Sweeter Than Candy (The Davenports 1)

“See. I told you we should’ve gone.” Trisha glares at Clara who laughs.

“You’re on your own there. I like to be scared. But the paranormal in real life is a subject I have zero interest in having a one-on-one experience with,” Clara answers.

“You believe?” This multi-faceted woman intrigues me.

“That there are things out there we A, don’t understand, and B, should probably leave alone? Yes. Don’t you?”

“I’d like to. Maybe that’s why it fascinates me so much.” I shrug.

“It’s the attachment factor that scares me. I don’t want to leave a location with anything.” Clara shudders.

“Have you ever had a paranormal experience?” I study her face.

“Yes. Have you?”

“None I felt strongly enough about to consider proof.”

“You know what they say. Be careful what you wish for. ’Cause you just might get it.” Trisha wags her eyebrows up and down comically.

“Meet a member of the Cincinnati Paranormal Society.” Clara gestures toward her friend.

“Seriously? That’s so bad ass,” Micah whispers in awe. “Do you go on ghost hunts?”

“We do take on cases. I’ve been a member for the past three years, and I’ve seen first-hand what spirits are capable of. Whatever a person may believe, there is another realm we can’t see, and more that comes after we move on from this plane.”

I swear I see anime hearts form in Micah’s hazel-colored eyes as he gazes at the redhead.

“We’ve lost him now. He’s going to pester her with a million questions.” Ever since our parents died, Micah has sought out the unexplainable. His deep desire is to know without uncertainty our parents are in a better place. I don’t begrudge him this desire. I’d like the reassurance myself. I’m reminded of the loss I’ve suffered. My heart aches. I can see Holly’s face in my mind. Her tan skin glows with health, not the pale waif struggling to breathe as she lost her battle with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I knew the risks. The hereditary disease would only worsen with time. It severely limited her ability to do things, and yet she managed to be so full of life and positivity.

Her faith carried her through every challenge right until she died. I wanted to believe. I attended church with her, because it made her happy. Hell, I wanted the peace she got. However, I could never reconcile a God who’d let so many good people die yo

ung, while others who squandered their potential lived on. The ‘everything happens for a reason’ line didn’t jive with me.

I push away the past. I’m here to live in the moment and enjoy myself. Clearing my throat, I refocus on her.

“It’s okay. She loves to talk ‘shop’.” Clara uses air quotes.

“She’ll have an avid listener.”

We slowly peruse the booths as the two walk slightly ahead of us, engaged in conversation.

“It seems the universe is determined to place us together.” I test the waters.

“Hmm. You don’t seem too upset about that.”

“I was serious when I asked you to the movies the last time. It’s obvious we have similar interests.” I shrug. I want to let it go, but I can’t. The nagging feeling inside of me won’t let me rest until I’ve gained friendship and approval. Maybe it’s been too long since I’ve had a decent challenge. Maybe you like her. I bat the foolish notion down. I can’t. I don’t know the woman. And you want to change that.

“Well now that I know you like horror, I could be persuaded. I’ve wanted to go to see the Hitchcock films being played at the Esquire.”

The small indie theater features themed movie nights and indie films along with the more recent releases.

“Wait. They show Hitchcock?” I’ve never head about that.

“Yup. Last I checked, they were working their way through his most popular movies.”

“We should figure out the times and set a date,” I suggest.

“Sounds good to me.” Her easy acceptance relaxes the odd tension that wound up tight inside of me.