Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
KENNEDY
The buildings on Main Street whizz by as Casey takes us to the other side of town.
We weave through the side streets and come around the back side of Shadow Hills Elementary School.
I’m immediately brought back to a simpler time in my life.
A new awning has been built over the pathway that leads to the front door, and I believe there’s been an extension to the back side of the building that looks like a gymnasium.
I enjoyed going to school back then. I had a favorite teacher, Mr. Davis, and I had friends I looked forward to seeing every day. Back then, I didn’t stand out. I was just like all the other kids, learning and experiencing life together.
Beside it sits the middle school. It looks exactly the same as I remember. This was when things started to get complicated. Girls talked about when they were going to start going through puberty, and the boys were no longer our equals, but prizes to be won.
Even with my best friend, Lanie, living next door, I was already beginning to feel like an outcast. When we moved, that feeling grew exponentially. Now, seeing where it all started makes me feel like I’d rather forget than take a trip down memory lane.
“That’s Claudia’s,” Simone says, pointing to a small, single-story brick house. It’s quaint with picturesque flower boxes in the windows and a welcome sign propped beside the door. I can’t wait to see the inside.
We continue down the block, and I gaze out the window at all the new buildings that have been erected since I lived here.
There are so many businesses that weren’t there before, as well as two new gas stations.
The tiny town of Shadow Hills has bloomed into a beautiful haven for paranormals and humans alike.
I’m happy to see its infrastructure has grown with its people, and I hope it continues to expand without losing its charm.
We pass the fire station and the clinic, and then we’re back on Main Street.
“That’s all folks,” Casey says in an impression of a lively tour guide. “And it only took ten minutes.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Simone muses. “Sometimes I forget just how small this place is.”
“It’s hardly changed at all,” I say from the backseat. I shift from one side of the car to the other, looking out both windows. No need for a seatbelt when I’ll just pass through it.
Simone hums in concurrence. “I’ve only been here a year, but it already feels like I’ve been here my whole life.”
“It’s easy to feel that way when the town embraces you,” Casey adds. “That’s the one thing I wouldn’t trade for anything: the people.”
It’s a comforting sentiment, and I’ve already seen it for myself in the few days I’ve been here.
“What else would you like to see, my dear?” Simone asks as she turns around in her seat. She grips the back of the headrest, and I notice her nails are painted red with pink and white embellishments.
“I think I’d like to just walk around for a bit,” I say. “If that’s okay.”
“Cool, cool.” Casey loops through the roundabout and takes a left into a parking lot that sits between Double Double and a coin laundry.
After he parks, we all get out—I float through the back door—and start down the sidewalk toward the coffee shop.
“You want anything, babe?” Casey asks Simone as we approach the chalkboard easel standing outside the door, advertising the holiday specials.
“You read my mind,” she declares. “Let’s get hot chocolate!”
He scowls. “Isn’t it kinda warm for hot chocolate? Besides,” he comes up from behind her and squeezes her shoulders, “you still need to try the pistachio cold foam we have right now.” He kisses her on the cheek.
“Yes! Yum!”
She yanks open the door and it dings above our heads. There are several small groups sitting inside, and I’m nervous to show myself as a spirit, but no one seems to pay me any attention. There’s a Black man in his mid-forties taking orders at the register, his long locs pulled back low on his neck.
“Your shift hasn’t started yet,” he tells Casey as we approach the counter.
Casey points his thumb at me. “We’re showing the new ghost around town.”
Simone interjects, giving him side-eye. “This is Kennedy. She’s Claudia’s sister, and she’s new in town.” She throws her hand back nonchalantly. “That’s my brother, Layton.”
“How ‘bout that.” Layton’s grin is miles wide. “Welcome to Shadow Hills, Kennedy. I hope you like it here.”
“I do,” I say, brushing my hair behind my ear.
“First cup’s on the house if you’d like some coffee.”
I look to Casey. “Actually, that pistachio drink you mentioned sounds really good.”
“Three please!” Simone sings.
We select an empty table and Simone and Casey sit across from one another.
I shift into my physical body and pull out the chair between them.
My muscles are sore, and I’m starting to feel the beginning of a tension headache.
After my coffee, I’ll definitely need to shift back and give my body a proper rest.
Simone removes her crossbody bag and Casey takes it from her, placing it in his lap.
They’re a sweet couple. I can tell by the way Casey looks at her that she means a lot to him.
Simone didn’t mention how long they’d been together, but I would say a long time, based on how comfortable they are.
Either that, or they both got really lucky finding their person.
“If you’re up for it, I’d love to give you that reading later,” Simone suggests.
“You’re going to do her tarot?” Casey questions.
She eyes me pointedly. “If you still want to.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I’m really interested in what the cards have to say about my future. It’s kind of in the air at the moment.”
Specifically, I need to know why my spirit was brought to Shadow Hills. And if this is where I’m meant to stay, will it be with my sister or Theo. If the cards can answer for me I won’t have to decide for myself. That would be a relief.
I really enjoyed getting to see other parts of town this morning, but the entire car ride I replayed the moments Theo and I have shared recently.
There was definitely a moment the other night when he first confessed to not wanting to leave the house.
It looked like he wanted to kiss me. Then last night, after he finally opened up about the family that used to live in Vanderbilt House, I thought for sure there was something there.
I hadn’t meant to be so forward when I asked him to sleep with me downstairs in front of the fire.
I honestly didn’t expect anything to happen.
I just wanted him near. But I must have spooked him.
