Chapter 8:

Three weeks later I was sitting at my desk staring at the window. My BOS was open to the pages detailing a handfasting. I hadn't touched my book since I dealt with Leland. I know that there is a presence around me that keeps opening my book to the handfasting. The problem is I don't know who it is and Melinda hasn't seen anyone around me.

"Leah?" Rick's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"Mmh?" I hummed looking at him as he came into my view.

"Handfasting? Who are you doing that for?" He questioned. I sighed.

"I'm not. It keeps opening to this spot and I don't know who is trying to contact me." Rick's brows rose in confusion. "I've already asked Melinda. She hasn't seen anyone."

"Interesting." I smiled at his tone. "Well are you hungry?"

I laughed. "Always."

"Good. Melinda is having a shindig at her place."

"Can I talk to the two of you?" Melinda asked a few hours later. We were sitting in her backyard. Delia, Ned and Eli were laughing over a joke Jim told them.

"Sure." I said as she led us into the house. She seemed anxious about something. "What's up?"

"It's about Kate." She said.

"Whose that?" I was confused. I don't know any Kate's.

"How is she back?" Rick asked. "I thought she crossed over."

"She did. Sometimes they come back. It seems she's trying to tell you something." Melinda said looking at her hands.

"Who is she?" I asked.

"My dead wife." Rick said after a moment.

"Your dead wife is here?" I asked. "Wait, dead wife? Why haven't I heard about her?"

"It never came up. She crossed over seven years ago." Rick said getting worked up.

"I'm not mad about you having a dead wife," I said, "but we will; talk about it later."

"She's the one whose been opening your book." Melinda said. "Yes Kate, I'm trying to tell them."

"Demanding as ever Kate." Rick said like it was totally normal to talk to her. That threw me for a loop.

"She is giving her blessing for you to have a life with Leah." Melinda said.

"I don't need a ghosts permission on who I have a life with." I said. I was offended that a ghost thought she had a say in my relationship.

"No, but it's her way of saying she's letting go and wants me to fully move on." Rick said with a half-smile.

"Well great for you Rick, but I just finished dealing with a controlling ex who tried to control me from beyond the grave. Now your dead wife is here trying to tell me to do a handfasting?" I said getting agitated.

"Leah, she's not trying to control us. She's just-"

"Save it Rick. I'm not having this conversation now." I said heading to the front door. Rick followed.

"Wait Leah. Please let me explain to you what's going on."

"I know Melinda sees ghosts, Rick. Maybe you have more unfinished business with this Kate then you thought. Deal with it because I am not competing with a ghost. I dealt with mine so I could try for you." I said leaving.

A car stopped next to me as I stopped at a corner. I was trying to talk myself out of running and disappearing from Grandview.

"Leah." Jim's voice called out to me. I looked at him before crossing the street. He followed in his car. I was not I the mood to talk. Leah get in. I'll drive you wherever you want me to." He said catching my attention again.

"Why would you do that?" I asked looking at him.

"Help out a friend?"

"Rick is more your friend then I am." I said rolling my eyes.

"Yes, but in the time you've been here I've gotten to know you and consider you my friend too."

"What if I want to be dropped off at the bus station?"

"Sure." I got in the truck.

Stopping at the bus station Jim parked his truck before turning it off. With a deep breath Jim looked at me.

"I won't pretend to understand what you and Melinda go through with what you do. But what I do know is how Rick feels. He is so in love with you, like I am with Mel. I also see the way you look at Rick. It's the same look Mel has when she looks at me and how Delia looks at Tim." I looked out of the window. "I'm not defending Rick for not being open about his past, that's on him, but I am asking to not let this be the reason you leave. It's not just Rick you'd be leaving behind."

"I know. I have my own demon's I'm dealing with too." I said getting out of the truck and crossing the street. I sat on a bench watching the street. Jim didn't leave, probably waiting for Melinda or Rick to join him.