Chapter 7
Lucy felt the man’s presence again. Not only did she know someone was in the room with her; she knew it was the ghost who had harassed her before. When Jesse was still a ghost, she always knew when he was near even when he was invisible. She could feel his warmth and love when he was close by.
Now she felt a heavy sense of dread.
“I know you’re here,” Lucy said as she continued filling the salt and pepper shakers in the empty dining room of the restaurant. “And I know who you are, Ellis.”
Lucy jumped as Ellis faded into view. His black hat was so large that it obscured his face when he looked down. He lifted his head and peered at her with those creepy dark eyes of his.
“What I don’t know is why you’re bothering me and why you felt the need to touch me like you did,” she said, her anger flaring when she remembered how he had put his hands on her breasts. She was shy and protective of her body. No one but Jesse had permission to touch her there.
“Women are nothin’ but cheap whores. You all deserve to be grabbed like that. That’s all you’re good for,” Ellis said gruffly.
Lucy rolled her eyes, doing her best not to show that he was getting to her. She pictured Jesse’s gentle face and was grateful that her boyfriend was kind and respectful of women.
“You don’t think you’re a slut?” he asked.
Hardly. She’d only been with two men, which was beside the point. It didn’t matter if she’d been with dozens of men. Who was this guy to pass judgment on how she lived her life? Lucy kept her expression steady and refused to answer him.
“I know what a whore you are. I saw you that night on top of the bar downstairs.”
Lucy froze.
When he was still a ghost, Jesse had fallen in love with her as he watched her work in the tavern day after day.
He once confessed his private fantasy of having sex with her on the bartop.
When he was alive again, she had taken him to the restaurant after hours and they’d made love on top of the bar just as he had fantasized.
It had been the most exciting, satisfying sexual experience she had ever had.
It was a special memory she held in her heart, and she thought of Jesse every time she passed by that bartop when she was at work.
Ellis must have been there that night. Invisible. Watching.
A wave of humiliation and revulsion crashed over Lucy. Jesse had insisted that she keep her clothes on the whole time, just in case anyone walked in on them. Ellis might not have seen her naked, but he had watched her during one of the most intimate moments of her life.
Lucy tentatively glanced at him, and he laughed derisively.
“Thought you two were alone, now, didn’t ya? Didn’t feel my presence then, did ya? You were too busy feeling Jesse’s cock in your—”
“Stop it!” Lucy cried. “Why are you saying these horrible things?”
“Because you’re a cheap slut just like every other woman I’ve ever known.
‘Cept you’re worse because you think you’re so sweet and pure.
You’re not.” Ellis laughed again, an awful, scornful sound.
He drifted closer to her and leaned in. “I saw you, Lucy. I saw you spread your legs for him. I heard you scream his name when he made you—”
“Stop it!”
“Well at least your cowboy’s a good lover, judgin’ by the way you kept hollerin’ his name. Hope that made it worth what happened to you at Devil’s Den. You screamed a lot that day I hear, but I don’t think you was havin’ much fun that time.”
“How do you know about that?” Lucy asked, horrified.
Her natural sensitivity to the paranormal came at a price, and she had suffered a rare phenomenon at Devil’s Den.
If she stood on a battlefield where a soldier had died, someone she had some connection to, she would feel their mortal wounds.
She had experienced the agony of Jesse’s excruciating death that day, when he was still a spirit and could do nothing to save her.
It wasn’t Jesse’s fault, but he still blamed himself for what happened to her.
“I hang around. I hear things. Everybody knows what happened to you. And now you know how bad it hurt when Jesse died. Lord, how he must’ve suffered. Prob’ly still has nightmares about it. Goddamn Reb. He deserved to suffer. I’d’a killed him myself if I’d had the chance.”
Tears spilled from Lucy’s eyes as she let out a choked sob. She was about to run downstairs to reach the safety of her coworkers, but Ellis let out another taunting laugh and then floated out of the room.
Lucy let out a deep but shaky sigh. She looked around the room and she could feel he wasn’t just invisible; he was gone.
