Chapter Nine
Speechless, Keegan stared at Echo. She could only want a Ouija board for one reason – a séance. Undoubtedly, there would be real ghosts involved. He’d already had enough of the supernatural. Anything more might send him leaping off buildings again. On a brighter note, Echo's imagination and compassion amazed him, and he loved that she thought to lessen Smith's anxiety by lightening the mood. He found it cute, too, that she asked for a Ouija board as if every home had one.
"I don't have a Ouija board," he said behind a smile.
She frowned. "No? We need to get one. Are the stores open on Sunday?"
"Yes." Maybe if he didn't appear too enthusiastic she'd forget the idea.
Smith perked up. "The toy store in Bristol Mall would sell them." He rubbed his hands together and grinned. “A séance. I can’t wait."
Obviously, Smith hadn't thought long or hard on the good and bad of summoning spirits. For one, this wasn't a children's game; not this time. For another, these ghosts would not be a child's interpretation or imagination hard at work. He hadn't forgotten about whom he shared the cottage with from time to time, but Henry and Lena were friends, not ghosts.
Keegan voiced his concern, but Echo would hear none of what he said. Instead, she appealed to him by reminding him of her identity with a gentle rib. "Oh, ye, of little faith."
Oh, he had faith all right. That couldn't be questioned.
"I'll get your soul back for you," she said.
Keegan, like Smith a moment ago, perked up. "Why didn't you say so?" he said, grabbing his car keys off the Shanxi walnut wine table and heading to the door. "We'll pick up the pizzas on our way back." Suddenly, he felt ravenous.
Echo, with Smith close at her heels, raced to the door. "I'll zap us there."
"I'd rather drive." Keegan worried about what damage speed travel caused to his body and to Smith's, too.
She shrugged. "Driving to get from one point to another is an unusual concept for me, but I'm open to trying new things." She grimaced. "There're those words again – new things. Arggh."
Keegan’s brow furrowed. At times, she could be as confusing as lawyers. Not that he was complaining; he found it endearing. He waited for her to explain.
She gave him a sidelong glance. "Until I met you, I never gave a moment's thought to change. I love my life just like it is. You're a bad influence."
Keegan grinned. He couldn't help himself, though he understood her dilemma and knew what curves life could throw. He liked that he was Echo's curve.
"Don't look so smug." She swatted his arm.
Not until Smith cleared his throat did Keegan remember they weren't alone. For a moment, it had been only the two of them. A glorious moment, one he wanted never to end.
Smith grabbed the keys from Keegan's fingers. "I'll drive."
Keegan mentally crossed himself when they arrived at the mall intact. Smith gave new meaning to record time, and had obviously taken Echo at her word that she couldn't wait to get out of that pink leisure suit.
He experienced a moment of jealousy, then chastised himself for the detestable emotion. Smith was his friend; his best friend. The words caught in his throat and threatened his windpipe. Best friend…friend…friend…. He coughed and sputtered.
Smith tapped his back. "Something the matter, bro?"
Keegan cleared his throat but couldn't trust himself not to say what he thought of him. My God, man, what are you thinking? That isn’t you. It’s the devil inside. Pull yourself together.
He shook his head and took a deep breath, clearing his mind. "Why don't we shop for the Ouija board first?" he asked, shifting the attention away from him. He doubted he would have the stamina for more shopping after outfitting Echo. He had no first-hand experience shopping with women, but he'd heard stories and equated the ordeal with a root canal.
With a child's excitement, Smith led them through hordes of Sunday shoppers and those looking to idle away a few hours. Keegan marveled at Smith's about-face. He shouldn’t have. Smith possessed an uncanny aptitude for making the best of any situation and the ability to overcome what would overwhelm and conquer a lesser man. Smith had been taken by surprise when he came face to face with the tortures of the damned. Then he’d thought on it, suffered under its weight, dealt with it, and moved on, but not before tucking the experience in a place easily accessible. If ever he questioned his humanity, that horrible memory would serve to keep him stabilized.