I keep forgetting he’s from a different era. He was a ghost for most of the twentieth century, and before that, it was all about courting a woman first, not sharing a bed together. Even if it was just sleeping.
“I’m so excited!” Simone cheers, bringing me back to the present. “I’ve been practicing with the girls, but this will be my first time reading someone new.”
Casey leans forward and taps her thigh under the table. “You’re a natural.”
“You just say that because the first reading I tested on you said you were going to be rich,” she says with pursed lips.
He winks suggestively. “I’m still counting on it.”
Layton brings us our drinks and places them down in front of each of us. “Enjoy.”
Simone has already taken a sip and white foam clings to her top lip. Casey wipes it away with his thumb and licks it clean. They share a heated stare that I feel I shouldn’t be present for, but then the moment passes.
“So,” Simone lets out with a heavy breath, “why don’t we head over to the Coven house after this? You can meet the other girls.”
Casey takes a long drag from his cup. “I think I’m gonna hang here until my shift starts later. You don’t need me.”
“I don’t mean to take away from your day together,” I beseech.
Simone waves her hand. “You didn’t. We invited you, remember?”
I sit back in the wooden chair and nod.
Just then, Kendra comes barreling over to our table with a gleeful expression. “It’s our ghost girl!” she proclaims loudly. The other groups of patrons all turn to look at us. “Kiki told me you were at the cafe yesterday, but I must have missed you. Are you doing well? No more Whac-A-Mole?”
I smirk, amused by her use of my words. “I’m good, Kendra. Thank you for asking.”
“Well of course you are! Just look at you! Pink cheeks and in your own body.” Kendra leans down conspiratorially and says, “Mayor Musthaven hardly ever spends time in his anymore. It wears him out, bless his heart. Says it’s bad for his knees."
Simone looks extremely uncomfortable with Kendra hovering so close, so she shifts her chair back and stands. “I’m going to use the restroom before we go, okay?”
Casey takes the hint and gets to his feet as well. “How’s the family, Kendra?” he asks, steering her away from the table. “I haven’t heard from Woody in a while.”
“He spends all his time fishing. Ever since Rhett took over as sheriff, he’s become the ultimate outdoorsmen. Keeps him out of my hair.”
I mouth ‘thank you’ as he walks away and return to my iced coffee. But I’m only allowed a moment of peace before someone else approaches. This time it’s someone I don’t know.
“Are you Kennedy Chesterfield?” the woman asks eagerly.
I consider lying, but I doubt it would make a difference. I’m a new face in a well-known crowd. And to add insult to injury, my hair gives me away in a second.
“That’s me,” I say with a forced grin.
She takes a seat in Simone’s empty chair. “My name is Paloma. My husband is the sheriff. I don’t know if you’ve met him yet—well, not in his human form—but I just wanted to make sure I introduced myself if you needed anything.”
The soft lines around her eyes and mouth crease as she smiles. She seems nice, and her intent feels genuine.
“Thank you.” I offer my hand, and she takes it in both of hers, pressing them together to form a sandwich. “Is your husband a shifter?”
“He’s the head of the werewolf pack,” she states proudly. “He told me he saw a red-headed ghost wandering through the forest the other night, and I knew it had to be you.”
The corner of my mouth quirks upward. “Word spreads fast.”
“It does indeed,” she agrees. “I hope you aren’t feeling too overwhelmed. Everyone around here means well.”
“I know they do. And I appreciate it.”
She frees my hand and I tuck it into my lap. “Tell your husband I’m sorry for spying on him.”
Paloma hoots a laugh. “Oh, he didn’t mind. He just wanted to make sure you were alright out there on your own.”
“I’m okay,” I say. “I’m staying in the Vanderbilt House. With Theodore.”
Paloma’s eyelids drop and her voice wavers. “Now that’s a poor soul in need of a helping hand.”
I sit up straight. “Do you know if there’s a history between him and the coven here in Shadow Hills? He told me he doesn’t leave the house because of something he did. He feels guilty, even after all these years.”
I probably shouldn’t have said that, but Paloma seems to know more than I do, and I really want to get to the bottom of what’s holding Theo back.
She shakes her head with a stern expression. “That is not my story to tell. But you are right about his guilt. That boy let grief and remorse consume him so much it killed him.”
“Killed him?” I utter the words back to her, unsure if I’ve heard them correctly. “Did he…?”
“Oh no, dear. He died from influenza, I believe.” She looks at me earnestly. “But you know what they say about people dying of a broken heart?”
I’m stunned. I don’t know what to say, but I’m saved by Simone returning from the restroom.
“Hey, Paloma!” She greets the woman beside me with a warm hug.
“How are you sweetheart?” she asks against Simone’s shoulder.
They pull apart, and Simone grabs her bag that Casey left for her at the table. “I’m great! Lessons are hard, but I’m starting to get the hang of it.”
“That’s wonderful to hear,” Paloma says. “Do you know which specialty you’re going to choose?”
She shrugs. “I’m not sure yet. They all sound so interesting. There’s healing, botany, spiritual guidance. Right now I’m focusing on perfecting each skill.”
I’m impressed by Simone’s commitment to her craft. If I had magic, I would hope my passion to learn and practice was just as strong.
“We’re going over to the house now, actually,” she tells Paloma. “Kennedy’s letting me do a reading for her.”
Paloma presses her lips together in a polite smile. “I won’t keep you girls waiting then.”
We both wave goodbye and Simone drapes her bag over her shoulder. “You ready?”
I grab my coffee and get to my feet. “Let’s go.”