Lucy covered her eyes and wept harder.
* * *
Avery floated down the street, invisible, and in a happy daze.
Being with Remy had lifted his spirits so high that he didn’t think he’d ever felt more alive, even when he was still living.
He had loved watching her give her tour presentation.
She was masterful, knowledgeable, yet sweet and approachable.
Remy was like a movie star, and he had been dazzled by her dynamic, commanding presence.
Any man would be lucky just to have her look his way.
And, if he wasn’t mistaken, she seemed to enjoy looking at him. Being with him.
Avery continued meandering down the street with no real destination in mind. He typically vanished during the night due to sheer boredom, but now he was so happy that he didn’t want the feeling to end.
His eyes narrowed as he caught a glimpse of a familiar yet unwelcome sight. It was that awful black-hatted man. Avery saw Ellis float out of Meade’s Tavern and disappear down a side street. Anxiety prickled in his ghostly stomach.
Lucy.
Avery rushed down the street, still invisible, and floated into the tavern. He drifted into the main dining room, where he saw a busboy clearing off some tables.
Maybe she’s not working tonight, he thought hopefully. Maybe Ellis came to bother her but she wasn’t here.
Avery rushed up the stairs and found Lucy in the upper dining room sitting by herself. Crying.
A rush of tenderness flooded through Avery when he saw her.
Lucy lifted her head and looked around fearfully. “Who’s there?”
Avery carefully faded in, not wanting to scare her.
“Oh, Lucy, darlin’” Avery said softly. “I saw Ellis out on the street.”
Lucy looked relieved as she looked into Avery’s sad, worried eyes. “He was here,” she managed in a shaky voice.
“Oh, dear God, did he hurt you?” Avery said, rushing to her side.
“No,” Lucy said, wiping her eyes. “Not physically, anyway. He said some horrible things to me. I know it’s stupid to be upset over it. It’s just words.”
There was a chair next to her that was already pulled out, so Avery sat in it. Or at least he appeared to sit. He gazed into her eyes.
“No, it’s not stupid, Lucy. Not’t’all.”
Lucy smiled gratefully at him. Avery wished with all his heart that he had the physical strength to go after that horrid man.
If nothing else, he was thankful that he could be here to comfort Lucy.
He knew Jesse would be heartbroken if he knew how distraught she was.
At least Avery could take care of her until she could get home to him.
“He said awful things like he wished he had been the one to kill Jesse.” Lucy stifled a sob and dabbed at her eyes again.
“Oh, darlin’. I’m so sorry. It’s all right. He’s gone now. I won’t let him hurt you anymore.” Avery might not be able to physically stop him from coming into the restaurant, but maybe he could chase him away. Even if Ellis stayed to taunt her, she wouldn’t be alone.
“Thank you. That makes me feel a lot better.” Lucy drew in a deep breath and let it out. She seemed a bit calmer. She looked around at the dining room. “I better finish up so I can get out of here.”
Lucy stood up. She looked a little shaky, but all right otherwise.
“Would you like me to stay with you?” Avery asked.
“That would be wonderful, Avery. Thank you so much,” Lucy said with a sweet smile.
She sounded relieved, and Avery was grateful that he could make her feel better. It wasn’t often that he felt useful to anyone anymore.
Avery smiled at her as he watched her straighten up the tables. “Happy to do it. I just wish I could help you with your work!”
Lucy laughed softly. “Jesse used to say the same thing. You know, when he was like you.”
“Jesse’s a good man.”
“Yes, he sure is,” Lucy said.
“Sooo,” Avery began, figuring it might help if he distracted Lucy with a bit of conversation. “I don’t know if you’ll approve of this or not, but I just came from joining Remy on her ghost tour.”
“Is that so? Did she know you joined her?” Lucy asked dryly.
“Yes, she surely did,” Avery said with a laugh. “I know Jesse got himself into a bit of hot water with you over that kind of thing. I confess I have watched her without her knowing. Only in public, you know! I am a gentleman, after all.”