Minutes later, with the Ouija board in hand, Echo directed Keegan and Smith toward a boutique catering to a woman's every need and to some she didn't know she had.
Inside Bust 'n Bodice, a sign boasted 'For the Young and the Young at Heart'. Echo figured she qualified on both counts. When she suggested the men go for a coffee while she shopped, they declined and posed good arguments, as lawyers were wont to do, for staying together: We'll be close at hand if you need help. What happens if the demons find Keegan and you're nowhere around? Would it be wise to let the local police become involved?
With equally good responses to their concerns, she decided not to argue, realizing they needed to feel needed. She was more than capable of looking after herself. She'd been doing it for centuries. And she wouldn't let anything happen to Keegan, nor would she separate herself from her charge if any chance existed that endangered his life.
Besides, any pride she suffered giving in to them was more than made up for by the satisfaction that settled on their faces when she let them think they'd won. Even new-age men adhered to old-age ideas.
Her tolerance and diplomacy extended only so far, though. Keegan's well-being was her first priority, and if his ego would suffer because she chose to protect him rather than the other way around, she would, without question.
Though the men had insisted on accompanying her, they looked as if they were being taken to slaughter. "I'll make this as painless as possible for you, boys," she said.
Keegan smiled. "Take your time."
She believed he sincerely meant that and turned to watch Smith.
With the newly-purchased Ouija board dangling in a plastic bag from his fingers, he walked the store, fingering lingerie, thumbing his nose at hoodies, smiling at leggings, and panting at bikini-clad mannequins, all in good fun.
From there, she checked out Keegan, who stood to one side, looking dapper in navy trousers and navy shirt and uncomfortable in his surroundings. He was feng to Smith's shui and, hot damn, the guy was yummy.
A clerk with purple spiked hair and wearing a plaid mini-skirt, tank top, and knee socks bounced toward them. With eyes for only Keegan, she asked, "May I help you?"
Echo became jealous. It was an altogether unpleasant moment, especially when she envisioned ripping the piercing from Mini-Skirt's nose.
Keegan, obviously blind to the clerk's come-on, said with an award-winning smile, "A complete wardrobe for the lady."
Echo quickly overcame her surprise. Jeans and a T-shirt was all she needed. She looked at him. He merely smiled, like he was privy to information she wasn't.
She noticed Mini-Skirt sizing up Keegan. Echo took great satisfaction in the clerk's disappointment when she hooked her arm around his.
This world intrigued and interested her.
Mini-Skirt looked over Echo, then gestured to the other clerk, a lanky, jean-clad, bustier-wearing black-haired woman of indeterminable age. She clomped toward them on platform shoes.
“Size zero and warm colors for the lady. Hip, chic, classy, and fun," Mini-Skirt said.
The clerks buzzed around the store yanking clothes from hangars and shelves with Keegan keeping a close watch on their choices, agreeing with most of the prospective purchases and declining politely when he didn't.
Watching him, Echo concluded that he showed more interest in clothing her than regaining possession of his soul. Didn't Keegan realize that he breathed today by the grace of Destiny?
Echo's hand brushed Keegan's. The touch tingled her fingertips, surprising her. She sought his eyes, wondering i
f he’d experienced the same reaction.
He smiled; a knowing smile. She believed he did.
Emotion overwhelmed her when she considered the amount of money Keegan was about to spend on her, knowing her time with him was temporary, making his expenditure a waste. The mission could come to an end after the séance, maybe sooner. In that event, she wouldn't need anything more than what she presently wore, but she so wanted to rid herself of the horrendous leisure suit.
Keegan was a smart man. With or without a soul, he would recognize their time together was brief – nearing an end, in fact. She doubted he knew something she didn't. Why, then, was he buying her an entire wardrobe?
Looking at the matter from a different angle, maybe she should implement his take of the situation and consider the possibility of her staying longer. But, then she'd be opening herself to disappointment.
Keegan pointed to a leather cropped aviator jacket hanging from the rafters and said, "The lady will have one of those."
