“So you’re moving in with Ryder?” Jared asked.
She nodded. “But we both love NOLA. We’ll be back.”
The night with friends was wonderful. The next day was better.
They went back to the cemetery—Jackson, Stephanie, Annette, Ryder, and Casey.
They stood by the tomb as other ghosts made appearances.
Lena had shared with Casey that she’d sensed Anthony’s presence when the arrests were made in the cemetery, but nothing since. Still, she had a feeling she might go with him when the time was right.
It was daytime, but it seemed a streak of light stronger than the sun shone down by the tomb. And a misty, almost golden image of a man appeared in that ray of light.
He reached out a hand to Lena.
Lena paused, and a collective gasp of fear went through the group as the ghostly mother managed to take hold of her child and then race to the light with the baby.
“Annette,” Stephanie whispered.
But the group seemed to be just a burst of light for a minute as Lena and Anthony held their beloved daughter.
Then, Lena ran back with the baby, hugging Stephanie and returning the child to her guardian’s arms.
“I love you. Please understand. Please love her as I would. As I will always love you both. And everyone, thank you. Thank you!” she said.
The light was gone, and Lena with it. Stephanie sobbed softly, and Ryder set his arm around her. He assured her that he and Casey would stick around for a while. There would be more paperwork and additional things about the case to untangle. And Casey knew he would do whatever was necessary to make sure everything was locked up tight, that the board members and Gail got what was coming to them, and that his family was never harmed again.
Later that night, lying together, Ryder seemed thoughtful.
“Are you sure you don’t mind picking up and leaving, giving up everything to come with me?” he asked her, not for the first time.
She smiled and stroked his face.
“Jared and Lauren will be fine with the store. Jennie Sanders will know she has special powers now.” She laughed. “Someone tall, dark, and dangerously handsome did enter my life to sweep me off my feet. We have learned so much about death...and life. Let’s seize it and live it,” she said.
He smiled, straddling her.
“You do have a beautiful mind. And...hmm. A beautiful rest of you, too.”
She laughed softly. “Thank you. And as for life...”
“Let’s get to it!”
He kissed her.
Life.
She had come close to losing it. She had discovered that she could help someone who had lost it. And now...
It was a gift. And she would cherish every minute of it.
Especially with Ryder.
* * * *
Also from 1001 Dark Nights and Heather Graham, discover Blood Night, Haunted Be the Holidays, Hallow Be The Haunt, Crimson Twilight, When Irish Eyes Are Haunting, All Hallows Eve, and Blood on the Bayou.