Gypsy Magic - J.R. Rain Page 0,65

fast. You can expect an avalanche of get-well cards in the next few days. People like you, Poppy. I like you.”

He pressed his palms flat against the arms of the chair and pushed himself free of the chair, inch by inch. “But, if you’d rather I go…”

“Don’t go,” I said, almost on instinct. “The soup was thoughtful. Thank you.” Heat crept into my face. The look in his intense gray gaze stoked a fire in me. A fire that hadn’t been stoked for years. Maybe it was the concussion, but, when I looked at him, I didn’t second-guess the feeling. I liked Roy, and he seemed to like me. “Did you at least bring me a spoon?” I asked.

Roy smiled and produced a plastic spoon from the interior pocket of his jacket, then handed it to me.

I ate a few bites of the soup in silence. The soup settled, even on my queasy stomach, and I had to admit it was probably the best thing I’d tasted since the brisket I’d had at his restaurant.

“Can you tell me about what happened?” he asked.

I shrugged. “Apparently, I’m in the hospital after a ghost tugged me off a ladder with intent to splatter my brains on the floor.”

I was just scraping the bottom of the styrofoam cup when Marty sidled into the room. My first thought was of the x-rated dream I’d been having, and I immediately started to blush. When he saw me awake, his expression brightened into something joyful, like watching sun break across the horizon. The enthusiasm dimmed a little when he spied Roy in the bedside chair.

“Roy?”

“Marty,” Roy said, his greeting just as terse. “How’s Finn?”

“He’s calmed down,” Marty said with a grimace as he faced me. “Finn was really worried about you, Pops.”

It was the way he said my nickname—like he wanted Roy to know we were on a familiar level. Or maybe that was just in my head?

“Can I see him?” I asked, wanting nothing more than to assure my little boy that his mama was going to be just fine.

Marty nodded. “He’s downstairs with Bailey and RJ, eating a snack.” He looked at Roy and then at me again. “I… uh… I can go get him.”

“No,” Roy said, again pushing his way from the chair inch by inch. “I’ll go grab the gang from the cafeteria and then I need to dash. Have to get back to the restaurant,” he said with a shrug. “Get well soon, Poppy. I’m glad you’re alright.”

He waved a hand airily over his shoulder as he left. Marty tracked him until he disappeared around the corner and waited until his footsteps had faded entirely before he spoke.

“What did Roid want?” he asked mildly.

“Roid?”

“Yeah. Like hemorrhoid?”

I nodded. “I got it.”

“Not funny?”

I sighed. “Roy’s a decent guy, from what I can tell. He’s been very nice, and he brought me chicken soup.”

“He’s part of the Haven Hollow Cult.”

“Council,” I corrected him. “At least that’s what Roy called it.”

“Council, cult… what’s the difference?”

“I think there’s a pretty big difference,” I said, shaking my head. “Regardless, I hardly think Roy is plotting to induct me into some… society.”

Marty visibly deflated, sinking into the chair Roy had vacated. He scrubbed at his eyes, age seeming to pile onto him before my eyes. So often he looked younger than his actual age. He was so boisterous and boyish, it was easy to forget he was actually older than I was.

“Sorry, Poppy, I shouldn’t have asked.” He took a breath. “Whatever is going on with you and Roy… it isn’t my business.”

“Nothing is going on between us.”

“Then why’d he come to see you?”

I shrugged. “To make sure I was okay?”

He nodded and then gave me a smile that said he didn’t buy it. “Let me start over again. I’m glad you’re going to be okay. How’s your head feel?”

“Like it’s full of packing peanuts and about to be shipped off by UPS. How are you and Bailey? Did I land on either of you?” Then I paused as I tried to remember. “What happened?”

“Bailey was channeling Danny’s spirit when you started up the ladder. Then you fell off the ladder and hit your head. You went limp as a rag doll in my arms, Poppy. I thought...” His voice tapered off to a whisper and his expression grew pinched. “I understand why ghosts frighten you now. I didn’t know they… could do that. If I ever thought you might get hurt, I never would have asked you