“I know you are,” Lucy said with fondness.
“Remy knew I was there, and we had a nice talk. She’s a wonderful tour guide, ya know? She’s got such a way with people.”
“Well, she has you wrapped around her little finger, that’s for sure,” Lucy said as she placed silverware on each table.
“Aye, that she does!” Avery said with a laugh.
Lucy scanned the room to make sure she had taken care of everything. “Well, I guess I’m about done. I just need to wrap up a few things downstairs and clock out.”
“Where did you park?” Avery asked.
“Just a few blocks away.”
“May I walk you to your car?”
Lucy’s grateful smile filled him with warmth. It made him happy that he could help her, and therefore help Jesse indirectly. Avery knew Jesse would want him to protect her in his absence.
“That would be lovely, Avery. Thank you.”
* * *
The next morning, Avery was happy to see Jesse and Remy walking toward him at Little Round Top.
As always, he was eager to talk to Remy, but he also wanted to find out how Lucy was doing.
Sorrow tugged at his heart every time he pictured her sitting there in the restaurant dining room, crying all alone.
“Hello, beautiful!” Avery called to Remy when she got near.
“Good morning, Avery,” Remy said with a smile. Avery found it hard to tear his gaze away from those pretty blue eyes of hers, but he turned to Jesse.
“Jesse,” he said worriedly. “How’s Lucy? Is she all right?”
Jesse nodded grimly, his expression hardening. “She’s doing a little better. She was really upset last night.”
“What happened to Lucy?” Remy asked, her eyes wide.
“Some horrible man was harassing her in the restaurant last night,” Jesse said. “And it’s not the first time he’s bothered her.”
“I stopped in to say hello last night after I was with you,” Avery told Remy. “And I’m so glad I did. She was all upset and cryin’.”
“Oh, no,” Remy said, looking distressed.
“Avery, I can’t thank you enough for takin' care of her. She said you stayed with her and walked her to her car.” Jesse’s eyes were filled with relief and gratitude.
“I’m glad I could help. And I’ll be happy to check on her at night when she’s workin’ late,” Avery said.
“That would be great,” Jesse said. “I really appreciate it. I can’t wait ‘til she graduates and starts teachin’ during the day so she don’t have to work late no more.”
“Indeed,” Avery agreed.
“Well, I’m gonna go check and make sure my tourists are okay,” Jesse said, giving Avery a knowing smile. He walked away, leaving Remy and Avery alone for a few moments.
“That’s awful about Lucy,” Remy said with concern. “Do you think that guy’s dangerous?”
“I don’t know,” Avery said, wishing he could reassure Remy by telling her that the guy barely had the strength to touch Lucy, and there wasn’t much he could do to physically harm her.
“But he must have said some awful things to her. Don’t know what he said ‘zactly. I didn’t want to worry her more by pressin’ for details, but she was really upset. ”
“Poor Lucy,” Remy said. “I’ll call her later and make sure she’s all right.”
“That’s kind of you, Remy,” Avery said.
“Hope you got some rest last night,” Remy said. “You were out late.”
“Surely was. But worth losin’ rest if it means I get to be with you,” Avery said.
Remy smiled, and Avery could swear he saw hope in her eyes. Was she wishing for a future with him? He knew he should feel guilty for getting her hopes up, but right now all he felt was sheer joy. She looked at him like she truly cared for him, and he couldn’t help but be happy.
“Do you think maybe sometime we could…” Remy trailed off, uncertain.
Avery stood there, frozen. If she asked to go out with him, what should he say? He realized he should have rehearsed this possibility with Jesse before it came up.
Remy seemed embarrassed by his silence, and Avery hated himself for making her uncomfortable. It was horrible of him to enjoy her affection for him while he knew all along it could only result in heartbreak.
“Never mind. I better go help Jesse,” Remy said, avoiding his gaze.
“Remy, please don’t—” Avery began.
She kept walking as if she didn’t hear him.