Where One Goes(6)

I shrug and give her a shy smile. “You could say that.”

“Nothing a hot shower won’t fix,” Ike jibes, but I ignore him. It took me years of practice to learn to ignore the dead and not respond to them in front of other people. Even a glance in their direction can make other people think I’m odd.

“Well, a room is forty dollars a night, but you’ll have cable, and the hot water is great.”

Forty dollars? That’s cheap as hell. I drop my bags to the floor and begin opening my backpack, the thought of a hot shower and a warm bed making me quiver, when I realize I left my money in the glove box of my truck. Shit! My face flames red as I stand and pick my bags up. “I’m so sorry I wasted your time, Mr. Mercer, but I left my money in my truck. I’ll just go back to it and crash there tonight.” Humiliation surges through me as I glance at Ike who closes his eyes, realizing how embarrassed I am.

“Nonsense, child.” Mr. Mercer waves at me. “I’ll pay. You can pay me back some other time when you get your money.”

“I can’t accept that, sir.” I shake my head vehemently. I don’t want handouts.

“Why not?” Ike asks, with his arms extended. “You’re freezing and need rest!” Again, I ignore him, which is hard when his body language and tone are so animated.

“Sweetheart, you need rest. If you run off tomorrow and don’t pay me, forty dollars won’t end my life. At least I’ll know you had a safe night’s rest. It would put my mind at ease.” Mr. Mercer stares down at me softly as he hands Ginger the cash. I hate the pity in his eyes. I probably look like a homeless drifter—which I guess, technically, I am.

“Then here,” I say, as I unhook my necklace with the silver cross. I haven’t taken it off in years. “Take this and hold onto it so you know I’ll return. That’s one of my most prized possessions, and I would never leave it behind. But please don’t sell it. I’ll have your money tomorrow.”

Mr. Mercer takes the cross in his hand, a gentle smile playing on his lips. “You have my word.” With that, he heads to the door and before he exits, he says, “Good night, Char.”

“Thank you, Mr. Mercer. You are very kind.” I nod.

“Well hon, I have a room ready for you,” Ginger says, as she rounds the counter.

“Big surprise. She only has one other occupant,” Ike snorts, and I have to fight not to smile.

Ginger leads me to room thirteen, which is the farthest room from her office. I guess she likes her privacy. “Now, you be sure to lock your door when I leave, and if you need anything just dial zero on the phone and it’ll send you to me.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” I smile appreciatively.

“When is the last time you ate, hon? You look like a light breeze would just blow you right over. I made fried chicken for dinner and have a few pieces left over. I could warm them up for you.”

“You are so kind, but I think a hot shower and a nice bed is what I really need right now. Thank you, though.” I nod.

“Okay, dear. Night.” Once she closes the door, I plop back on the bed. Ike takes a seat in the yellow, pleather arm chair by the door.

“Is this the only motel in town?”

He laughs. “Well, this county has a shit-ton of bed and breakfasts and there’s also The Plantation, which is pretty much your rich people resort. This motel is lower scale, obviously, but in the next few weeks I have no doubt she’ll be at maximum occupancy.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because fall is our tourist season. People come from all over to enjoy the springs and see the leaves change,” he explains. As I listen to him, I shiver, still cold and wet in my drenched clothes.

“You need to get out of those clothes and take a hot shower,” Ike observes.

“Yes, mother,” I sigh loudly before standing. I stare at him a moment and he just stares back.

“Are you planning on giving me some privacy?”

“Don’t mind me. I’m dead.” He beams a perfect grin that makes my belly flutter.

“I’m not undressing in front of you, soldier boy,” I inform him.

“A fallen soldier, dead and in limbo, can’t even get a little peek? That’s just cruel, Charlotte,” he jests, clenching his eyes closed in mock pain.

I can’t help laughing a little as I start digging through my bag and warn, “You better not watch me in the shower, either.”

He laughs loudly. His laugh is so rich and deep, it makes me laugh some more. “Come on. What good is being dead if I can’t watch a girl shower without her knowing?”

“But I would know,” I remind him. “Shit!” I groan as I dump my clothes on the bed.

“What’s wrong?”

“All of my shit is soaked,” I whine.

“You’ve got a dirty little mouth on you,” he remarks with a smirk.

“And?”

“I like it,” he shrugs.

“Guess I’m sleeping naked tonight,” I sigh.

“There is a god,” Ike stares up at the ceiling, hands clasped in praise.

“You’re not sleeping here,” I point out.

“It was worth a try,” he huffs in defeat. As I head toward the bathroom, I turn and see Ike staring at the floor. “You okay?”