The Tidings - [Ghost Huntress 0.5 - A Christmas Novella] Read Free Page B

come. What else do you have to do?” Celia asks.
    My mouth falls open and I feel my eyes grow wide in shock and awe.
    “God, Kendall,” she stumbles out. “I didn’t mean that. I’m a total idiot. I meant that Patrick won’t be back yet and it’ll be good to have your company. Everyone’s going to be there: Taylor, Becca, Shelby-Nicole, Jason… it wouldn’t be the same without you.”
    I smile weakly at her as I set Kaitlin’s gown on the table. “You’re hopeless,” I say.
    She lifts a brow at me. “How so?”
    “You are so in love with Jason Tillson.”
    Red stains her cheeks, then she confesses, “Totally. Just like you’re in love with Patrick Lynn.”
    I’ll give her that one.
    “Say you’ll come,” she prods.
    “I’ll try. Okay? We’ll see if my mood has improved by then.”
    She stands and laughs at me. “I’m sure there’s a pill your mom, the nurse, can give you for your Bah Humbuggery.”
    “Whatev….”
    As Celia exits out the back, the front door of the house bursts open and a melee of feet on the hardwood floor sounds out. My ears are treated to the near-bleeding sensation of the incessant chatter and squealing of fifteen-year-old girls. They pound their way through the dining room and into the kitchen: six sweaty soccer players covered in mud and dirt, now delving through our refrigerator for water and energy drinks.
    “Kaitlin!” I shout. “Mom’s told you not to track through the house after a soccer game.”
    “But we won, Kendall! You don’t understand,” she squeals. “Like, this was the game. Brittney scored the last goal and then I flew in front of our goal to save the game.” Underneath the caked-on red Georgia mud on my sister’s face, I can make out her triumphant grin.
    She moves as if to hug me, but then pulls back.
    “That’s awesome,” I say, still correcting her. “You still don’t need to be in the house like that.”
    She lowers her eyes. “You’re right. Sorry. Hey, you want to see the trophy?”
    I wave off her accomplishment. “Not right now. I’m busy fixing your dress.”
    I don’t need my psychic abilities to read the disappointment on her face. Is she actually reaching out to me? I’m not sure since it’s been so long.
    We both begin to speak. My words are heard first. “Why don’t you guys go out on the deck and I’ll bring the water and stuff out.”
    A weak smile crosses her face. “Thanks, Kendall.” She turns to herd her crew toward the screened-in porch out back.
    Gathering an armload of bottled water and a pack of Double Stuff Oreos, I swing through the door and place the refreshments on the table for Kaitlin and her friends. I know I should be all, like, big sister proud of the little brat and her accomplishment, but it only adds to how everything is all about her these days.
    Kaitlin.
    The real Moorehead daughter.
    Not the adopted one.
    Not like anyone necessarily treats me differently. I just feel different of late.
    “Oh crap! I need to get going,” Kaitlin’s friend, Brittney says with a pout on her face.
    “Why?” Kaitlin asks.
    Brittney tosses a long, white box that she’s been holding up on the table. “I’m supposed to go with my mom and these other ladies to put flowers on the graves at the cemetery for the Daughters of the American Revolution.”
    “You can’t leave. We’re celebrating!” Kaitlin pushes the container toward me. “Kendall can do it.”
    I pop to attention. “Excuse me?”
    “Sure,” my sister says. “You’re all into ghosts and spirits and stuff. Why don’t you go do the flowers for Brittney so she can stay here with us?”
    “Please, Kendall,” Brittney whines, followed by a course of other pleas from the girls.
    Seriously? First, I’m Kaitlin’s seamstress. Now I’m her florist? I stop my annoyance for a minute and think this through. I need to be the bigger person, the big sis, and help out. Kaitlin’s got her posse celebrating with her, so I should give them space and