“She was crying during the concertnotbecause she was having stage fright but because this was the first time she’d ever seen spirits that were her own age,” Ronan said softly.
Preston sighed. “I’m sorry I suggested that was what was going on with your daughter. Is she going to be able to cross them over like onGhost Whisperer?”
Ten snorted.Ghost Whispererhad been a blessing and a curse when it came to new clients who expected outcomes like on the show. “That’s what we’re hoping we can get done during lunch. We’ll let you know how it goes before we get back on the bus to go home.”
“I’ll come with you to the cafeteria. I’d like to be there to help in any way I can.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it, and so will Everly.” Ten grinned. “By the way, your father has been talking my ear off nonstop since you walked into the room. Ben is one of the proudest fathers I’ve ever spoken with.”
“Pop’s here?” Max managed a watery smile. “He was always my biggest fan. You and Ronan remind me of him with the way you parent your daughter.”
“I can’t think of a bigger compliment.” Ten snorted. “Not only is he going over all of your achievements from Little League to winning principal of the year, but he wants you to ask Ronan and me if we have any single friends.”
The principal blushed; even the tips of his ears reddened. “Geez, Dad.”
“We might know a person or two.” Ronan clapped the principal on the back. “Let’s get some grub, and we’ll see what’s what.”
Ten followed Max and Ronan out of the room. They’d only been chatting for a few minutes but were already thick as thieves. It wouldn’t be long until Fitzgibbon and Jude would join their merry band.
Stepping out of the classroom, Ten got a hint of Max’s future in Salem.Massachusetts, not New Hampshire. He’d keep that little nugget under his hat.
For now.
7
Ronan
Walking into the cafeteria, Ronan saw Jude shepherding Everly and Wolf through the lunch line. Fitzgibbon was right behind them with Aurora in his arms. He could hear Fitz trying to make the school food sound exciting but was failing. It was Wolf’s enthusiasm for the rectangular pizza and cups of chocolate pudding that turned the tide. Aurora selected the same foods as her friends.
From his spot in line with Max Preston, Ronan watched Jude and Fitz settle the kids at a table with some of their New Hampshire counterparts.
“Do you have the same gifts as Tennyson and Everly?” Max asked, reaching into the hopper to grab two cartons of milk.
Ronan grinned, nodding his head. “I did for about a week.”
“I don’t understand. Was it some kind of osmosis or something?” Max snickered.
“Last Halloween, I went downstairs to eat some of Everly’s peanut butter cups. I didn’t bother to turn on the lights in the kitchen and ended up tripping on one of her toys. I fell backward and hit my head on the tile floor. When I came to, I saw stars and my mother, who’s been dead for almost twenty years. For a few minutes, I thought I was dead too.”
Max’s eyes widened. “That sounds terrifying.”
“It was at first, but as I got used to having the ability to see and speak with spirits, it gave me a special insight when it came to Ten and Everly’s abilities. I have a better understanding for what they do, as well as the frustrations that come along with those gifts.” When the lunch lady asked Ronan what he wanted to eat, he pointed to the pizza, holding up two fingers for two slices, and declined the peas. Who the hell ate peas with pizza? He grabbed two puddings as well. After a second’s hesitation, he grabbed a third. Chocolate pudding was his favorite. Reaching the end of the line, he paid for his lunch and Max’s.
“Thanks, Ronan,” Max said as they made their way toward the table with Jude, Cope, and Fitz. “Why did you only have your gift for a week?”
“That’s a good question.” Ronan had thought long and hard about this very thing for months on end. “We were working on the cold case murder of a young woman, and for whatever reason, I was the only one the victim showed herself to. Ten couldn’t see her, and neither could Cope.”
“Fascinating,” Max said, his voice filled with wonder.
“We solved the murder and went to arrest the killer. She wasn’t too keen on being caught after all those years and fought like an angry mother bear to escape. I got kicked in the head, and when I woke up in the hospital, my gift was gone.” Ronan could cry just thinking about how he hadn’t been able to say goodbye to his mother one last time.
“Do you miss it?” Max asked as they sat at the table with the others.
“Miss what? Jude asked, reaching for one of Ronan’s puddings.
“My gift.” Ronan snatched the dessert away before Jude could grab it for himself. “I miss being able to see and speak to my mother and another special friend of ours, but other than that, I’m happy to leave the ghost whispering to my husband, daughter, and Cope.” Ronan meant every word. It had been an interesting experience to walk in Ten’s shoes for a few days, one he wasn’t anxious to repeat.
“Have you had kids in this school system that have the same kinds of gifts?” Cope asked.
