“Oh yes, I know.” Jenny rolled her eyes. “My husband can’t watch scary movies but the violence in his video games doesn’t bother him a bit.”
“The games I develop aren’t that violent. They’re also not based in reality.”
“You’re a video game programmer?” Josh asked.
“I am.”
“Cool. Did you develop any games I’d be familiar with?”
“Overlords and Last Man Standing.”
“Seriously? Those are like the top games of all time.”
“Why am I not surprised you still play video games,” Em said.
“I don’t but ninety percent of the guys on my team do. If you’re up for it, Steve, we have career day at Highland Falls High next month, and I know the kids would be stoked if you’d come.”
“Sure. I’d love to. I was going to see if there was any interest in me offering an intro to programming at the community center, but if you think your principal would like me to start a club or something like that with the students at your school, I’d be happy to.”
“I know the kids would be all for it, but let me ask. I don’t see why our principal wouldn’t be on board though.”
“There you go, honey. Something to keep you busy while I’m helping May and Clara go to the light.” Jenny opened her arms for Charlotte, who walked over yawning.
Em rubbed her forefinger up and down her right temple. “So you really think Seaton House is haunted?”
“According to everything I’ve read and the interviews I conducted with previous tenants, it is.” Jenny smiled at Em. “You don’t believe in ghosts, do you?”
Em hesitated. She was a skeptic. She didn’t believe in ghosts or anything that couldn’t be proven with hard evidence but Josh also knew she wouldn’t want to offend Jenny.
“You have a ghost in your house,” Charlotte said, looking at Gus, who hadn’t moved from his spot on the floor in front of the patio doors. “You need to help him go to the light. I think he’s sad. Mommy can help you if you don’t know how. Can’t you, Mommy?”
Chapter Six
It took a lot for Em not to react when Brad disappeared. One minute he was standing by the patio doors, and in the next minute, he was gone. She focused on Jenny instead. Her mouth was moving but Em couldn’t hear anything over the pounding of her heart in her ears. Jenny was looking at her now, waiting for a response.
“It’s okay. I’m happy sharing my house with a ghost.” She wanted Brad to stay with her forever. But after their conversation in the bathroom earlier, she was almost positive he didn’t feel the same. He wanted her to move on, to let him go.
“Uh, Em, Jenny was saying they’re going to head out. Charlotte’s tired, and so are you.”
“Sorry, brain’s still a little foggy, I guess.” Em went to stand up when the couple did but Josh placed a firm hand on her shoulder.
“Sit. I’ll see Jenny, Steve, and Charlotte out.”
She nodded, watching as Gus left his place at the patio doors. He went directly to her bedroom without so much as a glance their way, which wasn’t like him. He loved kids, but he loved Brad more. Brad had rescued Gus as a puppy, and to hear her fiancé tell it, it had been love at first sight for both of them. Gus’s and Em’s relationship had been dislike at first sight, but they’d put on a good front for Brad. They’d both adored him. Gus had been as depressed as Em when they’d lost him.
Em’s racing heart began to slow. Brad must be in her bedroom.
“I’m sorry, Em. We should’ve realized how tired you were,” Jenny said, handing Charlotte to her husband.
“I’m fine, honestly. I’m glad you stopped by,” Em said. “Let us know if you need anything.”
Josh returned from the kitchen with a bag and handed it to Jenny. “This should hold you over until tomorrow.”
“Thank you. Both of you. For everything,” Jenny said and gave Josh a hug. Then she walked over and gave one to Em.
Em awkwardly patted her back. “You’re welcome.” She ignored Josh, who was grinning at her. He knew how she felt about huggers.
After they’d said their goodbyes, Josh walked the family outside, leaving the door slightly ajar. Em shot off the couch and ran to her room. Brad and Gus were lying on the bed.
She pressed her palm on her chest. “I thought you left me,” she whispered.
“I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye, Em,” he said, his voice quiet.
But he didn’t say he wouldn’t leave. Charlotte was right. Em had a depressed ghost on her hands. She had to do something. Even if she didn’t want to move on, it’s what Brad wanted. He’d be happy if he thought she was. For him, she could pretend. She’d go on a couple of dates. Brad had suggested Josh but he was a hard pass. Except, if she wouldn’t fake-date Josh, then who? She didn’t really know anyone… but she knew someone who was friends with practically everyone in town.
She heard footsteps in the hall. “Don’t go anywhere,” she whispered and then closed the bedroom door behind her.
Josh met her outside her room. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I wanted to check on Gus.”
“Yeah. He’s not acting like himself. Might be a good idea to have the vet check him over. I can bring him after practice tomorrow, if you want.”
“Cal said the vet checked him over, and he was okay.”
“Yeah, but he seems… I don’t know, depressed?”
She followed Josh into the living room, thinking he might have a point. Brad was back but it wasn’t the same. He couldn’t cuddle or play with Gus like he used to. It had to be difficult for Gus, and for Brad. Maybe he wasn’t just depressed about Em’s inability to move on with her life.
She picked up her plate from the coffee table. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”
Josh took the plate from her. “Relax. I’ve got it.”
She opened her mouth to argue but instead sat on the couch. She’d been tired before but her panicked reaction to the thought that Brad had left and her run to the bedroom had pushed her into the exhausted zone.
She rested her head against the back of the couch, watching as Josh cleared off the TV trays. As much as he could get on her last nerve, she was glad he’d stayed. He hadn’t been nearly as annoying today. He was a good guy, caring and kind. “Thanks, and thanks for everything you did today.”
“Now you’ve got me worried,” he said, as he walked to the kitchen with a pile of dirty dishes and utensils.
“Why, because I thanked you?”
“No, because you didn’t argue with me.” He returned with the blood pressure machine, digital forehead thermometer, and stethoscope. “And don’t bother arguing with me about this,” he said, holding the digital thermometer an inch from her forehead. It beeped. He checked the reading and entered it into his phone.
“If I have a temperature, it’s because I’m basically wearing a blanket, so make sure you tell Cal that.”
“Your temperature is below normal,” he said as he pushed up her sleeve, fitting the blood pressure cuff over her bicep.