Wherever She Goes (Psychic Seasons, ReGina Welling [novels to improve english TXT] 📗

“You did fine. Better than fine, really. I usually poke myself in the eye with my mascara brush.”

“Liquid eyeliner.” Kat’s laugh rang out and Amethyst cast a sidelong glance at her aura; it was lighter than before, with flickers of yellow. “That stuff is just plain evil and it tickles.”

“Are you getting overwhelmed with all these new experiences? You know you don’t have to try and make up for lost time all at once.”

“I know, but it feels like I’ve been in a time warp and I might never catch up.” Kat’s hands twisted nervously but Amethyst could tell she wasn’t even aware it was happening. Taking one hand off the wheel, she reached over to still their hectic motion and to soothe. “Then you turn to your friends and your family. You talk it out, let us know how you are feeling and you trust yourself to be strong. You’ve got this.”

Turning her hand to clasp Amethyst’s, Kat said, “You make me cry, I’ll end up looking like a raccoon.” The pep talk was one she hadn’t even realized she needed.

In the back seat—her presence shielded from the two women—Estelle felt tears run down her own face. Brushing them away, she slowly let down the barrier and released a small boost of energy causing the door buzzer to sound. She needn’t have bothered, both women felt her there as soon as the shield began to fall.

Amethyst eyed the ghost in the rear view mirror, “Hello, Estelle. What brings you out on this fine night? Have you been eavesdropping long?” While Kat swiveled as far as the seat belt let her.

“Popped in to provide a little moral support but I can see you don’t need me.” She sniffed a little then turned to Kat, “I’m so proud of you.”

“For doing what? It’s mostly because of you that my life has changed for the better. All I did was let you talk to Julie.”

Kat remembered that first day when Estelle had just barged in and taken over. She’d been so scared and then amazed because she had seen the world, even if through the eyes of a ghost, for the first time in years. “Technically, I didn’t even do that much since you never asked permission.”

“I’ve apologized for that.” Estelle had the decency to look chagrined.

“Well, stop it. If you had, I would have run like a scared rabbit and nothing would have changed. You’ve inspired me to be more impetuous—which is why, tomorrow, I’m going car shopping. How’s that for moving forward?”

Amethyst got misty-eyed for a second time. Estelle and Julius had had a profound impact on her own life. Thanks to their meddling, she and Reid had gotten a second chance at making their marriage work. Catching Estelle’s eye in the mirror, she mouthed thank you and watched as the spirit brushed away a tear and faded from sight.

“Are you meeting Zack here tonight?”

“No, why? No. There’s nothing going on between us.”

Now that was a bet Amethyst could finally win. “He’ll be here.”

“I doubt it.”

“Ten bucks says he will. Ten more says you’ll dance with him.”

“I can promise that’s not going to happen so even if he shows, I’ll break even. You’re on.”

_,.-'~'-.,_

“This looks nothing like I imagined it,” Kat shouted to be heard over the sheer volume created by two very drunk men singing a nearly unrecognizable rendition of “We Will Rock You.”

Hanging lights dimly illuminated booths and tables in great contrast with the harsh spots that fell on the small stage and glinted off the shining chrome rings of the drum kit.

Somehow, the room seemed both smaller and larger than she had expected as full as it was with laughing people. The sharp tang of beer and bodies overheated from a turn on the dance floor assailed her nostrils the same way it always did but being able to see the press of humanity made the experience richer.

Making an effort not to seem too eager, too new, Kat finally pasted what she hoped was a good approximation of a bored expression on her face and sat back to sip something fruity that barely tasted alcoholic in nature.

During the first break, Kat lost her first bet with Amethyst when Zack walked up behind her and greeted everyone at the table. Somehow, in all of the scooting over, he ended up seated right next to her and she just knew Gustavia had maneuvered her again.

His obvious effort to keep from touching her was so distracting, she forgot she’d passed her normal limit of two drinks and was just starting on her third when Gustavia grabbed her arm and shouted, “We’re up next,” into her ear.

“Oh, okay.” Her toe caught in the rung of the chair as she stepped from the table and she nearly stumbled until Zack reached out a steadying hand.

Face flaming red, she mumbled, “Thanks,” and followed the others to the stage where, embarrassment forgotten, she accepted the bass from a man she had met several times before but had never seen before and flung the strap over her shoulder.

Gustavia launched into the first riff of Barracuda and Kat nearly missed her cue. Nothing felt exactly as it should. Not her hand on the neck of the instrument or the placement of her fingers on the strings. Finally, she closed her eyes and that did the trick. She had learned to play by feel rather than by sight so the darkness brought her back to the familiar.

When Julie launched into the first notes, Kat’s eyes popped open. She really wanted to watch. The distraction of seeing the performance was enough to make her forget her earlier awkwardness and finally lose herself in the music.

Until she caught sight of the crowd. All those eyes. Staring. Watching. Her stomach flipped then flopped. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Kat closed her eyes again to try and connect back with the music, to block out