Plain Jane Read Free Page A

practice was thriving, too, but even if she had an associate, she wouldn’t play tennis. She was lucky to get to the gym once a month. Like him, she owned her own home but instead of grass, she had glorious, foot-high weeds. As for cooking—she could make a gourmet meal from freezer bags, cans, and boxes with the best of them. And if it could be microwaved—all the better. “I have a nice little house in Rayne. It’s on the town’s historical register. It has a ghost. And a dog ghost,” she blurted, then wondered what had possessed her to tell him that. She was nervous. Befuddled actually. Was it because he was so good-looking, or did his smooth confidence intimidate her? Even in high school, he’d been confident and good-looking, she reminded herself. And back then he wouldn’t have given you the time of day.
    Mike leaned across the table. “Ghosts? Are you putting me on? Tell me about them. I’ve always been interested in the paranormal.”
    Jane squirmed in her chair. Open mouth, insert foot, she thought. “Well, it’s just a rumor actually. The story goes that a young man fell in a well on the property, and his dog just sat and pined away for him until he died of starvation. To tell you the truth I haven’t seen them, although there are times when Olive gets spooked. ”
    â€œOlive? Your daughter?”
    â€œNo,” she chuckled. “My dog.”
    â€œI’d like to try to get a look at your ghosts, that is unless your significant other would object.”
    â€œNo, I don’t think Olive would mind,” she said, laughing lightly. “I live in the old Laroux house at the end of town. It used to be a rice plantation. You know the one, don’t you?”
    â€œThat’s where you live! My God, I tried to buy that house before I went into practice in Lafayette, but it was part of an estate and not for sale. It was pretty run-down as I recall, but I would have been willing to invest a few bucks in it had I been lucky enough to get it.”
    â€œBelieve me, it took more than a few bucks to get it so it was even habitable. It reminds me of that movie. You know, The Money Pit.” She felt her hat slip and settled it back on her head.
    â€œFor some reason I thought you’d head for N’awlins or points north after high school. I never thought you’d stay in Rayne.”
    He’d thought about her. “Why would you think that?” She looked up to see the hovering waiter. “We better order.” As Mike perused the menu, Jane gazed around at the restaurant. Tassels had been Mike’s choice, she’d just made the reservation. Obviously, her colleague liked fine things. The menu was pricey, the decor beautiful, the waiters discreet, and the tablecloths and napkins were a blend of linen and cotton. Everything the eye could see was burnished and polished. She didn’t see anyone she knew, but then who in Rayne would bother to travel twelve miles to Lafayette for lunch?
    â€œI’ll have the Cajun crab pie, French dressing, and a glass of house wine,” Jane said.
    â€œDitto,” Mike said, then waited until the waiter left before continuing their conversation. “How about I come by tonight? Today’s my short day.”
    â€œTonight?” She really hadn’t thought he was serious. “I—Well—Today’s my long day, so I won’t get home much before seven. If that’s not too late, then it’s okay with me.” Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of him coming to her house. She tried to ignore the feeling.
    â€œI’ll pick up some Chinese. Do you have beer?”
    â€œOf course I have beer. Doesn’t everyone?” Jane quipped.
    â€œYa never know. Now, tell me what this is all about. I like a free lunch as much as the next guy, but what do I have to do to earn it?”
    He certainly didn’t beat around the bush. Jane leaned back into her