Drop Dead Sexy(48)

“All-righty then,” Catcher replied. His tone alluded to how ridiculous he found the turn of the conversation. I couldn’t blame him since it was all too bizarre. I guess now we could add witches to the craziness of nudists and snake handlers.

“She’s not a black hat and spells kinda witch. Granny Witch is the name given to mountain women who practice folk healing.” At what must’ve been Catcher’s and my blank expression, Zeke said, “You know, women who did midwifing or dowsing for water to make wells. They also delved in potions for healing.”

“Since I grew up in Atlanta, I wasn’t aware of any of that,” Catcher said.

When he looked at me, I shook my head. “While I’ve heard of mountain folk healing, I haven’t heard of the term ‘Granny Witch’.”

Zeke snorted. “Yeah, I should’ve pegged you two for city-folk.”

I fought the urge to argue with him that Taylorsville was hardly a major metropolis.

“Just ask around for the Granny Witch Thornhill, and I’m sure you’ll find her.”

“With just that much to go on, I hope you’re right,” Catcher mused.

“If that’s all for me, I better get back and see how Ezra’s doing.”

Catcher nodded. “That’s it.” He pulled one of his cards from his suit pocket and handed it to Zeke. “If you think of anything else, don’t hesitate to call me.”

“Sure thing.” After putting the card in his wallet, Zeke smiled at me. “Once again, thank you for saving Ezra’s life.”

I returned his smile. “You’re welcome.”

After stuffing his hands in his pants pockets, Zeke ambled back toward the ER entrance. Catcher and I watched his retreating form until he got back inside. “I can’t wait to tell the guys I’m working on a lead for a granny witch.”

I tsked at him. “That would be the Granny Witch Thornhill.”

“Isn’t that what I said?”

“No. You left it way too common. Apparently this old biddy has a proper title like she’s royalty or something.”

Catcher snorted. “Mountain royalty I suppose.”

My phone dinged in my purse. After I pulled it out and read it was from Allen, I grimaced. “Dammit.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I forgot it’s my night to be on call for body pickups. We’ve had a death called in from Eastside Hospital back home.” I quickly texted Allen that it would be a little while before I could get there, but I was on the way. “Sorry that I have to get back.” What I really wanted to say was, “Sorry that I’m not going to be able to screw your brains out.”

“No need to apologize, and no need to cut our evening short.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, why don’t I come along with you to pick up the stiff? Then we can get some dinner.” Catcher grinned at me. “After two dicks, a nudist resort, and snake handlers, I have yet to have the pleasure of buying you dinner.”

I grinned. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Of course not.”

“Okay. Sounds good.”

Actually, it sounded a hell of a lot more than just good. I mean, here I was with a drop-dead sexy man who not only didn’t find my profession abhorrent, but he was actually supportive. More than anything, he wanted to spend time with me. It was quite refreshing to find such a man existed. Catcher was truly turning into a man who was good for both the body and soul.





After we got home from the boonies, Catcher swung by the funeral home so I could pick up the hearse. As he opened the passenger side door, Catcher chuckled. “What’s so funny?” I asked, as I slid across the leather seat.

“The fact I’m about to take a spin in a hearse, and I’m not dead.”

“Yeah, I guess it is a little weird the first time.”

“Your dad didn’t drive you around in this, did he?”

I laughed. “God, no. It was bad enough being the girl with dead people in her house. The last thing I would have needed was to be the girl with dead people in her car.”

Catcher snorted. “I see your point.”

Eastside Hospital was a quick ten minute drive from the funeral home. Compared to the hospitals in the bigger cities like Marietta and Atlanta, Eastside was pretty small.

I pulled around back to the loading dock. “You can wait here if you want,” I said, as I grabbed my identification badge out of the dash.

“And miss seeing you in action? Ha! Never.”

I grinned. “It’s really not that exciting.”

“Anything with you is exciting, Olivia,” Catcher said sincerely, which when spoken in his sinfully, sexy voice sent my heart beating erratically and caused me to feel lightheaded.

Without my normal elegance, I stumbled out of the hearse. After recovering, I went around to the back and opened the door, pulled out the gurney, got it upright, and then locked it in place. With what felt like rote movements, the wheels rattled along the pavement as I approached the backdoor. I gripped the rails on the gurney so it wouldn’t go careening away as I rang the bell. The last thing I needed was to make a fool out of myself in front of Catcher.

“Yes?” a voice questioned.