"That's our only one," Platform Shoes said. "We could order her one."
"Is it her size?" he asked.
“Uh-huh."
Smith stepped to Keegan. When the clerk didn't move, he said, "You heard the gentleman. Get the lady the jacket."
Echo watched the exchange with interest, studying Smith's expression. Oh my. Beneath that fun-loving exterior lay an authoritative man. Only an idiot would argue. She was taken with how coolly the order came from him and how naturally he had come to his friend's aid.
Not that Keegan couldn't look after himself. He surely could, but Smith saw a potential situation happening, determined what was required, and in a matter of seconds, delivered without hesitation. That was what friends – true friends – did for each other.
She held her breath while the clerk deliberated.
Platform Shoes nodded, muttered a, “Yes, Sir,” and grabbed the stepladder.
As Echo had hoped she would, the clerk proved smart. Good girl. Echo commiserated with the clerk, and thought about saying something to her before she remembered her ogling Keegan and his ample assets.
When the jacket was securely bagged, Echo expelled a deep breath, feeling thrilled for the acquisition. She had eyed the jacket when she stepped inside the shop, but wouldn't presume or suggest the purchase. Keegan was full of surprises. She liked that.
She placed her hand against her heart and mouthed a thank-you. By his wide smile, Keegan seemed quite pleased with himself. She should call a halt to the extravagance, but couldn't. He would be too disappointed. She suspected he had an ulterior motive. Later, she would tell him that nothing could tie her to him, but only when the time was right.
At the counter, Echo looked over her purchases and agreed with the selections of the clerks. Platform Shoes, who Echo wouldn't have considered smart or efficient, turned out to be just that.
"Had enough of those jokes, huh?"
"Huh?" she asked, hooking her lip.
Echo pointed to Platform Shoes blond roots. "Those dumb blond jokes."
"There are dumb blond jokes? I did not know that."
Echo smiled. She turned and watched Keegan and Smith looking relaxed when they shouldn't be. Maybe they didn't get out much. If the reason for her being in Bristol Harbor wouldn't keep intruding, she could think this was a normal day in a normal life.
Was He testing her? Was that why He’d chosen her for this assignment?
If He is, I’ve failed the test miserably. Twelve hours into the mission and already I’ve violated protocol several times. Beelzebub.
"Would you like to try anything on?" Platform Shoes asked.
"No." Echo wouldn't hold up Keegan and Smith any longer than necessary. "Anything that doesn't fit, I'll return."
"Keep your receipt. Thirty-day refund policy."
That was a month longer than Echo would stay. Of course, she still needed to close the toran. Maybe that would keep her here longer.
Platform Shoes rang in the purchases. "Are you all involved?" she asked, her eyes darting from Smith to Keegan and back to Smith. “I only ask because they both look love-struck. What I wouldn’t do to have two men drool over me.”
Echo looked over her shoulder at the boys and winked. They rewarded her with wide smiles. She asked, "What do you think?"
For some unexplainable reason, she didn't want this girl anywhere near either of the men and was overcome by a feeling of possessiveness.
What is the matter with me?
Oh my. Oh my.
Keegan and Smith weren't new pairs of shoes that she didn't want anyone to try on. Nevertheless, she gave the girl a look that clearly told her to set her sights on some other unsuspecting men.
Echo didn't want to be with Smith the way she was with Keegan, so she shouldn't mind a woman's interest in him, but she did. Jealousy. What a testy emotion. She understood how it could drive a person to commit despicable acts.
"Throw in some of those jasmine-scented candles and lavender bath salts, would you?" Echo asked. "The boys do love their bubble baths."
"Damn. You're one lucky woman."
"Luck doesn’t have anything to do with it."
Echo would certainly pay for those lies. That didn't stop her from making more, though. "I cast a spell on them." She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Still, her eyes filled with joyous tears.
Platform Shoes eyed Keegan's groin. Again.
Oh, that was too much. He’s mine, Echo wanted to scream. She was in love with Keegan.
Maybe Smith, too.