It's A Wonderful Midlife Crisis (Good To The Last Death #1) - Robyn Peterman Page 0,83
self.
“Umm, as appealing as that sounds—no,” I said with a giggle. “I have to study what’s in that box and figure out how to continue my life of crime without getting busted.”
“Alrighty then,” she said, pulling me in for a hug. “I want you to promise me on a stack of bibles that you won’t go with him.”
“Gram, that wouldn’t do much good considering I’m not a big believer,” I told her with a smile. “But I will swear on my love for you that I’m not leaving with Steve. He’s truly here to help me find happiness. I promise.”
“I can live with that,” Gram said, giving me one last squeeze. “You tell Steve that while he stays in town, I expect him to visit me.”
“Will do,” I said with a shake of my head. Crazy didn’t even begin to describe this visit. “Gram, I have one more question.”
“Shoot, Daisy girl, but go quick. Bob Barker is getting ready to come on.”
“Why here? Why do the dead come to our town?”
“What do you know about portals?” Gram asked, ignoring the TV for a moment.
“Umm… I know a portal is like a gateway or an entrance.”
“Or an opening,” Gram said. “Our little sleepy town is the epicenter.”
“Of what?” I pressed, wanting a full answer before Bob Barker had all of her attention.
“An opening to Heaven and an opening to Hell,” she replied. “It’s the strongest entrance to the afterlife known.”
“Bizarre,” I muttered as I got out of the bed. I picked up my purse and grabbed the box. “I was wondering why.”
“And now you know, Daisy girl,” Gram said. “You sure you and Steve don’t want to watch the show? I just know I could beat both of you in the big showcase.”
I shook my head and laughed. “Next time, Gram.”
“Suit yourself,” she said with a grin. “Steve, you be a good boy.”
“He will,” I said, opening the door to her room and stepping into the hallway.
Steve still stood next to Gram’s bed watching her intently with a smile on his face. Leaning in and giving her one last sweet kiss that she didn’t feel, he followed me out.
“So you’re the only one who can see me?” he asked.
I nodded. “I guess so,” I replied in a whisper just in case anyone was around. “Oh, wait. The other squatters will be able to see you too.”
Steve smiled and shook his head. “Weird.”
I couldn’t agree more. My life was so weird that it was hard to explain. However, it was mine. Weird or not, I had to live it.
Amazingly, I was okay with that.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“That was outstanding,” Steve said as he floated out of the car.
The car ride home was fun. I’d driven Steve to all the places we used to go. He was surprised at how much had changed in the year since he’d died. I’d ended up telling him about the insurance company and the fight to get them to pay. He was sad and furious. However, he was grateful that Heather had helped me get it sorted out.
“If there are any other places you want to see, just tell me and I’ll take you,” I said, grabbing my purse and the box and kicking the car door shut with my foot.
“I think I just want to be at home with you,” he told me. “And we have to get working on your happiness.”
“Well, before we find my happiness, I have to forge a bunch of cards and letters,” I said with a laugh. He was going to drive me nuts.
“I wish I could help you with that,” Steve said. “But… I can sit and watch you like I did when you paid bills. I believe you used to say that doing something tedious was far better when someone watched.”
“I believe I did say that,” I agreed with a smile. “It was some kind of bizarre validation that I’d done it if you saw me.”
“Well, seeing as I have no place to go, I’d be delighted to watch you do all the tedious things you have to do.”
“Much appreciated,” I said—and then froze.
Gideon sat on my front porch staring at me. I immediately felt my chest heat up, which meant a blush was sure to follow. What was he doing here?
“Well, alrighty then,” Steve said with a wolf whistle. “I think we might have found your happiness. Look at him. He looks like he wants to eat you alive. Daisy, he’s perfect.”
“Umm… Steve,” I squeaked, trying to stop him. He’d