla this. The vacation to the Ranch, making hard choices for me, letting me host a ghostie, alla it.”
Dallas had always known she was so lucky to have Daddy, but it didn’t stop her from being amazed with him sometimes.