Old Ghosts

Chapter 5

Three days later found Kate adding the finishing touches in her house for Lee’s visit. The table was set with plates in the oven and the candles lit with Michael Bublè playing softly in the background. Dressed in a light pink cocktail dress, Kate fussed with her hair in front of the mirror. Deciding to slip it into a thick braid, she grabbed her make up case and put a light layer of make up on.

“Too much, Bandit?” Kate asked, pouting in the mirror. “I think I’ll get the candles off the table.” Kate wrung her hands a few times. “And I think I’ll say no to the heels as well, we don’t want to give Lee the wrong impression now.” She bent down and kissed the black dog’s head. “I’m glad I washed you today. It would have been horrible for me to bathe you yesterday and find you rolling around in that muck I found you in this morning.” Walking to her wardrobe, Kate blushed as she looked over her one vanity - shoes. Grabbing a pair of dusty pink ballet flats, she slipped them on before padding out to the kitchen. Charli glanced up at her before looking at the candles and setting his head back down. “Yeah I know, way too much. They’re going now, pet, don’t worry.”

After putting the candles away, Kate glanced at the clock, her teeth worrying her lip as she noted the time. “He should have been here by now, Charli,” Kate mentioned, walking over to the phone and picking it up. “No, I won’t call him yet, he could be just running a little late.” She hesitantly placed the phone back on its cradle before picking it up again and punching in his number. “Better safe than sorry.”

The phone rang, and rang and rang and still he did not answer. “Perfectly good reason for that; he’s driving and can’t find anywhere to pull over.” She began to pace, keeping close to the phone. The shrill ringing caused her to jump at the phone. “Lee?” she asked breathlessly.

“He still not there?” Monica asked. Kate sighed and was grateful to have a cordless phone that allowed her to continue pacing.

“No, and I’m getting worried.” Kate told her friend.

“Calm down, he’s probably running behind schedule. Have you called him?” Monica soothed.

“Yeah, just before, but I didn’t get an answer. It just rang through.”

“Well, he’s obviously in an area with service, so if he was in trouble he could call out. Don’t worry, Katie girl, he’ll be there. Anyway, I just wanted to call you to say thanks for the advice,” Monica changed the topic.

“Huh?” Kate asked, not quite following.

“With Pa, his coughing has started to ease. Ma told him that you gave me the advice, he’s singing your praises now, cursing you here and there too, but that’s expected,” the woman chattered on.

“Yeah,” Kate said, distracted, “I’m glad to hear that. I really hope he gets better.”

“Well, Ma is really happy with you; we’re getting that heater system now. No more relying on the chimney.” Charli and Bandit sat up, alert, and padded to the front door.

“I’m happy to hear that,” Kate repeated, her attention grabbed by the two dogs scratching at the door and whining, “I’ve got to go, the dogs are fussing. If I don’t see to them, I’ll have accidents everywhere.”

“Just what I wanted to know,” Monica laughed. “Alright, I’ll see you later. Don’t forget to bring Lee around for dinner one night.”

“Sure. Um, I’ve got to go, ‘bye now.” Kate hung up the phone and walked over to the door. Charli started to growl. “What’s the matter, boy?” Kate moved over to the closet and grabbed her old rifle. Loading it, Kate opened the door, gun in full view. Peering out into the night, Kate could not seem to shake off the feeling of uneasiness. Bandit shot through the open door and into the night. “Bandit! Come back here, dog!” Kate called, giving up after a while, frustrated. Walking back into the house, Kate could not help but glance back over her shoulder once more, feeling like someone was keeping a very close eye on her.

Closing the door, Kate rushed over to the phone and called the sheriff’s office.

“Hello?” came the sleepy voice.

“Um, hello, it’s Kate Birchill, here. Um - I think there may be someone up near my house. The dogs are going crazy and I was just wondering if it was possible for you to send someone up here to check the roads. It may be just teenagers, I don’t know,” Kate said breathlessly.

“Miss Birchill, thank you for calling. I’ll send someone up shortly,” The man’s voice suddenly became more alert with the possibility of lawbreakers.

“Thank you,” Kate said lowly, hanging up. “Where are you, Lee?”

She walked over to the couch and sat down, Charli jumping up and curling next to her. Petting him softly, Kate allowed his heavy breathing to comfort her slightly. Before she knew it, Kate was sleeping lightly.

A sound came from outside. Charli’s head shot up and he got off the chair slowly before walking over to the door. He started to whine and scratch the door. Kate woke up, groggily looking around for him. “Charli?” Spying him scratching at the door, she got up and opened it, only to gasp in shock.

A large figure loomed in the doorway. A muscular man peered at her, his dark eyes boring into hers. Kate’s eyes drifted from head to toe. Heavy boots encased his feet. Dark jeans moulded to his legs, a dark wet stain on the denim at his tapered waist. An ash blue shirt stretched over his torso and shoulders, another wet stain on his left shoulder. A three-day growth covered his chiselled jaw and brown hair flopped over his eyes.

“Lee? What happened?” Kate whispered, shocked. The man grunted; sweat and a pain filled expression over his face.

“Katie,” he rumbled, before collapsing in her arms.

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