A Reason (A Reason, Season, Lifetime Series) by CL Champlain Page B

says he loves you, he is really proud of you, and no he doesn’t remember anything other than standing there one minute and then it was just over. He doesn’t remember getting shot, any pain or anything. He is saying how much he appreciates that I can help you two talk, finally, and.” I stop to catch my breath and try not to cry. “And he told me welcome to the family because I’m perfect for you.”
    That last part was a little embarrassing to say, but when the dead talk, I listen. They hadn’t talked since his Dad died, they both needed this.
    Ryan stands up, and I can tell by the red around his eyes that he’s crying a little, and he’s been rubbing his eyes to try to stop. He pulls me into his arms and holds me. Tightly but not bone crushing, more like a treasured hold.
    “Thank you. I’m sure that was really hard for you to do. To tell me what you can do, and show me. You really are my lost puzzle piece, my reason. ”
    I blow out a shuddering breath, trying not to cry out loud. “I was a little nervous that you would think I was a freak or something. Your Dad seems really nice.”
    I hear his dad tell me he has to go. I nod and I feel the room get a little warmer when he’s gone. “He had to go for now, but he’ll be back when he can. He is really proud of you.”
    “Do you see a lot of ghosts? Like, all the time?”
    “No, not always. Usually only ones I know, or if there is a special connection. I almost died when I was little and had that infection, that’s when it started. I remember when my great grandmother died, it was so hard to see and hear her all of the time. She was really angry because her stuff didn’t go to who she wanted it to go to. She used to yell and have fits, and I couldn’t yell back at her because I was seven. Church is hard, being attached to a graveyard and on holy ground, I see and hear a lot of them there, and I feel their emotions. That sucks.”
    “Wow. I can’t imagine that. So, can you feel people’s emotions too, or just ghosts?”
    “I can feel some emotions, yeah. I’m really good at telling if someone is lying or not, I can sense it, feel it from them. I can tell you if someone is really sick or going to die soon. I can feel extreme emotions pretty easy, other emotions I have to touch the person or be close to them. If I’m not home and my father hurts Eva, I can sometimes sense that she needs help.”
    “Can you sense what I’m feeling?”
    “Um, well I wonder if that’s partly why I was always fighting my attraction to you. I may have been feeling what you felt and struggling with it. But, yes, I can feel quite a bit coming from you. That only makes it harder to stop kissing you.” I feel myself blush.
    Ryan puts one hand under my chin to make me look up into his eyes. “Thank you for trusting me with all of this. I know this couldn’t have really been easy for you, but I am so glad you trust me this much. I am glad we can be friends, and work on more. I hope a lot more, because I think my dad is right.”
    “About which part? Obviously he was right about the gun, I already took care of that part.”
    “You are perfect for me.” He leans down to kiss me, and I can feel both of our emotions at once. It’s a little overwhelming, imagine double the butterflies. “Sleep with me tonight, please?”
    My mouth drops open, and I struggle to think to form any sort of sentence.
    “I don’t mean sex, Emma. I mean just let me hold you. Let’s just stay up and cuddle and talk, really talk. We both have this huge pull towards each other. You just saw my dead father, and talked to him. I don’t want to let you go.”
    “I would love that, but won’t your mom freak out?”
    “Maybe? But if we’re both completely dressed and the door is open, she should be fine with it. She trusts me, because I’ve earned her trust. I tell my mom everything, other than the one time I drank, I’ll tell you about that after we get ready for bed, and yes I did buy condoms