Bitterroot Crossing by Tess Oliver

collection of kitten magnets and Bobby’s drawings fell to the floor. I looked down at my shirt then stared into his face. “Let go of my shirt. Now.” He released his grip and stepped back.
        My mom stood and nearly tiptoed over to us. “Sweetie, why didn’t you tell us Zedekiah was back?”
        “Why, has he been here?”
        Dad sneered at her. “See I told you he knew all about it.” Now his sneer faced me. “Go look out back.”
        I walked to the back door and glanced out to the backyard. The two car garage that once stood there was now just a pile of smoldering ashes.
        “The door to the garage was wide open,” Mom said in a shaky voice. “The gang came by and just rolled a ball of fire in there as if they were bowling.” She giggled nervously.
        Dad shoved my shoulder. “Well, what do you have to say, Nick?”
        I turned and nearly clashed shoulders with him as I passed. “The only thing I’ve got to say is that I’m damn hungry and your great-grandfather is an even bigger asshat than you.”
     
     
    Chapter 14
     
        I shouldn’t have been so happy about the cancelled school day, but I couldn’t help myself. And to think just weeks ago I was thrilled with the prospect of attending high school. When I’d heard the sirens down below alerting everyone that school was closed for the day, I jumped right out of bed and threw on my favorite pair of shorts. Apparently there had been just too much paranormal shenanigans in town for the citizens to deal with.
        It was another crystal blue day with the promise of warm sunlight. I grabbed my book and my latest needlepoint, a portrait of Jasper sitting proudly in front of the fireplace, and headed to the back steps. Even this late in the year, the top step received direct light.
        Nana was still in bed. She’d worked herself into a headache after the mayor’s visit. I moved stealthily through the house so as not to wake her.
        I was halfway through Jasper’s ear when I heard Mandy’s whinny from the barn. It meant she was finished with breakfast and ready to be turned out. The mare was already pacing when I got there. “Hold on, girl. I’ll get you out.” Mandy was the kind of horse who needed no halter. I just opened her stall door and she trotted obediently out to her pasture. I returned to my porch and sat.
        Dry leaves crunching under footsteps made me look up from my work. It was Nick. He smiled and instantly my fingers trembled. I put down my needlework before I stabbed myself. “I didn’t hear you pull up. Where’s your bike?”
        “It’s been running sort of rough after . . . .” He stopped and looked around for a minute. “Besides, I didn’t want to alert you-know-who to my presence. He seems to have it out for me.”
        I patted the step for him to sit down next to me. “He hasn’t appeared this morning. Maybe ghosts like to sleep late.”
        “The town’s sirens seem to be useless these days.” Nick climbed the steps and sat next to me. He smelled heavenly.
        “I like the fragrance of the soap you use.” The words just sort of spurted out.
        He tucked his hair behind his ears and grinned. “Thought I’d spruce up before I came courtin’.  Even put on my Sunday best.”
        I laughed at his fake accent. “It’s Wednesday. And you’re wearing jeans and a t-shirt.”
        “Yeah, but it’s my best t-shirt.”
        “I can’t believe how warm it is still. I hope it stays forever. I dread snow.” I stretched my legs out to soak up the heat of the sun then pulled them right back. But not before he glimpsed them. I wrapped my arms around my knees.
        “You’ve got beautiful legs. Why are you hiding them?”
        “My legs are far from beautiful. It’s more obvious when I’m sitting; when I lay them out next to each other.” I could feel his gaze on the side of my face. I looked at him. He was incredibly