Wanted: One Ghost Read Free Page B

was a part of them.
    Her Aunt Vickie said it was a strong part of her natural aura. It would hit her and she would find herself sensing pieces of time from the past, represented in the object of a certain time period. Going into museums was a nightmare. Any artifacts not under glass would set off her senses to their history, and she’d lose herself in another time. Her ability made for great details on historical papers and theses but gave her such a pinch physically.
    Kings Mill dated back to 1740, a time prior to the American Revolution. Many of these houses and streets, the very air of the town, maintained the atoms and molecules making up its history. The lingering energy of the past surrounded her, attaching to her skin, so she’d soaked the essence of every sensory object she experienced. Scents, sights, but mostly touch affected her power. Possessing the gift of psychometry made her impulsive sometimes. Like now, she wanted to reach out and touch the man’s costume because of its authenticity.
    Oh hell, April, who are you kidding? You want to touch the man. She shoved her hands deeper into her coat pockets to keep her itchy fingers at bay .
    Her guide had stopped talking and was staring at her. Chagrined, she realized once again, she had no clue what he’d said. She shook herself, releasing the empathic connection with him.
    “Are you well? My apologies for rambling on. I don’t often have the opportunity to converse, or have a captive audience. You must think me a bore. You came for a ghost tour and here I am giving you a lecture.”
    “Oh, please.” She batted her hand in the air. “I’m a historian, remember? Lectures and tours of historical pasts is what I live and breathe.” April laughed self-consciously.
    He was the first guy in quite a while to impress her with knowledge, not just his looks. “I find it refreshing to hear someone as excited about history as I am. My ex-boyfriend, Jason, was the only one who understood my love of history. One of the things we shared an interest in was a love for the past. We were both history geeks.” She stiffened with embarrassment after relaying such information to a complete stranger.
    He doesn’t care about your love life or lack thereof, she berated herself.
    But he belied her observation when her colonial guide grinned at her with amused fascination. “Really…history geeks ?”
    Noticing the familiar sign down the street on the main corner of town, she tilted her head in the direction of the café. Hopefully she could make up for her blundering, social-idiot appearance.
    “The coffee shop is still open. Would you care for the cup I promised earlier? We can continue our conversation inside, with a latte or cappuccino.”
    An awkward moment of silence followed. The bells in the Episcopal Church toned quarter to the hour. Her guide went completely still and stared at her with those intense eyes. His lips quirked in an odd half smile again, setting her heart to race. He looked towards the church further down the street.
    “I appreciate the offer, but I will have to decline. I cannot stay much longer.”
    “Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take up your time. I’m sure you have to report back to the store before heading home.”
    She held out her gloved hand again. He didn’t respond and only looked down on her hand with a sense of sadness. What was wrong with this guy? Why didn’t he want to touch her? She didn’t have the mange.
    Tucking both hands back into her coat pockets, April blushed.
    “You didn’t take up my time, Dr. Branford. I’m delighted to talk with you but I must take my leave. Perhaps we’ll meet another time.” He touched the brim of his hat in salute and turned, walking away from her.
    April wanted to capture his entire look—for historical purposes, of course. “Wait! Can I take a picture of you? I love your authenticity. Not many people can pull it off so well.”
    He turned around as he crossed to the other side of the