A Spirited Gift

“That’s right.” He nodded. “The Bellamys were always being accused of witchcraft. What else did you dream?”

“That’s it. Like I said, I don’t know if it means anything or not.”

“Blast your hide! And you want me to trade my valuable information for that piece of fluff?” He couldn’t manage to pound his fist on the table—it never actually met the wood. But the salt and pepper shakers and napkins bounced up anyway.

“I guess that’s up to you. I told you what I have. How do you know your information will be any more valuable to me? I mean, let’s face it, half of what you’re seeing and hearing has got to be confusing for you. You probably don’t even realize what information you have.”

His entire form rose up from the chair to hang above the table. He looked like an angry giant. He put his hands on his hips and glared down at me. “You push my patience to the limit, girl, even if you are blood kin. Ye don’t realize who you’re dealing with.”

I ate some of the pancakes on my plate even though my hands were trembling. He was scary—I don’t think anyone would disagree with that. But I knew if I showed him that I was afraid, he’d take advantage of me. I had to at least pretend I had the upper hand, even though I wasn’t sure I did.

“You’re so sensitive,” I told him after another sip of juice. “I’m surprised you made it as a pirate at all. If I could hurt your feelings just by suggesting you might not know everything, what happened when someone actually challenged you to a fight?”

“I killed whoever challenged me!” His voice rattled the window pane behind me and made the floors creak upstairs.

I stood up and put my hands on my hips. “You might’ve been tough when you were alive—but you’re not anymore. Stop trying to scare me into doing what you want. It won’t work. Don’t forget—we’re blood kin and I think I may have some pirate in me. Be warned!”

He blasted out of the house, sending every electrical appliance crazy (more than they were already from the storm). The doors flew open, and the water turned on full force in the kitchen sink.

After turning off the water, I sat down at the table for a minute and tried to gather my wits. I had to talk with Shayla again. Despite our agreement, the ghost of Rafe Masterson and I were not compatible. I might have a nervous breakdown long before he could deliver any useful information to me or I could learn who the magistrate was who’d had him hanged.

Not wanting to be there if Rafe returned, I locked up the house and ran to Missing Pieces. I wasn’t sure if my father would be there or not. I called his name when I opened the shop door. The pillow and blanket were still on the burgundy brocade sofa, but there was no sign of him. The front door had been locked, so maybe he’d gone out for breakfast.

I didn’t want to get so attached that I began following him around. It wasn’t easy, but I had to keep my distance. I noticed with a smile that everything seemed to be in its place—he hadn’t stolen from me again. That was a good sign. Anyone could get desperate enough to do what he’d done.

I checked in with Nancy at town hall after locking up Missing Pieces again. Things had quieted down after the water and power were restored. There was an issue about garbage pickup—everyone needed to have trash removed and the trash company said they couldn’t come back until next week.

I fielded that call and finally convinced the company to begin trash pickup again the next day. It helped that their contract was up December 1. A little leverage goes a long way. Speedy trash pickup was one blemish Mad Dog Wilson couldn’t put on my mayor’s scorecard.

“Thanks, sweetie,” Nancy said. “Was it nice to have a hot shower this morning or what?”

“It was heaven. Is power on all over the island now?”

“There are a few places that were more heavily damaged—like Hatteras and Roanoke Island. The rest of us are in pretty good shape. And now we get garbage pickup too. You’re a great mayor!”

“Be sure to tell Mad Dog that,” I replied with a smile. “I’m headed over to the Blue Whale to see if I can help Kevin with anything. He had all those volunteers for the conference, but I think most of them will be working at their own homes and businesses today.”

“Speaking of which,” Nancy started, “I hope nothing was taken from the shop last night.”

Did she know about my father staying there? It was always a possibility. The Duck grapevine was a powerful force.

“Everything looked fine this morning. Why?”

“Tim picked up some vagrant who’d gotten into your shop and was sleeping there. I’m just glad he found him before you checked in there this morning.”

“Tim arrested someone in my shop?” I tried not to sound too surprised and concerned. My heart was pounding, wondering if everyone would find out that Danny Evans was my father. I reminded myself that the two events had nothing in common.